Sen. Tina Smith holds off Richard Painter, will face Karin Housley in historic matchup
State Sen.
Smith agreed. "It is a year when women feel particularly enthusiastic about stepping into the public arena, and I think that's a good thing," she said in an interview.
Two women who won primaries Tuesday in
The
Smith's victory was "a testament to the trust that
Sen.
Smith attributed her win to the fact that she "really listened to people." She'll employ the same strategy against Housley, she said. "The way elections are won in
Housley said she'll continue in the fall campaign to work hard and talk about jobs, the economy, trade issues' effect on farmers, and immigration. "I will continue to support our elders," she added.
She's confident about her chances against Smith. "I am going to win," she said.
Smith, 60, was appointed to the seat by Gov.
Housley, 54, is from
Painter, 56, who announced in April that he was leaving the
Painter said his campaign helped call attention to ethics issues and to single-payer health care, which he endorsed. "We got a lot of attention around the country," he said in an interview. He'll resume teaching, Painter said. Asked if he'd consider running for office again, he said, "I don't know. I'll think about it."
Voters interviewed at the polls Tuesday said their decisions in the Smith-Painter race turned on support for his animosity toward President
In late July, the DFL's Martin publicly questioned whether Painter is actually a Democrat. Martin described Painter's candidacy as "a craven act of desperation" because he is out of sync with the
West Foster, 24, of
When Housley and Smith meet in November, Trump's policies and the senator's record will be the top issues.
Smith has pledged to "stand up" to Trump. However, she has said she doesn't think voters "want to hear us only talking about what we don't like about this president."
Housley has tried to establish some distance between her views and style and those of the president. For example, she said this summer that she disagreed with his decision to separate immigrant families.
Painter's candidacy forced Smith to focus on wooing DFL voters. Meanwhile,
Housley made frequent references to the "failed Dayton-Smith administration," citing MNsure and the beleaguered vehicle registration system.
The fall campaign is sure to become an expensive national battlefield, with outside TV ads flooding the airwaves and national interest groups' money flowing into the race.
As of
Retired nurse
___
(c)2018 the Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Visit the Star Tribune (Minneapolis) at www.startribune.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
FASB Improves Accounting Guidance for Insurance Companies That Issue Long-Duration Contracts
Study says California utilities should only pay for wildfires if they are negligent
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News