The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party held its Second Congressional District convention on Saturday, May 3 in Faribault. Senate District 34, which covers Carver County and a small part of Scott County, had 14 delegates participate in the convention, according to a District 34 press release.

The main business of the convention included a congressional endorsement and election of delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

A special meeting of the Victoria City Council was conducted last night to discuss the resignation of City Administrator Steve Sarvi.

Earlier this year Sarvi, an Iraq War veteran, declared his run for the Second District U.S. Congressional seat currently filled by Republican Rep. John Kline.

Delegates to the Republican Second Congressional District Convention March 29 unanimously endorsed both Sen. Norm Coleman and Congressman John Kline and elected Watertown Mayor K.J. McDonald as a Republican National Delegate at Minnesota’s Republican Second Congressional District convention, according to a Carver County Republicans press release.

There were 63 candidates vying for the three National Delegate spots. McDonald was elected, along with Joe Repya and Diana Bratlie, by the 309 delegates to the GOP Congressional District 2 (CD2) who met in Northfield.

According to a press release...

The Internal Revenue Service announced that individuals who normally do not file a tax return but must do so this year in order to receive their 2008 economic stimulus payment can now use the IRS Free File program to help them file returns for 2007.

Second District Congressional Candidate Steve Sarvi is launching his second listening tour, with a stop in Chaska on Mon., Feb. 18.

Sarvi will travel the district, making 15 stops in seven days. His Chaska stop will focus on health care and will be at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18 at Chaska American Legion Post 57, 102 West Fourth Street.

You can watch this evening’s live video webcast of a debate between three DFL candidates for U.S. Senate by going to www.electioninfo4u.com at 7 p.m.

The debate features Mike Ciresi, Al Franken and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, who are among candidates seeking the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Norm Coleman.

The event is being held at Rainy River Community College in International Falls and is co-sponsored by the International Falls Daily Journal. 

Residents crowded caucus locations in Chaska Tuesday night as they waited to cast their presidential preference ballots for DFL and GOP hopefuls. Here are a selection of images from the evening. (Photos by Mollee Francisco and Mark W. Olson)

By Mollee Francisco

For Anne Fleming, of Chaska, Tuesday night’s caucuses were her opportunity to put a good word in for presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.

“This is my way of getting her on the ballot,” said the first-time caucus-goer.

“I’m trying to keep McCain from being elected. Go Romney!” said Ward 3 resident Roy Henderson, during Monday night’s Republican caucus in Chaska.

Henderson wasn’t alone. Mitt Romney handedly carried Chaska during the Republican caucuses on Tuesday night, with John McCain a distant second.

The unofficial results of the straw poll:

Mitt Romney: 214

John McCain: 71

Mike Huckabee: 44

Ron Paul: 41

Alan Keyes: 0

Total votes: 370

The 2008 political season will begin in earnest at precinct caucuses scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 5.

The three major parties in the state are scheduled to have caucuses throughout Carver County.