Local DFL Candidates Emerge for 2012 Election

Three potential candidates will be vying for the DFL endorsement for the state senate seat currently held by  (R-Edina), when the group holds its convention this weekend.

Edina City Council Member Ann Swenson, Target Attorney Melisa Lopez Franzen and Cynthia Abrams, former Bloomington School Board member and head of PR at , have all declared their interest in being endorsed for the SD49 senate seat.

Local delegates will decide DFL endorsements for state represenative races in districts 49A and 49B, in addition to the aforementioned SD 49 senate seat. Ron Erhardt is the only candidate to voice interest in the 49A seat, while Paul Rosenthal is the sole name in the running for 49B.

Current GOP Representative Keith Downey (R-Edina) has said he will be running for re-election to district 49A, though Pat Mazorol will not be running for re-election to 49B.

Delegates will also decide who will represent the SD 49 area at the Congresstional District and State conventions, in addition to electing officers and directors for the SD49 Democrat organization.

The Senate District 49 DFL Convention is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 24, at Olson Middle School—4551 West 102nd Street—in Bloomington. Registration for the convention begins at 8:30 a.m.

Non-delegates are invited to observe the convention, but will not be able to vote.