The Capitol Note: Ortman exits US Senate race

1) State Sen. Julianne Ortman left the GOP field for US Senate on Monday after handily losing the party endorsement over the weekend to businessman Mike McFadden.

Ortman exited the endorsing contest after the fifth ballot on Friday despite predictions that she was the frontrunner in the race. What looked like a non-endorsement that drew out the process over the course of two days fueled speculation that Ortman would have another shot at a primary, but she conceded on Monday.

“I encourage the Republican Party of Minnesota and its members to engage and assist women candidates and diverse candidates to run for office,” Ortman said in a statement. “Our campaign efforts in the next few months should stretch the Republican Tent as far and wide as possible.”

2) Lawmakers from both major parties attempted to keep the momentum from their conventions over the weekend going with campaign events on Monday, the Pioneer Press reports.

The four-way Republican primary for governor, the first serious contest in two decades, is the most competitive race after state Sen. Julianne Ortman’s exit from the US Senate contest. While Republicans took aim at Democrats, the DFL on Monday hit highlights of their two years in control of state government including investments in education and a more progressive tax system.

3) By early Tuesday, with just a few hours left before the deadline for candidate filings, four incumbent lawmakers hadn’t registered for re-election.

Those lawmakers were tabulated by Gary Carlson and include: Reps. Roger Erickson (DFL-Baudette), Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne), Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) and Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth).

COMINGS & GOINGS

• Gov. Mark Dayton and a group of local notables from the business and sports world will hold a 2:00 p.m. press conference in the governor’s reception room to kick-off the state’s efforts to win hosting rights for the NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball event.
• The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) is seeking a new executive director and campus organizing director, according to new job listings. Joshua Winters has held the progressive advocacy group’s executive director position since 2008; no announcement has been made public about his next move. The leadership position comes with a salary of up to $48,000, and has experience requirements that include financial and staff management with a nonprofit; more information here. The organizing director oversees canvasser activities, and requires that the individual have previous experience in grassroots advocacy; more information here.
• Anthony Meschke has registered to run as a Republican in House District 65A, the strongly liberal district now held by Rep. Rena Moran, DFL-St. Paul. Meschke is a former U.S. Marine, and works in research and development at Crown Iron Works in Roseville.
• The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual “PACnic” fundraiser at the Warehouse Winery in Minneapolis on the evening of June 18. Tickets are $100 if purchased before June 18, and $125 afterward. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Register here.
• Lobbyist David Everett has terminated his registration to represent the Minnesota State Baptist Convention, which he had advocated on behalf of since 2003. His change leaves that organization without a lobbyist currently on record.