See more of the story

Star Tribune reporter Anthony Lonetree sends this update from the field.

Standing before supporters at O'Gara's Bar and Grill in St. Paul, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer said that after a month of "5 Against 1" hammering at the hands of opponents, he looked forward to a new start against a narrow field.

"We get to introduce ourselves," he said of his upcoming campaign.

Wife Jacquie was at his side.

Also nearby were his mother, Patsy Emmer, and his sister-in-law, Molly Emmer. Asked what citizens should know about the candidate that they might now know already, Molly Emmer replied: "He's really down to earth. Really a family guy. And he has a lot of integrity."