DFLers gearing up to endorse candidate for governor

The state DFL party holds its state convention later this week in Duluth, Minn., to endorse a candidate for governor and for other offices.

When they meet in Duluth at the end of the week, about 1,300 delegates will have to choose from a big slate for governor. The list includes House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, state legislators John Marty, Tom Rukavina and Paul Thissen and former legislator Matt Entenza.

DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez said he's confident that Democrats will end their 24-year drought and win the governor's office this year.

"I'm fairly optimistic about the party's chances in November, especially after eight years of Tim Pawlenty's governorship," Melendez said. "We're going to be able to run against Tim Pawlenty the same way that we ran against George Bush in the last election. Even though they are not on the ballot, they leave a legacy that has hung around the party's neck and will not serve the Republicans well."

The DFL convention won't settle the question of who's on the ballot in November. Entenza, Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton and Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner have all said they'll run in the August primary regardless of the convention outcome.

Republicans meet on April 30 to back their candidate for governor.