Duluth political expert speaks on the weight of modern-day endorsements
DULUTH, Minn. — With caucuses around Duluth now complete, all eyes are turning towards the next steps in political campaigns across the state, but in an era of diverse and divisive politics, how much does an organization’s endorsement really mean?
“The Republicans tend to stick to them a little more than the Democrats,” said Dr. Cindy Rugeley, an associate professor of political science with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. “I know, four years ago, during the governor’s race, a couple of them dropped out after they didn’t get the endorsement.”
“(For) democrats, it really, in statewide elections in particular, hasn’t mattered that much,” said Dr. Rugeley
The local political expert said that political endorsements are still convenient for candidates seeking office, but not an end-all, be-all when it comes to getting elected.
“It does provide organizational strength (and) it does tend to send a message to the other candidate, you know, the candidates that aren’t winning,” said Dr. Rugely. “Beyond that, I’m kind of like, I don’t know that they make that big a difference.”
Dr. Rugeley says that rings especially true for non-partisan elections in Democratic hubs like Duluth, where candidates like the city’s current mayor, Roger Reinert, are showing that campaigns no longer run solely through party endorsements.
“You know, a lot of the parties don’t do endorsements, a lot of the states don’t, you know?” said Rugeley. “I think Minnesota is unique to the sense that it still does have these caucuses and these endorsements.”
“Mayor Reinert, for example, he initially thought he was going to seek the endorsement, then said, ‘I’m not going to’, and it didn’t make any difference because it’s a non-partisan race,” said Dr. Rugeley
While the seal of approval still carries weight, Rugeley believes that compelling candidates are being elected simply because they’re being themselves.
“I’m not going to say the caucuses don’t matter, because they do in the parties, you know, they do matter,” said Rugeley. “But at the same time, these candidate-driven campaigns are what matters more, the ability to raise money, the ability to have a message that attracts people, that’s what’s going to sell.”
With individuals beginning to take precedence over party, the good doctor is heading into the future with a little positivity for everyone.
“I’m hoping that what we’re going to see is candidates who are more encouraging (and) more positive,” said Dr. Rugeley. “I think that we’re undergoing a change, and I’m optimistic.”
