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WhiskeyGrinder

(27,288 posts)
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 06:19 PM 3 hrs ago

Sources: Sen. Amy Klobuchar threatened to leave DFL convention during challenge from left

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/sources-sen-amy-klobuchar-threatened-to-leave-dfl-convention-during-challenge-from-left/

While backstage at the Democratic-Farmer-Labor convention Friday night, Sen. Amy Klobuchar loudly declared her frustration and said she was going to abandon the convention after delegates nominated a 26-year-old progressive activist as an alternative to Klobuchar for Minnesota governor, according to two people who overheard the senator’s remarks.

The two DFL activists were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about what they witnessed backstage and fear reprisals from the Klobuchar camp.

Klobuchar would go on to overwhelmingly win the party endorsement on the first ballot with 68%.

But that came after something of a scare, when DFL activists nominated Kobey Layne, a former Minnesota legislative assistant who said that Klobuchar’s candidacy was “the coronation of yet another corporate Democrat.”

Klobuchar expressed outrage to her staff and said that she was going to forgo the convention rather than go through additional speeches and a Q&A, according to the sources, who could clearly hear what she was saying while backstage.

(snip)

ince there were two candidates for the DFL endorsement for governor, Klobuchar and Layne had to give 15-minute pitches to delegates and field some questions. Klobuchar was chosen to speak first, but she didn’t immediately appear on stage, causing an awkward pause in the convention proceedings.

After a few minutes, Klobuchar emerged. During her 15-minute pitch, she had tears in her eyes as she described how she intends to create a state government that solves problems. Klobuchar was at times visibly shaking, and her voice wavered.

Klobuchar’s campaign for governor declined to comment about the overheard outburst. A spokesperson noted that Klobuchar didn’t leave the convention.
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hlthe2b

(114,848 posts)
1. Damn. I really like Klobuchar. She listens and is not so rigid she can't incorporate the views
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 06:30 PM
2 hrs ago

of others in many areas, yet still stands up to the MAGATs and doesn't take Trump's misogynistic and crude bullshit. Her experience is vast and I don't blame her for being taken aback at the thought of nominating someone with zero practical experience to oppose her after decades of her work on behalf of DFL. Any accusations of being a "Corporatist," rings pretty hollow compared to the billionaire oligarchs on the "right."

I'm sure the fact that that individual was considered a "progressive activist" will bring some in to excoriate Klobuchar (and perhaps me for supporting her) but I really don't give a damn. There is a place for younger candidates and certainly more progressive idealists, but can we please not piss this upcoming election away? And yes, that INCLUDES governorships.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,288 posts)
6. That she does not love to be spontaneous or meet an unscripted moment.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 08:01 PM
1 hr ago

It'll be Minnesota-interesting to see how she does in an executive position, rather than a legislative one.

Ocelot II

(131,464 posts)
4. Obviously a performative gesture on the part of whoever the hell that was,
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 07:11 PM
2 hrs ago

wanting to make a "statement" knowing they had no chance of getting the endorsement. This kind of thing happens pretty regularly at these gatherings. Reminds me a bit of what's going on in Maine - Do they want a candidate who can beat Collins, or not? Do we in MN want a candidate who can beat Qualls, or not? Democrats have an annoying tendency to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,288 posts)
7. It's also a good way for the presumptive candidate to get a read on how many and from where their less-vocal supporters
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 08:04 PM
1 hr ago

might be coming from. For a smart campaign, dissent can be useful.

Sweet Rosie Red

(159 posts)
8. A Primary should not be a coronation!
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 08:06 PM
1 hr ago

The challenge was simply an assertion by the Left that “Hey, we exist!”. Klobuchar will have to pay attention and nod in that direction as she campaigns and governs. At the same time, there have been Democratic candidates in other states who were fielded and funded by the right to split the vote. We have to be careful! We can’t go back! Too many have sacrificed too much to risk the gains we have made these last several years. I will support Klobuchar. Her deep roots in DC qualify her as few others.

Klobuchar has my brain. Peggy Flanagan has my heart!

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