DFL voting on whether to keep backing Chaudhary
Suburban DFL officials could take the rare step Monday of stripping their party endorsement from an incumbent state legislator.
State Sen. Satveer Chaudhary of Fridley has been under fire for his effort this past session to get new fishing rules for the lake where he owns a cabin.
A Senate ethics panel ruled his actions violated the "accepted norms" of behavior. Chaudhary also ran afoul of party rules by publicly supporting Mark Dayton for governor after the DFL endorsement went to Margaret Anderson Kelliher.
William Krueger, DFL chairman of Chaudhary's Senate district, said emotions are running high.
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"Several of the people on the committee consider themselves to be close to the senator. Some of them feel hurt. And that's true on both sides," Krueger said.
Krueger said central committee members will vote on Chaudhary's endorsement following a quasi-judicial proceeding.
"He's allowed counsel, and we're allowed counsel. Evidence is presented to the committee, and he's allowed to address the committee and present his side and why he is or isn't subject to this," Krueger said.
If the vote goes against Chaudhary, the endorsement could end up going to former state Rep. Barb Goodwin, DFL-Columbia Heights, who is challenging Chaudhary in the Aug. 10 primary.