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Kelly Doran's DFL Candidacy Raises Questions About Prior Political Activities

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Kelly Doran, a self-financed candidate for the DFL gubernatorial nomination, has come under fire for his past political activities, which he claims are consistent with his "lifelong Democratic" credentials. However, critics argue that his Democratic contributions are recent and coincide with his early announcement as a U.S. Senate candidate, before switching to the gubernatorial race. Doran's defenders see the criticism as evidence that he is being taken seriously in the DFL field.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kelly Doran, a self-financed candidate for the DFL gubernatorial nomination, has been accused of having inconsistent Democratic credentials due to recent donations and past support for Republican candidates.
  • Doran claims to be a "lifelong Democrat" and has given over $35,000 to DFL candidates in 2004 and 2005, but critics point to his donations to House Republicans during the same period as evidence of his inconsistent political views.
  • Doran's backers see the criticism as a sign that he is a threat to the DFL establishment, citing the fact that high-profile DFL opponents like Attorney General Mike Hatch and state Sens. Steve Kelley and Becky Lourey are taking aim at him in public and through private attacks.
  • The criticism of Doran's past actions has led to a lively debate within the DFL about the importance of party loyalty and the role of independent wealth in state politics.
  • Doran has maintained that his campaign will not engage in negative tactics, despite the criticism he is facing.

Statistics:

  • Kelly Doran has given over $35,000 to DFL candidates in 2004 and 2005.
  • Doran has donated $250 to the House Republican caucus in 2004.
  • According to Doran, his opponents have spent around $10,000 in attacks ads criticizing his past political activities during the first two weeks of the DFL primary contest.
  • The Fund for a New Economy, a group backing Attorney General Mike Hatch, has released a memo criticizing Doran's past actions and questioning his commitment to the DFL.
  • The money spent on anti-Kelly Doran attack ads so far in the DFL primary contest is a fraction of the money spent by DFL opponents on ads criticizing Republican primary contenders.

Sources:

  • Woodbury Bulletin (n.d.)
  • State DFL Chairman Brian Melendez (letter to Kelly Doran)
  • Kim Millman (Burnsville activist) via e-mail to fellow DFLers
  • Kelly Doran (letter to State DFL Chairman Brian Melendez)
  • Republican blogger (reported by Kelly Doran's campaign)
  • Kelly Doran's memo to supporters (via e-mail)
  • Tonya Tennessen (Kelly Doran's spokeswoman)
  • Dane Smith (Woodbury politics, Staff Writer)

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