In the beginning of this year, nobody thought we would have a competitive race in Minnesota's sixth district. The incumbant, Mark Kennedy, won with a 22% margin in 2002. But now, thanks to some great work by the DFL in recruiting candidates, we have a race that is receiving attention from both national parties and gives us a real chance to pick up another seat.
His opponent is Patty Wetterling. In 1989, Patty's son, Jacob, was abducted. He has never been found. In response to her son's abduction, Patty and her husband Jerry founded the Jacob Wetterling Foundation to protect children from sexual exploitation and abduction. Patty is very well known and respected here in Minnesota. In late July, Kos reported on a poll that showed a three-point race, with Patty getting higher name recognition that the incumbant Kennedy. Patty's favorable/unfavorable ratings were also significantly better than Kennedy's. Over the past five weeks, Patty has raised over $100,000 more than Kennedy. The St Paul Pioneer Press recently endorsed her; she was the only challenger in a national race to win their endorsement. She is police endorsed.
All of this has Kennedy very, very worried, and has resulted in a move that I believe could seriously hurt him. More inside.
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