Gaertner to run in Dem primary for governor

Democrat Susan Gaertner said today she will run in the DFL primary for Minnesota governor.

Gaertner had said earlier that she would drop out of the race if she didn't win the party's endorsement in April. On Tuesday, the longtime Ramsey County attorney said that plan was "too politically limiting."

"After spending a number of months campaigning within the closed quarters of DFL activists I am realizing that I'm not sure that they speak for the broader community of DFL primary voters and because of that I've decided to take my case to the primary," Gaertner said.

"I made the decision with the belief that the larger universe of primary voters in the DFL come this next August will respond to my message in a way that some of the activists have not."

Gaertner is one of 11 Democrats running for governor. At least two others are expected to appear on the Democratic primary ballot - former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton and former Minnesota House minority leader Matt Entenza.

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