The man from Chisholm is supporting the man from Virginia.
U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Chisholm, Tuesday announced he plans on supporting state Rep. Tom Rukavina's bid for the DFL gubernatorial nod.
Oberstar said his fellow Iron Ranger, known for being a scrappy if sometimes intemperate fighter at the Capitol, is " is unafraid to take on the challenges and issues of our time."
He said that he planned to support Rukavina's campaign even before state Sen. Tom Bakk, a fellow Iron Range Democrat dropped out of the race this month.
Despite what he called his "deep friendship" with both state lawmakers, Oberstar said: "I was planning to give Rep. Rukavina my support…it just happened that tom Bakk withdrew." Oberstar said he's lent his support to DFLers in contested endorsement races before.
Rukavina said he's a contender for the DFL convention endorsement.
"The race for the DFL nomination is wide open, and I'm excited about earning Jim Oberstar's vote. I'll be working to encourage uncommitted delegates to follow Mr. Oberstar's lead," Rukavina said.
According to various estimates there are between 450 and 500 undecided delegates among the 1,300 going to the DFL state convention. Five candidates have pledged to drop out if they do not win delegates' nod. Rukavina is among those five. As to what may happen with the governor's race, Oberstar said: "Our DFL party is notorious for surprises."
Oberstar is the third Democratic member of congress to make a pick in the governor's race. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison last year gave former state Rep. Matt Entenza his support (and Ellison's former campaign manager became Entenza's campaign manager.) U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum late last year said she would support former state Sen. Steve Kelley's bid. Kelley has since dropped out and McCollum has not made a second showing of support.
Update:
A McCollum spokesman said McCollum would hold off any any second endorsement choice until at least after the April 17 4th District endorsing convention.
