Following the 8th Congressional District DFL's deadlocked convention in Duluth over the weekend, the News Tribune sought the competing parties for their assessments of the race now that it included a primary in August to determine the DFL nominee.
Republican Pete Stauber said he was focused on building delegates in his still unopposed run to the party endorsement in May.
Independence Party candidate Ray "Skip" Sandman, of Duluth, reached out late in the day on Monday.
With potentially five Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidates going to primary in August, Sandman saw evidence to make room for even more.
"What this means for our team is that we will still be talking about the real issues that matter here in the 8th District - and letting the people know that there is more than just the two-party system as some would want people to think," Sandman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He wished the DFL candidates - Jason Metsa, Kirsten Kennedy, Joe Radinovich, Michelle Lee and a contemplating-for-now Leah Phifer - "good luck."
Sandman will be on the November ballot, having already earned his party's endorsement earlier this year. The open seat in the 8th Congressional District came about following Rep. Rick Nolan's retirement announcement in February.
