CD-03, is anybody running against Jim Ramstad?

[Demrock6]

I heard some talk about Deborah Watts running again. Anybody have the scoop?

Although Ramstad is not a kool-aid drinking Republican he still needs to be challenged.

[dflprincess]

1. The last I heard was

the Deborah Watts is still exploring the possibility of another run. I also heard that there is another person who may be looking at running. I was told he would also be a good candidate, but the person telling me this (who is in a position to know) was very mysterious about who this other person might be.

I also heard from someone who attended several of Ramstad's recent community meetings that he was nearly crucified at them. Jimbo is not used to his constiuents behaving this way and apparently, at one, he accused the crowd of having been sent by Moveon.org - which resulted in more calls for his crucifixtion.

[katinmn]

2. I hope Deborah Watts runs. She was great at the John Edwards rally

last fall.

Very sharp, articulate and progressive.

[Demrock6]

3. I met Watts there last time as well.

I hope someone steps up soon.

[yankeefanatic3]

4. I am A 3rd district resident...Pass this msg along

And I was happy to see Ramstad get the lowest margin of his career in 2004. Whoever this candidate is, someone needs to inform them to make SOCIAL SECURITY the #1 issue and get Jim to say whether or not he supports privatization. 60% of the district doesn't support it.

This district is rather Libertarian---but it's swinging Democratic. Bush only won it 51-49%.

I think a State Senator that's popular in the Brooklyn Park area, Anoka, Champlin, those areas should run. Someone who has wide name recognition so the highly Dem population of those can run and get out the vote over there.

Watts was relatively unknown---she performed well though but not significantly...65-35% was the race final results.

My recommendation would be any well known and popular Democratic State Sen or Congressman in the Brooklyn Park area.

Ramstad has voted with DeLay just as much as pretty much the average Republican. He breaks on SOME issues, but none significantly. He can't com home and call himself a moderate when he votes with the leadership so much.

[goodhue]

6. Who would you suggest?

"My recommendation would be any well known and popular Democratic State Sen or Congressman in the Brooklyn Park area."

Perhaps State Sen Linda Scheid fits your recommendation.
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/bios/sendis46.htm

But I doubt she is very well known outside Senate District 46.

Importantly the 3rd includes Plymouth, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina and Bloomington.

http://www.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/gis/c2002/pdf/03.pdf

[yankeefanatic3]

7. Senator Scheid or Rep. Hilstrom

Yes, she would fit it perfectly. How long has she been a legislator there? Is she relatively popular? GEnerally, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Edina are relatively strng Republican areas. For a Democrat to win in this district, they need to turn out their base big time (Brooklyn Park and somewhat of Bloomington) and gain certain voters in the other cities. Bloomington and Brooklyn Park are among the highly populated. There are virtually no "known" Democrats in those Republican cities mentioned that can run------so my strategy would be to turn the usual base in Brooklyn Park and get a good Dem turnout in Bloomington, and then work to persuade independents in the other cities. (Bush won this district 51%-49% to Kerry)--so if the Anti-Bush crowd votes for the Dem and we gain a few more, Ramstad could be ousted. It'll be an uphill battle, but I think if State Rep. Debra Hilstrom or Sen Scheid ran, we could pull it off. Or, perhaps a popular mayor of Brooklyn Park (no clue).

[suegeo]

5. Ramstad IS a Kool-aid drinking republican

I don't know who is running against Jim, but whoever it is, they have my vote.

Ramstad is a rightwing kook, I live in his district and get his newsletters. In one, he was posing with Grover Norquist. I also saw some footage of when Newt Gingrich took over, and Jim intro'd him and shook his hand.

Ramstad is NOT moderate. He is not a RINO, despite what the foaming at the mouth fascists on hate radio preach.

[MnFats]

8. Bloomington, Edina went for Kerry...what can we glean from this?

might be able to tag Rammer with the SS plan, which he loves.
he gets points for hating 'no child' though.
tough to beat him.
DFL needs one hell of a candidate...

[yankeefanatic3]

9. We

We need any Dem that's popular in an area with high turnout

[dflprincess]

10. We also need someone

with enough money to do a lot of TV advertising so they get their name out to the whole district. As a rule, the 3rd District race has been pretty low key.

[Eric J in MN]

11. I wish a Hollywood star would move to MN and run against him.

I don't think a regular candidate could beat him, since the district is too Republican.

If a famous actor like Josh Hartnett ran against Jim Ramstad in a non-presidential year like 2006, then maybe enough fans of that actor would turn out for victory.

[Demrock6]

12. Ish not me.

Movie people need to stay movie people.

[Eric J in MN]

13. I don't think any ordinary politcian statnds a chance against

Jim Ramstad, given how Republican CD 3 is.

[mngatorman]

14. It will take hard work.

I would love to have a chance at Jim Ramstad. I have
contacted the DFL that action needs to start now. I was
told that Deb Watts might run again, but I cannot get a
firm answer.

[hermetic]

15. Hello and welcome to DU!

Thinking of running for office? You'll find a lot of support, at least verbal, here in the Minnesota Forum.

[katinmn]

16. This is Watts' campaign site from last year

I'd like to see her run again but so far, no sign of it.

http://www.deborahwatts.com/index.htm