McKasy drops out of U.S. Senate Race
Karen Boothe, 7/24/96

Former State Commerce Commissioner Bert McKasy has dropped out of the race to seek the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Paul Wellstone.

Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports:

[sfx, music from convention]

In May, Bert McKasy stood before delegates to the state republican party convention, poised to capture their endorsement.

Bite:5562 :10-secs "ladies and gentlemen"

NOW...Standing alone before a podium in a room at the State Office Building in St. Paul, McKasy recounted his early struggles in the race following the failure to win endorsement at the Convention. Without it, McKasy had to run a campaign on a shoestring budget financed largely by HIMSELF. McKasy, who vowed to remain in the race and run what he said would be a competitive campaign...waited to file with the secretary of state's office under deadline last week. He says a poll last Friday, showing him trailing Rudy Boschwitz by more than 50-percentage points, caused him to re-think his efforts:

Bite:McKasy #5518 :26-secs "just too high"

McKasy says his failure to win the party Endorsement was certainly ONE factor leading to a fledgling campaign, but says it's not the SINGLE reason. Even so, he couldn't put his finger on anything more specific.

Bite: mcKasy 2 #5532 :22-secs "to it than that."

McKasy says he has no plans to either endorse any candidate between now and the primary in September..OR seek elected office again the FUTURE. Even so, his announcement to withdraw comes too late for his name to be removed from the Primary Ballot.

State Republican Party Chairman Chris Georgacas says McKasy's withdrawl from the race narrows the field to three candidates, but says Rudy Boschwitz should be seen as the presumptive nominee:

BITE:Chris #5541 :24-secs "very well today."

Georgacas says with McKasy's decision....party leadership cannot offer a formal endorsment for Rudy Boschwitz but can more easily rally support behind him.