Jacob Littler, who managed Rep. Tom Rukavina's unsuccessful bid for the DFL gubernatorial endorsement, on Monday started a new job as 8th Congressional District field director for Mark Dayton's gubernatorial campaign, according to a campaign spokesman.

The Minnesota DFL and Republican conventions have just finished up on consecutive weekends, and together they have a lot to tell us about the state of democratic politics today.

TakeAction Minnesota did not pull the trigger with its ReNEW Minnesota voting bloc at the DFL convention last month — but it could have.

As the DFL convention stretched into its 12th hour on Saturday, the ReNEW Minnesota campaign faced a serious dilemma. A convention that minutes earlier had appeared destined to drag on for hours suddenly had swung toward a seemingly imminent endorsement of House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher.

A flyer distributed almost simultaneously with Tom Rukavina conceding and throwing his support behind Margaret Anderson Kelliher Saturday evening caused some grumbling among Paul Thissen delegates.

Prior to the kick-off of today's convention proceedings, the various gubernatorial campaigns held rallies outside the covention center in Duluth.

Paul Thissen's communications director offers a glimpse behind the scenes at the DFL convention: inside the war room of Thissen, who will be vying for the party's gubernatorial endorsement on Saturday.

Here's a quick run-through of some of the key stories taking shape on the convention floor in Duluth this morning, including the latest on the running mate muddle.

Pretty much anything could happen in Duluth. That’s how wide open the DFL gubernatorial endorsement contest remains as party activists gather this weekend to select the party’s nominee. There are two clear frontrunners — House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak — but also a trio of other serious challengers for the endorsement.

Heading north this weekend to steep yourself in DFL politics? Got questions? Fear not – we’re here to help.