The party’s main task at its 2010 state convention will be anointing its official candidate for governor. Eight candidates who might conceivably be considered viable remain in the hunt; two besides Dayton have said that they will run in the primary, no matter what happens in an endorsement battle next Saturday that’s bound to be long and punishing.

St. Paul City Attorney John Choi is resigning after four years in the post. The move will allow him to focus on running for Ramsey County attorney.

The DFL primary is likely to have at least four candidates in the mix. Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner and former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza have all indicated that they intend to run in the primary. In addition, whoever gets the party's endorsement at this month's statewide convention will also be on the ballot.

There are two clear front-runners in the battle for the DFL gubernatorial endorsement: House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. By the only measures currently available – caucus straw poll, pledged delegates – they’re well ahead of the rest of pack of contenders. That will almost certainly remain the case when delegates assemble for the statewide party convention in Duluth at the end of April.

The Minnesota Women's Political Caucus has thrown its support behind DFL gubernatorial candidate and Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner.

Depending on your perspective, the Minnesota DFL State Central Committee's Voter Activation Network database is a cash cow, a valuable communication tool or a massive headache - or some combination of the three.

The DFL gubernatorial contest still appears wide open. Organized labor has failed to unite behind a single candidate. The money chase has also yielded little distance between the candidates.

Former state Sen. Steve Kelley raised $187,000 in 2009. He finished the year with roughly $40,000 cash on hand, according to his campaign.

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, one of a dozen candidates angling for the DFL nomination to run for governor in November, said Tuesday that she'll run in her party's primary if she doesn't get the endorsement.

Stonewall DFL is backing Matt Entenza for governor. The party's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender caucus cited his strong support for gay marriage in making the endorsement.