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  MN 6: Wetterling Turns Focus to Bachmann After Clinching Nod
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ContributorEric 
Last EditedEric  May 15, 2006 07:40pm
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News DateTuesday, May 16, 2006 01:40:00 AM UTC0:0
DescriptionChildren’s advocate Patty Wetterling emerged this weekend as the Democratic Party’s choice for the 6th Congressional District seat that Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy left open to run for the Senate. Wetterling’s now virtually certain nomination will pit her against conservative Republican state Sen. Michele Bachmann in what is expected to be a pitched battle.

Wetterling won the party nod when her sole opponent — Elywn Tinklenberg, a former state transportation commissioner and an ordained minister — conceded the race during the 6th District Democratic convention Saturday in Monticello. Tinklenberg gave in after Wetterling fell just shy of the 82 delegate votes she needed to win the endorsement.

Although other candidates could attempt to petition their way onto the Sept. 12 primary ballot by the July 18 candidate filing deadline, Tinklenberg’s decision not to do so is expected to clear Wetterling’s way to concentrate on the general election campaign against Bachmann.

Bachmann secured the GOP endorsement the previous weekend at that party’s caucus in Monticello, easily beating out businessman Jay Esmay and two state representatives, Jim Knoblach and Phil Krinkie.

The race will be a study in contrasts. Wetterling gained prominence as a child safety advocate after the 1989 abduction of her 11-year-old son, who never was found; she positions herself as a centrist and, like most Democrats, is sharply critical of President Bush on many issues. Bachmann, who has a record of success as a candidate, mainly stands by Bush and is best known for advocating socially conservative agenda items such as a ban on same-sex marriage.
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