UPDATED: 12:06 a.m. Wednesday

Former state senator Kevin Dahle was endorsed as the DFL Senate District 20 candidate on Tuesday at the party's endorsing convention in Montgomery.

Dahle, a teacher at Northfield High School, will face New Prague's Michael Dudley, who was endorsed last month by Republicans.

"While I reaffirm my commitment to the party, I pledge to do my best to represent all Minnesotans, Republicans and Democrats, Independents, and others. When we stop working together, our Legislature becomes a haven for special interests and personal agendas," Dahle said, according to a press release from SD20DFL.

Dahle was unopposed and received the endorsement unanimously.

Redistricting moved Northfield from District 25 to District 20 for the 2012 election. The new legislative map left Northfield without its incumbents as both current legislators live outside the new District 20.

In the 2010 election that saw the DFL party lose control of the Legislature to the Republican Party, Republican Al DeKruif, a businessman from Elysian, received 15,272 votes, or 44.66 percent of the votes cast in the SD25 race. Dahle received 14,387 votes, or 42.07 percent of the votes. Independent John A. Grimm received 4,516 votes, or 13.21 percent of the votes.

Former state representative David Bly was also endorsed Tuesday night for House District 20B, which Northfield is now in. Bly served two terms as representative for House District 25B before losing his seat to Republican Kelby Woodard of Belle Plaine by 37 votes in 2010.

Bly, who retired last year as a teacher from Northfield Public Schools, bested Mick McGuire for the endorsement on the first ballot. Bly will face Lonsdale's Brian Wermerskirchen, who was endorsed last month by Republicans.

"I am proud to once again receive the endorsement of the DFL for a run for the Minnesota House," Bly said, according to the release. "I have a good campaign committee and we are ready to hit the ground running tomorrow.”  

Ryan Wolf was endorsed as the DFL candidate for House District 20A. He will face Woodard. 

In all, there were 117 delegates in attendance—94 from HD 20B and 23 from HD20A.

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