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Political party delegates moved into their second day of deciding who they favor for key races in top Minnesota races after marathon sessions Friday that made Amy Klobuchar the DFL-endorsed candidate for governor and Adam Schwarze the GOP-endorsed choice for U.S. Senate.

The twin conventions — Democrats in Rochester and Republicans in Duluth — are aimed at bringing clarity to top contests facing Minnesota voters this fall. But both parties are bracing for competitive summer primaries to officially select nominees.

Klobuchar, a four-term U.S. senator, won a first-ballot endorsement for governor early Saturday morning after DFL delegates hashed out whether she is progressive enough to solidify the party base. She is seeking to extend the party’s hold on an office the DFL has now held for 16 years.

The endorsement came after 12:30 Saturday morning after Klobuchar won 67 percent of the vote.

“With your support I will be the first woman to be elected governor of Minnesota,” Klobuchar said.

The party’s left flank sent a clear sign they would like her to adopt some more progressive stances. Some pushed for another candidate, Kobey Layne, to be nominated for endorsement. That gave both Layne and Klobuchar the opportunity to speak at the convention.

“I am running for every community that is tired of being harmed at the hands of our government, tired of being harmed by elected leaders who side with big money instead of the people,” Layne said. 

Republicans hoped Saturday to sort out who will face Klobuchar — or at least carry the party’s backing into a likely August primary.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth and former healthcare executive Kendall Qualls are seen as the top contenders for the endorsement. Both said they would leave the race if another candidate wins at the convention. But other candidates, including MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, have vowed to press forward no matter what delegates decide.

Republicans are almost certain to have a competitive U.S. Senate primary as well. 

Schwarze, a former Navy SEAL, scored a sixth-ballot victory in that endorsement race on Friday. He prevailed over a field of a half-dozen candidates that included Michele Tafoya, a former radio and TV sports broadcaster. She has the backing of top national Republicans and intends to take her case to primary voters.

In accepting the endorsement, Schwarze said he would power forward with his eyes on November. 

“You don't have to compromise on values. We can hold life. We can support our Second Amendment rights. We can support our First Amendment rights. We don't have to compromise on this race,” he said in his acceptance speech.

DFLers are sure to have their own primary to determine a nominee for the seat that Democratic Sen. Tina Smith will leave after this term.

In Rochester, they’re almost certain to give the endorsement to Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. That’s because U.S. Rep. Angie Craig opted to skip the convention altogether and go directly to the primary.

Several other statewide offices are on this years ballot. Democrats are seeking to hold the attorney general, secretary of state and auditor’s offices while Republicans want to pull off their first statewide victory in any race since 2006.

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On long opening days of their political party conventions, DFLers backed Amy Klobuchar for governor and Republicans favored Adam Schwarze for U.S. Senate. Delegates at both conventions make more picks on Saturday.

Delegates from across Minnesota listen to candidates speaking

Klobuchar, Schwarze notch convention wins with more races on tap for DFL, GOP

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