Kelley drops out of governor’s race

DFL gubernatorial candidate Steve Kelley this afternoon dropped out of the 2010 race for governor.

Kelley, who launched his bid for governor in October 2009, finished toward the back of pack Tuesday in the DFL’s caucus-night straw poll. There were 11 candidates participating in the poll and the race for the DFL endorsement remains extremely crowded even after Kelley’s exit.

Kelley, a former DFL state senator from Hopkins, also tried unsuccessfully for the DFL endorsement for governor in 2006.

Kelley said he will support the DFL’s endorsed candidate for governor. The party will hold its endorsing convention in Duluth in April.

“To repair the damage done to our state, we must endorse a candidate in April, unite behind that candidate and win in November,” Kelley said.

2 Responses to “Kelley drops out of governor’s race”

1. Rex Newman Says:
   February 4th, 2010 at 5:21 pm

   How can one drop out of a race one was never in?

2. Karen P. Smith Says:
   February 5th, 2010 at 11:04 am

   I sincerely hope that Steve Kelly remains active politically in our state as he has a tremendous amount of positive plans, ideas, experience, integrity, and strength to offer us.