Marty supporters looking at Rukavina

Posted at 6:38 PM on April 24, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

State Sen. John Marty of Roseville has dropped out of the DFL endorsement for governor after two ballots at the state party convention.

Marty said 10 percent (136 votes) was not where he expected to be. He lost 3 percent from the first ballot.

"The trend wasn't right, we weren't going to win," Marty said. "I've never been in a race just to make a point. I've been in a race to win. And I think our issues are the right ones."

During a sometimes emotional concession speech, Marty told the convention that he changed the course of the debate with his advocacy for single-payer health insurance and same-sex marriage. He also pledged to run for reelection to the Minnesota Senate.

Afterwards, Marty said he had told his supporters who the best remaining candidate was on those issues, but he declined to make it public. A Marty supporter said the recommendation was state Rep. Tom Rukavina.

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