Now a DFLer, will Ron Erhardt also annoy his new party?

Downey, a former government consultant, has become the face of Republicans' move to redesign and reform state operations, a position that has put him in the limelight as ire rises just across the border in Wisconsin over anti-union proposals. Whether he likes it or not, the legislation has dramatically raised his profile in St. Paul.

Republicans pummeled DFLers in the suburbs and greater Minnesota on Tuesday night to take control of both chambers of the Legislature for the first time since the modern partisan era started in the early 1970s.

Political action committees and legislative caucuses have already done mailings assailing the opposition. But now that the campaign has entered the final month, the rough-and-tumble race for the Legislature is kicking into high gear.

In May 2008, Republican activists in House District 41A voted not to endorse nine-term moderate Republican incumbent Ron Erhardt. They were frustrated, in part, by Erhardt's vote to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto of a transportation bill that increased the state's gas tax. Instead Republicans in the Edina district threw their support to political neophyte Keith Downey.

The month of March witnessed several interesting endorsing conventions for state legislative seats. In many instances, the conventions sorted out who will carry their party’s banner in November. In other cases, the endorsed candidates are being challenged in a primary. Here’s a rundown of what occurred at some of the notable conventions from the month past.

Former GOP state Rep. Ron Erhardt is considering a couple possible paths for his political future including a DFL primary challenge.

Former GOP state Rep. Ron Erhardt of Edina is exploring a run for his old House seat as a Democrat.

After losing a net two seats in Tuesday’s state House races, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, is undecided about whether to seek another term ...