Capitol View: March 31, 2010 Archive

Ellison visiting Saudi Arabia

Posted at 7:25 AM on March 31, 2010 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House, U.S. House

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is in Saudi Arabia today. The second term Democrat says on his Twitter feed that he made the trip with business leaders:

I am in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) w/ 16 Minnesota businesses building bi-lateral business relationship. Had 11. Growing.

Ellison also said on his Twitter feed that he met with a Muslim leader on the trip.

Had an excellent meeting w/ the Custodian of the Two Holy Sites yesterday. Very wise and intelligent man.

Custodian of Two Holy Sites is King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of of Saudi Arabia. 85 yrs. Focused on modernizing very traditional nation

I contacted Ellison's spokesman to find out how long he'll be in Saudi Arabia, who he's traveling with and who paid for the trip. I'll post the information if/when it becomes available.

Update: Ellison's spokesman says Ellison's trip was authorized and paid for by the Foreign Affairs Committee on which he sits. You can find the full list of participants here. It includes members of the Minnesota Trade Council, Faegre & Benson LLP and Hormel.

Update: Ellison's Twitter feed on Thursday says he's in Israel:

In Israel, driving thru rolling hills into Jeruselam. Beautiful scenes juxtaposed w/ apparent bedoin poverty. Settlements visible from hwy.

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Marty picks Torres Ray as running mate

Posted at 10:06 AM on March 31, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

State Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, has become the first DFL candidate for governor to select a running mate.

Marty announced today that state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, DFL-Minneapolis, is joining his campaign. Torres Ray is a first-term legislator. She was the first Latina elected to the Minnesota Senate. During a news conference, Torres Ray said Marty has a clear, bold vision for the state that she wants to share with disengaged voters.

"John and I want to reach out to those who feel like they do not have a voice in government, and we want to bring them back to the table," Torres Ray said. "We want to get people excited about politics."

Marty has said he will abide by the DFL party endorsement, which will come next month at the party's state convention in Duluth. State Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, is the only Republican candidate for governor who has announced a running mate.