Ahead of next Tuesday’s DFL special primary in Senate District 66, the statewide teachers union Education Minnesota has endorsed Rep. John Lesch to succeed former Sen. Ellen Anderson.
Lesch, DFL-St. Paul, is running against former Rep. Mary Jo McGuire and attorney Steve Marchese for the DFL nomination. The winner of the special primary will face Republican Greg Copeland in the April 12 special election in the heavily DFL district. Anderson resigned after Gov. Mark Dayton appointed her to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
Lesch has represented House District 66A since 2004. McGuire, who has been endorsed by District 66B Rep. Alice Hausman, served in the House from 1990 to 2002. Marchese is a political newcomer.