DFL treasurer quits

Posted at 4:29 PM on June 26, 2006 by Bob Collins (6 Comments)

The blog, Rambling from the North, carries a letter from DFL Party treasurer Kerry Gauthier, who has resigned from the party, in order to work on non-endorsee Becky Lourey's campaign for governor.

The letter says "I also respect my party and the requirements of office."

Is supporting the endorsement now a requirement of holding a job?

Comments (6)

Under the DFL constitution/by laws, party officers are to work for endorsed candidates.

Posted by sjs | June 26, 2006 7:08 PM

More or less yes. I've been on Nominations committees before. To hold a DFL party office position you have to swear to support the endorsed candidate.

Posted by Jenna | June 26, 2006 7:10 PM

By "swear to support," does that also include "vote for"?

Posted by Bob Collins | June 27, 2006 9:26 AM

I'm not sure about the "vote for" part, but that's what's great about the American political system - private balloting. But being a public party leader should entail the responsibility to publicly support those candidates whom your party has endorsed. Do what you want in the ballot box, but if you're going to work for the party, you damned well better toe the party line, Democrat or Republican. Gauthier did the right thing.

Posted by MN Campaign Report | June 27, 2006 10:15 AM

The DFL bylaws imply nothing about the actual vote of a DFL staffer or official. However, you cannot campaign against an endorsed candidate while holding a staff or official position within the DFL.

Posted by blankout7 | June 27, 2006 10:26 AM

So Gauthier put his desire to have Becky Lourey elected above Gauthier's employment? That's a heck of an endorsement, right there.

Posted by Bob Collins | June 27, 2006 12:26 PM

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