President Barack Obama endorsed a slate of candidates for Minnesota’s statewide elections Monday, but some high-profile Democrats were conspicuously absent from his list.
Obama’s list of endorsements spanned 22 states and more than 100 candidates running for state and federal office, including gubernatorial candidates, their running mates, attorney generals, and state legislators. In Minnesota alone, Obama endorsed a total of 17 candidates, such as newcomers like Dan Feehan and Dean Phillips, but his long-time Democratic ally Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN-05) was not included.
Ellison, who is facing Republican Doug Wardlow in the race for Minnesota attorney general, has spent most of his campaign running from two domestic-abuse allegations.
“Today, I’m proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren’t just running against something, but for something—to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote,” Obama tweeted Monday.
Today, I’m proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren’t just running against something, but for something—to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote: pic.twitter.com/NO5jnhX3XD
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 1, 2018
Obama also snubbed Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minneapolis) who is now running to replace Ellison in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District. Omar gained national prominence in 2016 after she was elected the nation’s first Somali-American lawmaker, an accomplishment the former president has said surprisingly little about.
While Obama did offer his support to Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), he neglected to include Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), whom some consider a potential 2020 presidential candidate.
In Minnesota’s gubernatorial race, Obama endorsed Democrat Tim Walz and his running mate Peggy Flanagan in their tight race with Republican Jeff Johnson.
“We are deeply honored to receive President Barack Obama’s endorsement. He knows that there is more that unites us than divides us and the importance of our hopeful, optimistic vision for One Minnesota,” Walz tweeted, with Flanagan adding that Obama’s “hopeful view of America mirrors our vision for One Minnesota.”
We are deeply honored to receive President @BarackObama’s endorsement. He knows that there is more that unites us than divides us and the importance of our hopeful, optimistic vision for #OneMinnesota. Join us: https://t.co/klcmLd875W pic.twitter.com/KuejFKGleA
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) October 1, 2018
“We are thrilled to have his endorsement,” she said. “Despite the divisive politics at the national level, we know that we can come together around our shared values and build a better Minnesota for all.”
President @BarackObama’s hopeful view of America mirrors our vision for #OneMinnesota. We are thrilled to have his endorsement. Despite the divisive politics at the national level, we know that we can come together around our shared values and build a better Minnesota for all. pic.twitter.com/Jgtnbp3MMZ
— Peggy Flanagan (@peggyflanagan) October 1, 2018
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
