Pawlenty included the cuts in his unallotments earlier this year. The ad showed an image of Pawlenty and the representatives and implied that they supported cuts to renter’s credits. The HRCC charged that the ad was misleading:

The HRCC maintains that the statements in the advertisements and on Respondent’s website that “GOP allies,” “GOP friends” and individual representatives were responsible for the reduction in the renters’ credit are false because Governor Pawlenty’s decision to use the unallotment statute was made by him alone.

The panel of judges, though, disagreed, saying it isn’t misleading to associate a politician with a position they publicly support:

“The record demonstrates that Representatives Seifert, Emmer and Zellers have all taken public positions in the past in support of reducing the Renters’ Credit program and all have been vocal supporters of Governor Pawlenty’s use of unallotment to cut funding of programs in 2009. The statement is at most an unfavorable deduction based on the Representatives’ past positions and conduct.”

Hat tip: Politics in Minnesota

Tom Emmer, Marty Seifert

On Minnesota Public Radio’s Midday program on Wednesday, Republican candidates for governor, Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert both said they supported Arizona’s new immigration law that directs police to check people for proof of citizenship. In fact, Emmer said it didn’t go far enough.

“I think what Arizona has done is a wonderful first step,” he said.

“I’m very disappointed at the federal government that seems to be now taking issue with the state of Arizona for doing what most of us expect should be done,” Emmer said. “Enforce the laws, and if you don’t like the laws, then change them.”

Seifert said he liked the Arizona law, among others.

“I like Oklahoma, I like Arizona. There’s a number states we are going to model legislation after and try to pass it.”

“We all know that good people make mistakes, and that Tom Emmer’s arrests were made some time ago,” Berg wrote. “But to the Democrats, the liberal news media and left-wing bloggers who create and then spread ‘news’ for widespread circulation, that won’t matter.”

Emmer’s campaign chair Rep. Mark Buesgens went after Seifert’s gubernatorial campaign.

“We’re all used to October surprises by the Democrats, but we never thought Marty would sink so low to launch this April surprise against a fellow Republican at the last minute before the convention,” said Buesgens. “The fact is that Tom has been upfront with delegates about this issue. They were the subject of a newspaper article last year, and Tom has been very forthcoming about his actions to anyone who asked.”

“Marty Seifert will do anything to win this nomination and he’s clearly more concerned about his own political future than he is about the well being of the Republican Party and our ticket,” said Buesgens. “We are confident delegates will see this desperate attack for what it is and join the Emmer campaign as we take the high road to victory. Perhaps Marty should read his own published code of ethics: ‘Any member of the Seifert for Governor team that engages in negative campaign tactics of a personal nature … will be fired.’”

Emmer also sent an email to campaign supporters.

Drinking and driving is unacceptable.

Like many, when I was young and stupid, I did young and stupid things. I have taken, and always will take responsibility for my mistakes. I was fortunate that I did not cause physical harm to my family or, God forbid, to another and their family. I have used my life experience to be not only an example but a teacher to my own children and anyone I come in contact with to learn from my experience.

I understand my colleague Marty Seifert and his desire to win at any cost, and I know that politics can be a contact sport for many. But even I have to say this attempt to smear my good name (in light of the fact that I have long been public with my past) reaches a new low and ignores the understanding and compassion for others in Minnesota who, after making the same mistake, have gone on to be some of the best leaders and teachers in this state.

I hope everyone, including Rep. Seifert and his political professionals, will keep in mind that it is not only what we have done in our life that matters – it’s what we’ve learned from it. In fact, I not only take full responsibility for my past, I believe it is all of my life experience that has prepared me to lead.

The Seifert campaign defended itself in a statement Wednesday:

“Republican activist and state convention delegate Sandra Bergs family was victimized by a drunk driver. As a result, she was moved to share important information with fellow Republican state convention delegates about Tom Emmers record: two past DWI arrests; his efforts in 2009 as a legislator to weaken the states DWI laws and cover up the fact he broke them; and not sharing this information when asked about a possible October surprise at a recent candidate forum. Sandras letter provides factual information about a vital issue for the delegates to consider: the electability and credibility of candidates. At her request, the Seifert campaign distributed her letter. While there is much in common between Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer on the issues, there are differences too. Marty will continue to run an issues-based, substantive campaign to lead Minnesota forward.”

—Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria), District 34A

—Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul), District 66A

—Margaret Anderson Kelliher, state House Speaker and Democratic gubernatorial candidate

—Marty Seifert, Republican candidate for governor

—Lynne Torgerson, independent candidate for U.S. House, District 5

—Tony Sutton, state GOP chair

—Alliance for a Better Minnesota

—Minnesota AFL-CIO

—Michael Brodkorb, deputy chair of the Minnesota GOP

—Marty Seifert, GOP gubernatorial candidate

—Tim Pawlenty, Republican governor of Minnesota

—Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Democratic candidate for governor

—Jim Meffert, Democratic candidate for U.S. House (3rd Congressional District)

— Greg Knutson, GOP House candidate (District 5A), Hoyt Lakes

Image: Kevinzhengli

Rasmussen Reports released some of the first polling numbers on Minnesota’s gubernatorial race on Thursday, finding that for the most part Minnesotans are undecided about who they like for governor. And with a diluted field for the DFL, no candidate did well against both of the top Republican candidates, Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert.

Mark Dayton and R.T. Rybak fared the best against Emmer, both beating him 38 percent to 35 percent. None of the DFL candidates bested Marty Seifert, though, but Rybak tied him at 38 percent.

Among Republicans candidates, Emmer had the best net favorable rating — 38 percent favorable and 26 percent unfavorable — but 36 percent said they weren’t sure how they felt about him. Seifert garnered the support of 41 percent polled, but 33 percent found him unfavorable. Twenty-seven percent were undecided.

Among DFLers, only Rybak (49 to 37 percent) and Tom Bakk (27 to 22 percent) had a net positive rating. Mark Dayton had the highest favorable rating with 44 percent, but an even higher unfavorable rating at 45 percent. Of those polled, 39 percent liked Margaret Anderson Kelliher, but 41 percent didn’t. Matt Entenza had similar numbers with 27 percent and 31 percent. Tom Rukavina had an even split with 27 percent approving and the same disapproving.

“It just didn’t look very likely that we would be able to make sufficient progress,” Hann said.

Politics in Minnesota points out that Hann could very well have a race on his hands to keep his Senate seat, noting that his Eden Prairie district has been trending toward the DFL in recent years and voted for Obama in 2008.

Hann said he hadn’t made a decision about who he’ll support for the Republican  gubernatorial ticket for governor, and both frontrunners, Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert, offered praise for Hann following his announcement.

Tom Emmer:

Senator Hann raised the level of debate in this race considerably. He articulates the conservative message in a manner that voters can understand better than almost anyone in our party. I am glad he’s running for reelection to the Senate so this voice won’t be lost.

Marty Seifert:

“There has been no stronger voice for our core conservative principles than Senator David Hann.
David’s first-rate intellect and deep understanding of policy issues is unmatched in the legislature. David has been a champion for meaningful education reform in Minnesota – there is no greater expert on education policy. David is proof that Republicans win in swing districts when we stick to our principles.

I have admired David’s courage on the campaign trail in expressing his values – pro-life, pro-family, and faith in God. David understands that the building blocks of a strong community are faith, family, and education – a sentiment I share. I wish David all the best and look forward to working with him in the future.”

Clockwise from top left: Bakk, Rukavina, Rybak, Pawlenty, Emmer and Seifert

A straw poll results from Tuesday night’s political caucuses continue to trickle in, gubernatorial candidates RT Rybak and Margaret Anderson Kelliher are taking the top spot in the DFL, while Marty Seifert is garnering a large number of votes on the Republican side. Early results for the Independence Party show Tom Horner taking the lead, but voting for that straw poll will continue online until Feb. 28.

Turnout was generally low despite a large number of candidates vying for the seat soon to be vacated by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. But DFL turnout was a bit higher than the GOP’s, bucking pundits’ expectations that an energized GOP base in the wake of the Tea Party movement and a win by Scott Brown in the Massachusetts Senate race last month would deliver more GOP caucus-goers.

A number of the 26 or so gubernatorial candidates have responded to the straw poll results.

Iron Range DFLer Tom Bakk maintained a positive outlook despite placing 7th in the poll (8th including uncommitted) out of 11 candidates. “My campaign has continued to build momentum throughout the last year,” he said in a statement. “We have worked hard to gain the support of Minnesotans across the state and from Hallock to Houston County we are seeing the results. The straw poll results reinforced what we have known for months. There will be a number of strong candidates vying for the DFL endorsement at the convention in April.”

Tom Rukavina, who shares an Iron Range background with Bakk, fared a bit better in the straw poll, coming in 4th.

“I’m humbled and energized by last night’s results,” he said in a statement. “This goes to show that a little money and a big, refreshingly honest message has made me a contender at the DFL convention. When I entered this race last November, few people gave me a chance. Last night, we exceeded expectations, and I’m just getting going.”

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak said his campaign appeared to be the straw poll winner with 80 percent of DFL caucuses reporting by mid-afternoon Wednesday. The campaign released a statement saying that Rybak had done well outside Minneapolis.

“[I]t shows that people are connecting with us in every corner of Minnesota, from Duluth to Hutchinson to Minnetonka to Eagan,” said Rybak. “We’ve been out meeting folks in every corner of our state, talking honestly about what we can accomplish together when we change our politics and put people and jobs first.”

Among GOP candidates, Marty Seifert barely won a majority votes among caucus-goers at 50.03 percent.

Seifert used the opportunity to slam DFLers:

It is amazing that nearly as many Republicans turned out for caucuses as Democrats last night. Just two years ago, DFL turnout was three times higher than Republican turnout. As I travel the state, it is clear that the DFL message of higher taxes, increased spending, and more government intrusion is falling flat with Minnesotans. Last night’s DFL caucus turnout confirms this.

He doesn’t note that a heated primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may have had something to do with the record-breaking 2008 turnout.

Seifert continued, “At this point in the race, our campaign is the only GOP campaign with a statewide grassroots network and the financial resources necessary to wage an aggressive campaign for the endorsement and for the general election.”

Seifert’s primary competition, Tom Emmer, got 40 percent of the Republican vote. The Emmer campaign noted that “Emmer actually polled four points better than Governor Pawlenty did in 2002, going on to win the nomination against a better funded opponent.”

Emmer Campaign Manager David FitzSimmons said, “The race begins today. We are closing the gap and feel really good about our momentum as we head to the all-important delegate phase. These results exceeded our expectations.”

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning …

OWATONNA: Al Franken stumps for Jason Engbrecht. Massachusetts’ isn’t the only special senate election. [Waseca County News]

MINNEAPOLIS: Something besides benefit concerts. Freelance musicians can get annual checkups through new program. [Workday Minnesota]

MARSHALL: Marty Seifert preens. He’s on top among GOP guv candidates now that Coleman’s out. [Star Tribune]

DELANO: Tom Emmer begs to differ. He’s working his University of St. Thomas connections to close the gap with Seifert. [Politics in Minnesota]

MINNEAPOLIS: Teamsters back Mark Dayton. It’s his second union endorsement; six DFL guv candidates can lay claim to labor support.  [Politics in Minnesota; Polinaut]

STATEWIDE: Everything’s earlier on electoral calendar. And Seifert can’t wait for the State Fair. [Minnesota Public Radio]