Democrats are putting a priority on finding a candidate to replace state Rep. Kerry Gauthier of Duluth, but they also are looking into legal options for having Gauthier's name removed from the ballot.
"I will tell you that the focus right now ... is on the process for endorsing a new DFL candidate in 7B," said Zach Rodvold, the House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus campaign director. "All of the potential options we're looking at for a fair election start with the local folks calling a convention and endorsing someone to be our candidate. Nothing can be done before that happens."
Kate Monson of the state
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party said a convention is expected soon to pick a new candidate. She didn't know how many potential candidates are looking into the race.
John Schwetman, chairman of the 7th Senate District, said Duluth DFLers will focus on nominating a new candidate for the seat, leaving ballot questions to state officials.
ADVERTISEMENT
Schwetman said 7B delegates will be given notice over the weekend about an endorsing convention. After allowing 10 days, the chairman hopes to have a convention in early September.
"We're working on that in very short order," Schwetman said. He said it is the local delegates' job to get behind one DFL candidate, whether as a write-in or with a name printed on the ballot.
Duluth City Councilor Jay Fosle has entered the 7B race as a write-in and said he would not seek DFL endorsement. Another write-in candidate, Duluth Assistant Fire Chief Erik Simonson, welcomed the DFL getting behind one candidate.
Attorneys are checking on whether there is any way to remove Gauthier's name and replace it with a new candidate.
"At this point, we are still working with our legal team to explore all of the options that we have," Monson said.
Gauthier announced Wednesday that he would not continue his re-election campaign after earlier in the day vowing to stay in the race despite revelations that he met a 17-year-old boy for oral sex at a Duluth rest stop.
Monson said party officials are working with Gauthier to see if he would back their effort to remove his name from the ballot.
The DFL goal is for one person to represent the party on the Nov. 6 ballot. If Gauthier's name cannot be removed, the only option is a write-in campaign against Republican Travis Silvers.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I don't think anyone really wants multiple write-in candidates," Monson said. "There is a real spirit of people wanting to get behind one candidate."
While the secretary of state's office says there is no provision to remove a legislative candidate from the ballot at this late date, DFL lawyers are looking into whether there could be a court case.
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said any changes to the statewide ballot must be made by Monday. However, a local race could be easier to change.
Democratic leaders have made no decisions about their route.
"It is a very fluid situation," Monson said.
News Tribune reporter Mike Creger contributed to this report.
