Loon turns back challenge over gay marriage

MINNEAPOLIS — State Rep. Jenifer Loon, the second-ranking Republican in the Minnesota House, has survived a primary challenge brought on by her vote in favor of gay marriage.

Loon’s onetime campaign manager, Sheila Kihne, decided to run after Loon voted last year to legalize gay marriage. Kihne called the vote a flip-flop for Loon.

Loon defended the vote on the campaign trail as the will of her constituents. And the Eden Prairie district apparently agreed in Tuesday’s primary, brushing off big spending from some family-value groups who sought to punish her.

Loon had her own backing from GOP groups who want the party to focus on fiscal issues rather than social issues.

 

Otto beats Entenza in auditor race

MINNEAPOLIS — State Auditor Rebecca Otto has survived a primary challenge from former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza.

Entenza dipped deep into his personal wealth to try to grab the Democratic nomination. But Otto had the party’s backing and cruised to an easy victory.

She advances to face GOP, Independence and Grassroots Party opponents in her bid for a third term.

The primary followed a short but heated campaign with Entenza. He was attempting to break back into elective office after failed campaigns for governor and attorney general. He poured more than $670,000 into his campaign and put Otto on the defensive over gay marriage and polling place restrictions.

With TV ads and mailed brochures, the contest was higher-profile than usual for an officer who mainly audits local governments.

 

Steve Simon wins DFL nod for top election official

MINNEAPOLIS — State Rep. Steve Simon is the DFL nominee for secretary of state.

Simon turned back two frequent candidates, Dick Franson and Gregg Iverson, in Tuesday’s primary.

The St. Louis Park lawmaker is seeking to replace outgoing DFL Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who chose not to seek a third term. He’ll face Republican Dan Severson.

 

Longtime Rep. Kahn turns back Noor challenge

MINNEAPOLIS — One of Minnesota’s longest-serving lawmakers has survived a primary challenge from a Somali-American activist.

Rep. Phyllis Kahn won Tuesday’s DFL nomination for her Minneapolis House district. She defeated Mohamud Noor, who harnessed the energy of the local immigrant community to give Kahn one of the strongest challenges since her first election in 1972.

Noor was hoping to become the first Somali-born state lawmaker in Minnesota and perhaps the nation. But Kahn took more than 54 percent of the vote to Noor’s 45.5 percent.

The district of the University of Minnesota and surrounding neighborhoods is heavily Democratic, and Kahn is seen as likely to win a 22nd term this fall.

The 77-year-old former biophysicist chairs the committee that controls arts and environmental funding in Minnesota.

 

Emmer takes 6th District GOP primary

MINNEAPOLIS — Tom Emmer has won the Republican nomination for the U.S. House seat vacated by retiring Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Emmer defeated Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah Tuesday to capture the GOP’s nod in the 6th District. It’s a political resurrection for Emmer, who lost the 2010 governor’s race to Democrat Mark Dayton in a recount.

Emmer was the frontrunner in Tuesday’s primary, with a money edge and the party’s endorsement. He’ll be a heavy favorite in November in a district that tilts sharply Republican.

He’ll face Sartell Mayor Joe Perske, a Democrat.

Emmer served in the state House from 2005 through 2010. After his loss to Dayton, he co-hosted a conservative talk radio show for two years before announcing his candidacy for Congress.

 

Obermueller has Kline rematch

MINNEAPOLIS — Democrat Mike Obermueller has advanced again to a November matchup with GOP U.S. Rep. John Kline.

Obermueller beat Michael Roberts, a former Army and National Guard veteran, in Tuesday’s primary.

Obermueller lost to Kline in 2012 by about 8 percentage points. Kline is seeking is seventh term.

 

Newman is GOP nominee for AG

MINNEAPOLIS — State Sen. Scott Newman has won the Republican nomination for Minnesota attorney general.

Newman, the GOP’s endorsed candidate, beat frequent candidate Sharon Anderson.

Newman, an attorney from Hutchinson, will face Democratic-Farmer-Labor incumbent Lori Swanson. Swanson is seeking her third term.

No Republican has won the state attorney general’s office in nearly half a century.