Pawlenty backs Kennedy; Grams sounds off [View All]

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Associated Press


ST. PAUL - There's more activity on the campaign front for the U.S. Senate in 2006.

Gov. Pawlenty today endorsed Republican front-runner Mark Kennedy, a third-term congressman. Meanwhile, Kennedy's only announced G-O-P challenger, former Sen. Rod Grams, lashed out at party leaders for saying the race was over.

With all of the stirring, it's easy to forget that the election is more than a year-and-a-half away. No Democrats have announced campaigns, but two more have withdrawn from consideration -- D-F-L Chairman Mike Erlandson and Congresswoman Betty McCollum