Hansen introduces bill prohibiting party conventions while the Legislature is in session

Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, has introduced legislation that would prohibit state political party conventions from taking place while the Legislature is in session. This year’s DFL and GOP state conventions are slated to take place in the latter part of April, just as legislators are seeking to wrap up their business at the Capitol.

“I think that we should be focusing on the business of government rather than the politics of endorsement,” Hansen says. “I think that most Minnesotans are not asking for longer campaigns. They’re actually asking for shorter campaigns.”

Currently eight legislators are running for governor, raising the specter that electoral politics could trump responsible governance. Most notably, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, will be juggling her leadership duties at the Legislature while also running for the state’s top office.

But Hansen, who hasn’t endorsed anyone in the gubernatorial contest, says the proposal isn’t motivated by any particular candidate. He’s uncertain about the prospects for passing the legislation, which is co-sponsored by Rep. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona, chair of the State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Election Committee.

“It will be difficult,” Hansen says, “but I think it’s important to have the debate.”

Hansen is also concerned about a proposal to move the primary election to August in order to accommodate absentee voters. He believes that it’s unnecessary, will potentially lower voter turnout significantly and sets up a longer general election campaign season.

“We should be looking at how we can shorten the campaign season, reduce the cost of elections and make the process more effective for Minnesotans,” says Hansen.

One Response to “Hansen introduces bill prohibiting party conventions while the Legislature is in session”

1. Gerry Drewry Says:
   February 5th, 2010 at 5:25 pm

   Your idea of no conventions during the legislative session is excellent. I hope you can pass it.

   We do need an earlier primary, especially while we have so many service people overseas. Many of their votes were not counted in the last election.

   Also — Thanks for the updates throughout the year. Not all legislators do that, and you let us know what is going on “behind the scenes.”

   Gerry