GOP’s Kline hangs back in race to pick successor
Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline is withholding his endorsement for now in the GOP scramble to succeed him because he's not yet sure who will have the right mix of campaign money, visibility and message.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Kline made clear he hoped former judge and former Minnesota first lady Mary Pawlenty would have entered the 2nd Congressional District race.
But she declined, so the retiring congressman is still assessing who among a stable of Republicans in the hunt has the best chance to hold the swing-district seat. Whomever emerges from an August primary is likely to face former health company executive Angie Craig, who has the inside track for the Democratic nod.
The candidate selection process gets under way with the March 1 caucuses, which begins the process of picking delegates to the respective endorsing conventions. It's possible that the Republican contest will stretch into August because not all candidates have pledged to abide by the endorsement of party activists.
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Over coffee Monday, Kline offered his assessment of the leading GOP candidates:
Of manufacturing company owner Darlene Miller, Kline said he likes her chances and thinks she "brings a lot. But clearly one of the things she needs to bring is the ability to raise money. But we don't know that yet since she got in after January."
Of former conservative talk radio show host Jason Lewis, Kline said his biggest asset is high recognition from his days on the air. "He spent a lot of time -- his life -- with a microphone in front of him so he speaks well. He hasn't raised money like I think he needs to, so we'll have to see how that plays out. Jason of course has to be a little bit careful because he spent a lot of years making himself 'Mr. Right' and so he'll have to work that. He's a smart guy so we'll see how he works through that."
Of former state Sen. John Howe and former state Rep. Pam Myhra, he said each suffers from low name recognition. "Both Howe and Myhra have experience in the Legislature, which they may be able to translate. Fundraising has been very low. Sen. Howe has loaned his campaign a lot of money."
Kline had fewer things to say about two others seeking the Republican nomination: engineer David Gerson, who previously ran against him, or former Democratic campaign aide David Benson-Staebler.
Meanwhile, party heavyweights on the Democratic side continue to coalesce around Craig after her main opposition left the race.
On Monday, Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar all endorsed the Eagan resident. Craig, who used to be a corporate leader at St. Jude Medical, is striving to become the first openly gay member of Congress from Minnesota.