Farmington Republican caucus draws crowd

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Thompson, Garofalo make showing

by Laura Adelmann
Thisweek Newspapers

Farmington-area Republicans turned out in force to the Feb. 7 caucus at Boeckman Middle School, filling the auditorium.

Rousing cheers welcomed State Rep. Patrick Garofalo’s challenge: “Let’s beat Barack Obama in 2012.”

In precinct discussions, residents debated their choices for presidential candidates.

One precinct discussed whether they should support the candidate who best matched their views or the one they thought could beat Obama.

A majority in that precinct voiced support for Rick Santorum, several stating they thought he filled both criteria.

Both candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich were called “big government progressives,” and Ron Paul was described as having “baggage.”

One woman said she liked Paul’s plan to restore America, but was impressed with Santorum because he’s not a “typical politician.”

Before visiting the Farmington caucuses, State Sen. Dave Thompson announced his endorsement of Santorum; he shared that the Lakeville Republican caucus he’d been at was “standing room only.”

Some Farmington precincts easily passed resolutions supporting voter ID at the polls and opposing what they called “government takeover of health care.”

Republicans statewide voted for Santorum, although the poll was not binding, meaning delegates can cast their ballot for any candidate.

Santorum won in all precincts except Lakeville 12, which selected Romney as their candidate, according to House District Chair Martha Johnson.

In Farmington, Republicans cast 169 votes for Santorum; Paul came in at 88 votes; Gingrich had 47 and Romney was in last place with 34 votes cast. There were also three write-in votes for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Lakeville precinct 1 cast 12 votes for Santorum, seven for Paul and Gingrich and Romney each earned five votes. In Lakeville’s 12th precinct, Romney won the straw poll with 24 voters; Santorum was in second place with 16 votes, Paul had 13 votes and Gingrich came in last with nine votes.

At the Democratic caucus, which met at Farmington High School, things were much quieter.

A group of 30 attended the caucus, and organizer Steve Quist said all voted for Obama.

He said there were several resolutions passed opposing voter ID measures because they said it would take away voting rights from some poor, elderly and disabled people.

Republicans have backed the constitutional amendment to ensure election integrity and prevent fraud.

Farmington DFLers passed several other resolutions, including one opposing a constitutional amendment on gay marriage, another for increasing student loan funding and a resolution opposing a right-to-work amendment.