Liebling drops bid for Minnesota governor

Tina Liebling says she is ending her campaign for Minnesota governor, and will instead seek her party's endorsement for her legislative seat.

She released the following statement Monday morning:

"I launched my campaign for governor last year because I believe Minnesotans are looking for bold leadership that recognizes how poorly the economy is working for ordinary Minnesotans. With our nation experiencing an unprecedented concentration of wealth and power, Minnesota needs leaders to offer and fight for bold solutions, so everyone can have a future to believe in.

While our message has reached many people and we have received tremendous encouragement and support, it is clear that we cannot succeed in the DFL endorsement process. I am suspending my campaign for governor."

Liebling's exit from the race leaves three DFLers vying for the job being vacated by Gov. Mark Dayton, who is not seeking re-election in 2018: U.S Rep. Tim Walz, State Rep. Erin Murphy and State Auditor Rebecca Otto. On the Republican side, Jeff Johnson remains the frontrunner while former Gov. Tim Pawlenty mulls a potential bid.

Liebling, a progressive Democrat who supported Bernie Sanders for president in 2016, was first elected in 2004 and is currently serving her seventh term in the Minnesota House.  

Minnesota's DFL party will hold its 2018 state convention on June 1-3 at Rochester's Mayo Civic Center. DFL delegates will vote to endorse the party's candidates for the next governor and lieutenant governor, as well as secretary of state, state auditor and attorney general.

Cover photo: Liebling at a campaign kickoff event in Peace Plaza last April