DFL endorsing convention adds to scramble for Rep. Keith Ellison's seat in Congress

DFLers vying for U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison’s seat were met with a fresh challenge Friday as the DFL Party announced a special endorsing convention on June 17 in Minneapolis.

The rapidly approaching convention gives candidates just over a week to win over party activists and donors in the state’s most reliably Democratic stronghold, where Ellison racked up commanding re-election victories before his abrupt decision to run for Minnesota attorney general.

The race intensified earlier Friday when DFL Gov. Mark Dayton endorsed first-term state Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minneapolis, saying in a statement that she’s shown “tremendous leadership” at the Minnesota Capitol and will champion progressive values in Congress.

http://www.startribune.com/scramble-on-to-replace-u-s-rep-keith-ellison/485010681/