Gov. Mark Dayton is in Bemidji today meeting with Mayor Dave Larson and other city officials in Bemidji, along with state Rep. John Persell and staff from the DNR and MnDOT, to discuss bridge issue.
(He'll try to mediate a small dustup between the city and the state over what the signs on the newly built bridge should say: "Welcome to Bemidji," or "Paul Bunyan State Trail." How about both?)
Dayton also will stop by Bemidji State University to join a rally with the College Democrats in support of several DFL legislative candidates.
Dayton's popularity exceeds the Republican-led Legislature, polls show, so he's using some of that political capital to help try to get a DFL majority back in St. Paul.
The 1 p.m. rally at the Lower Hobson Memorial Union is designed to encourage support for DFL candidates and motivate students to get to the polls.
Candidates who'll be there with the governor are:
- Sen. Tom Saxhaug, District 5
- Rep. John Persell, District 5A
- Roger Erickson, running in District 2A.