Ordinarily I probably wouldn’t bother to blog this, but this is no ordinary election cycle in the matter of loud, proud, open bigotry as a “successful” electoral strategy. A wingnut named AJ Kern is challenging Rep. Tom Emmer from the right, for the Republican endorsement. (I’m not suggesting that Emmer is not a wingnut, too. He is. Just, a matter of degree.) I don’t know whether she plans to abide, or if she’s unsuccessful would go to a primary.
Many Americans living in St. Cloud, Kern’s sphere for influence, do agree with her anti-Muslim views. Starting at the (St. Cloud) Times last spring, Kern has been doggedly criticizing the Somali refugees who have poured into the city in recent years. Kern’s main crusade: Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Charities, which sponsor the refugees, are “de facto government bureaucracies” rolling in taxpayer dough while Americans, read: white, Christian Americans — suffer in poverty.
(City Pages)
Significant right-wing players in Minnesota politics have been voicing unhappiness with Rep. Emmer for quite some time. I’m not claiming that he’s in serious electoral trouble, right now. But the way things are going, who knows?
Comment below fold.
Comments
From Mac Hall: Considering his stances on foreign aid, Cuba, and rejecting government shutdown talk, this is not a surprise … yet the TEA Partiers should be happy with a number of votes which he aligned himself with the Freedom Caucus such as the recent trillion dollar omnibus spending bill.
In the end, the challenge will only help Emmer look more moderate than he is for the general election … and remember he has over $200,000 cash on hand and can be expected to raise $1 million in 2016.
From Mac Hall: BTW … Tuesday is primary day in Ohio … not only will they vote on President but also candidates for Congress. While incumbent Dems in the House are void of challengers, there are a number of incumbent Republicans being challenged (Districts 2, 7 and 14) … so it could be an indicator of how strong the TEA Party is if they pull another Eric Cantor-type “surprise”. Also, they will select candidates to replace John Boehner.
When you consider the talk of changing the Minnesota caucus system, the question will be do they make that change for the legislature also … right now, even if Kern was endorsed, Emmer could challenge him in the August primary … when more people are more likely to participate.
