Caucus 2010: It's Anderson Kelliher for Dems in Fergus

By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 06:49 a.m., February 3, 2010

The message was clear Tuesday evening inside the Fergus Falls High School cafeteria, where local members of the Democratic party gathered to kick off this year's gubernatorial campaign.

Though those in attendance didn't all agree on who the next Democratic candidate should be, they did all share common ground when it came to their hopes for 2010: Minnesota needs a Democratic governor.

With the goal of being their choice, gubernatorial candidate Steve Kelley made an appearance at the caucus meeting to drum up support for his campaign.

Kelley stopped in Fergus Falls between visits in Wilkin and Grant Counties, where delegates were selected Tuesday evening.

"We think this race is about the delegates," Kelley said.

Between the two counties, Kelley made the decision to stop in a town he says he's always been fond of.

"Stopping in Fergus Falls was a perfect fit," Kelley said.

Though Kelley's statements drew applause and cries of agreement from those gathered, it wasn't enough to carry him through in an unofficial straw poll taken at the caucus meeting.

Kelley, who spent time visiting with party members following his speech, received just three votes. Margaret Anderson Kelliher led with 17 votes, followed by Tom Bakk with nine votes. R. T. Rybak received eight votes.

Considering straw polls are an unofficial tally vote taken to determine where local party members stand, many of those in attendance were driven by a need to have their voice be heard.

"I just believe this is really where citizenship starts," said Deborah Zachman, who said she'd be there regardless of which party was currently in the governor's seat. "I want to be a part of it."

Sitting next to her was Perry Werner, who said caucus night gave him the opportunity to get involved at the grassroots level.

"This is where it starts," he said. "We are the voice."

That was the the theme throughout the room, where people gathered expressed a need to be active, rather than just sit back and complain.

Larry Barber has been attending caucus meetings since 1974. Though the issues may have changed from year to year, he hasn't been able to justify a reason to not get involved.

"I have a voice," Barber said. "If I don't do this, then I don't (have a voice)," he said.

This year, Barber has his eyes specifically set on the healthcare debate.

"We have to do something about healthcare," he said.

Those who attended the caucus meeting also voted on resolutions, in addition to the straw poll.

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