Senjem endorses Seifert, Wigley backs Emmer

The state Senate’s top Republican leader Dave Senjem today announced he’s supporting  Rep. Marty Seifert’s bid for the GOP endorsement for governor.

Senjem, R-Rochester, told reporters that Seifert, R-Marshall, has the “right temperament” to be governor.

Meanwhile, the other front-runner for the GOP endorsement, Rep. Tom Emmer, today announced he’s received backing from Taxpayers League of Minnesota founder Mike Wigley. Emmer, R-Delano, has a 92 percent lifetime voting record in the League’s legislative rankings. In 2009, Emmer was one of six legislators that received a 100-percent score from the Taxpayers League and the designation as one of the “Best Friends of the Taxpayer.”

Seifert and GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty were named as the League’s “2009 Heroes of the Taxpayer.” The League praised Seifert for holding the GOP House caucus together in 2009 when he served as minority leader. Seifert has an 85-percent lifetime ranking from the Taxpayers League and garnered a 93 percent ranking in 2009.