Senate District 4 Democrats endorse House candidates

Senate District 4 Democrats endorsed House candidates on the first ballot at their 2004 endorsing convention March 28 with 185 delegates and alternates attending the convention in Bemidji.

William Weis of Pine River was endorsed in District 4B, which includes most of northern Crow Wing and southern Cass counties and parts of Hubbard County. Weis ran against incumbent representative Larry Howes, R-Walker, in 2002. Weis was unopposed for the endorsement.

Weis is a chef and food service manager at Grand View Lodge.

"Education funding -- at all levels -- and environmental issues are two of the main areas of difference I have with our current representative," Weis told the delegates. "My campaign is already under way, and I plan to knock on doors throughout the district, meeting voters and hearing their ideas, from now to November."

Frank Moe of Bemidji won the DFL endorsement in District 4A over John Persell of Bemidji on the first ballot. DFL rules require 60 percent to achieve an endorsement. Moe has been campaigning against incumbent Doug Fuller for almost one year, while Persell started his endorsement effort last fall.

Delegates heard from Sen. Rod Skoe of District 2, immediately to the west of District 4, and Rep. Loren Solberg of District 3B, immediately to the east of District 4. Both DFL representatives issued harsh criticism of the priorities and programs of the Republican governor and House majorities.

"Northern Minnesota is not well served by the Republican agenda, and we need to win a DFL majority in the House of Representatives in November," said Solberg. Delegates responded enthusiastically to this challenge.