Overheard at the Capitol: Messinger’s money won’t back a Melendez-led DFL

Most of the criticism of DFL state party chair Brian Melendez in the wake of Election Day has been confined to the liberal blogosphere. The three-term incumbent could likely survive those barbs.

But a much more important DFL supporter — wealthy donor Alida Messinger — is also apparently opposed to Melendez remaining as party chair. According to a reliable DFL source, there won’t be any checks arriving in DFL coffers from the Rockefeller heir if Melendez remains in the post.

Of course, Ken Martin, the person most often cited as a potential rival for state party chair, is closely aligned with Messinger. He chaired the Win Minnesota Political Action Fund, which played a key role in the governor’s race. The group’s largest individual donor: Messinger.

3 Responses to “Overheard at the Capitol: Messinger’s money won’t back a Melendez-led DFL”

1. Frank Horn Says:
   December 8th, 2010 at 2:45 pm

   How can you write an article about Alida Messinger and Minnesota DFL politics and omit that she is Mark Dayton’s ex-wife?

2. Gary Gross Says:
   December 9th, 2010 at 5:20 am

   Frank, The Minnesota liberal media will never admit that. The good news is that this is great news for Republicans. It’s apparent that the Daytons want to take over the DFL. Happy days are here again.

3. Kelly Says:
   December 10th, 2010 at 12:28 pm

   Would that mean that she was also funding “Alliance for a Better Minnesota”? I didn’t know that Alida Messinger was Mark Dayton’s ex-wife either.

   You can stop sending me invitations to subscribe to PIM if that is the type of journalism you provide.