It was a tale of two caucuses

It was bitterly cold and blustery on the first Tuesday in February in a big statewide election year as the political party faithful held caucuses here and across the state.

Precinct tables for all of the county were set up at the Four Seasons Sports Complex and Event Center in Carlton, where Republican organizers were gleefully surprised by a turnout of about 125 people. They were busy early on setting up new tables for the people who just kept coming into the upstairs room with windows overlooking the ice sheet.

There are 39 precincts in the county and some tables had to be combined.

Organizers were often greeted with the phrase, "What do I do? I've never done this before."

It was quite the opposite for Democrats, as the county organization set up drop-off locations for comment sheets from those wishing to express their thoughts on a party platform and or their interest in serving as delegates at county, district and state conventions, as a way to avoid spreading Covid. A few people at a time could be seen at locations such as the cafeteria at Cloquet High School or a hallway at the Cromwell-Wright school.

Patty Murto, the former Democratic chairwoman who is now mentoring her replacement, Terri Thell, said the contactless version of the caucus likely "confused people" and led to a lackluster turnout.

Thell said there were 70 sheets turned in. Those who did so but without indicating whether they wanted to be delegates are still eligible to serve, since the party didn't fill out its delegate slots.

Murto said another important item on the forms Democrats returned was whether or not people wanted to serve as election officials at the polls in November. She said that considering what is happening across the country with polling place rules and observers, it's important to have people there to look for any "nefarious stuff."

Crowded room

The top item for Republicans was a straw poll for the growing number of candidates for governor seeking to unseat Democrat Gov. Tim Walz.

Republican chairman Tony Sheda of Wrenshall said Scott Jenson easily won the poll with 73 votes.

Statewide, Republicans also leaned toward Jenson, a former state senator who netted 38 percent of the votes from all state caucuses. There are other former state senators in the race as well as a Twin Cities area former sheriff. The candidates expect a heated battle to get on the November ballot.

Sheda was inspired by the turnout, despite things being a bit "chaotic," and told the crowd, "I'm almost on my hands and knees begging you to come" to monthly party meetings. He said he knows there are plenty of like-minded folks out there who are "pro life, second amendment, and small government."

The monthly meetings usually have a core group of 20-some people, Sheda said.

Jeff Dotseth of Kettle River will again take on District 11A's Rep. Mike Sundin in the fall election. Sundin, from Esko, was first elected 10 years ago, in 2012.

Dotseth was also inspired by the turnout Tuesday night. "This is as grassroots as it gets," he said. He introduced his wife and father, and talked about growing up a Democrat until "the party left us."

He warned the audience of a "far left" agenda in school curriculum, fighting crime and overreach in telling businesses what they can and can't do.

There wasn't a mask on any face in the crowd and there were agreeing head nods when Dotseth said, "you know what's best for your health."

After the straw poll, the Republicans discussed the issues at each precinct table, offering up a few dozen resolutions that local party leaders can present at the district meeting next month for consideration in the party platform.

Democrats will do the same with the information gathered Tuesday.

Sheda said the Republican crowd "reflects what's going. People are scared." He said that comes from looking at the geopolitics of Russia, Iran and China; and the economy and gas prices.

"There's a fear out there. Uncertainty," he said.