Jeff Anderson, Duluth city councilor, Thursday announced that he will bypass the DFL endorsement process as he seeks the 8th Congressional District seat now held by Congressman Chip Cravaack.
“After more than a year of campaigning, I am convinced that anyone who strongly and unapologetically supports our 130-year history of mining and a future of good jobs for our kids cannot win the DFL party endorsement at the convention in this congressional race,” Anderson wrote in a statement to supporters and members of the media Thursday.
Earlier this month, former Minnesota Sen. Tarryl Clark, who is also seeking the seat, said she would run for the position regardless of the outcome of the endorsement process.
Former Congressman Rick Nolan, who is also seeking the 8th Congressional District seat, has said he will seek the DFL endorsement at the 8th District convention, which will take place May 5-6 in Duluth.
Anderson said it will take a vote of 107 of the 178 delegates at the convention for the nomination.
“This race is too important for our region for me to turn my back on the thousands of voters across this district that depend on these jobs, but cannot participate in this endorsement process to have their voices heard,” Anderson wrote in his statement. “Jim Oberstar and Mark Dayton ran in primaries because they knew their campaigns were meant to give the people a voice. Following their lead, I look forward to a vigorous contest in the DFL primary.”
A primary vote, to determine which of the candidates would move onto the November general election, would take place Aug. 14.
