Reply #3: Kelliher is Dems' choice for Minnesota governor

[a kennedy]

DULUTH, Minn. - House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher outlasted a slew of rivals Saturday to emerge as the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's choice for governor.

Kelliher wrapped up the endorsement after a daylong floor battle that ran to six ballots and did not end until Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak conceded shortly after 11 p.m.

Kelliher becomes the first woman backed by a major-party for the state's highest elected office. No woman has been governor of Minnesota, and Democrats haven't held the office since 1990.

``Are you ready to make some history? Are you ready to make history together?'' Kelliher asked the convention as she accepted the endorsement.

Kelliher's path to November is far from clear, with three major Democrats - former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner and former state Rep. Matt Entenza - committed to run in the primary.

In his concession, Rybak called for all three to step aside for Kelliher.

``The stakes right now are too great for us to delay and divide any longer,'' he said.

About 1,350 DFL activists convened at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center to make their endorsement.

full article: <http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_b9b38f96-5054-11df-98d9-001cc4c03286.html>