Minnesota is facing the choice of newcomers in the race for state Attorney General among the major party nominees: DFL'er Lori Swanson and Republican Jeff Johnson.
The other candidates -- Independent nominee John James and Green nominee Papa John Kolstad -- are not realistic choices considering their very low poll numbers.
Swanson has served as a top aide and solicitor general to Attorney General Mike Hatch during his tenure and entered the race following Matt Entenza's withdrawal. She says she will continue Hatch's example of a consumer defender and protector.
She defeated two well-known DFL candidates in the September primary. However, there is concern about how big a shadow Hatch might cast if elected governor.
Johnson is a three-term House member from Plymouth. An attorney, he has his own firm involved in employment law and human resources. He is seeking to break the DFL's 36-year hold on the office.
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A native of Detroit Lakes, Johnson is running on a crime-fighting platform seeking to reassert this role. He also understands the office's consumer protection role and the role of being the state's primary law firm.
Johnson should be elected attorney general.
