DFL candidates vie for Pogemiller’s former Senate seat

Two candidates have already jumped into the race to fill the Senate Distict 59 seat left open by the departure of former Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller.

Jacob Frey, a Minneapolis attorney and organizer of the Big Gay Race against the proposed constitutional marriage ban, declared his candidacy last week.

Then late this weekend, Peter Wagenius, the policy director for Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak and son of Rep. Jean Wagenius, announced his candidacy.

In a statement, Wagenius energetically condemned cuts to jobs, schools and services by the Republican legislature.

“The people of Senate District 59 want to know that state government is on their side, that action is being taken to improve the economy for everyone.  But instead they see cuts to jobs, schools and services that people depend on. They see a tax system that tilts more and more against the middle class,” Wagenius said. “That’s wrong–and we need to stand up and fight.”

District 59 covers the area around the University of Minnesota and Northeast Minneapolis. The special election primary will take place on Dec. 6, with the special election taking place on Jan. 10, 2012, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State.

There’s also an election planned on those days to fill House seat 61B vacated by Jeff Hayden when he was elected to the Senate last month in another special election. There are currently three DFL candidates filed in that race: Susan Allen, Josh Bassais and Nelson Inz.