Peterson endorsed for re-election in Minnesota's 7th District

MAHNOMEN -- U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson was endorsed Saturday at the 7th Congressional District DFL Convention in Mahnomen.

More than 160 delegates attended the convention at the Shooting Star event center.

Peterson was endorsed on a voice vote majority that was "pretty overwhelming," said newly elected associate chair Ione Yates of Clarissa. Peterson has served in Congress since 1990 and is a former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Peterson was nominated by Earl Anderson of Marshall County. Seconding speeches were made by LaVonne Froemke of Polk County, Tim Velde of Yellow Medicine County and Diane Ista of Clay County, according to former 7th District associate chair Allison Myhre.

No other candidates were nominated at the convention.

Yates said the convention included a video tribute to retiring and former members of the Legislature and a tribute to the late state Sen. Gary Kubly of Granite Falls.

Peterson and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar spoke at the Saturday evening banquet, as well as Jeff Blodgett, state director of the Obama re-election campaign in Minnesota.

Paul Wright of Hutchinson was re-elected district chairman.

Six delegates were chosen to attend the Democratic National Convention including Jessica Rohloff of Willmar.