Torgerson and 'Ron Paul Libertarians': #2 Top Story Of The Year

In September 2011, Lynne Torgerson officially announced she would be running for the Fifth Congressional District seat held by Rep. Keith Ellison.

By mid-April, she was no longer in the race.

At the GOP Convention, delegates endorsed Chris Fields. That decision didn't sit too well with the Monday after the convention.

She said in part: 

There was a stage at the front of the room. Approximately 6 people were seated on the stage. Every person seated was a Ron Paul Libertarian. The Convention was overrun by Ron Paul Libertarians. More than 2/3 of the delegates were Ron Paul Libertarians. When I mentioned that we were at a Republican Convention, they laughed out loud. ...

The response from the public was immediate and overwhelming. The next day, Torgerson told Patch in an email:

No, I am not going to continue running in this election cycle. The Party is free to fully support Chris Fields.

The race between Fields and Ellison had its contentious moments later in the year; the Torgerson convention controversy, however, was the biggest talker from the Fifth District in the first half of the year.

More stories about Torgerson:

• Torgerson: GOP Convention 'Overrun by Ron Paul Libertarians'
• Three GOP Candidates for 5th District Differ on the Details
• Three GOP Candidates Vie to Challenge Ellison
• Torgerson Announces Run for Congress
• (VIDEO) Torgerson To Challenge Ellison Again for Congress

More stories about Paul:

• Minnesota Republicans Split over Delegation's Support of Ron Paul at RNC
• UPDATED: Minnesota Delegates Back Ron Paul at Republican National Convention
• Two-Thirds of Twin Cities GOP Leaders Believe Minnesota in Play for Romney
• (UPDATED) Ron Paul's MN Convention Speech Drawing 5th District Interest
• Torgerson: GOP Convention 'Overrun by Ron Paul Libertarians'
• Ron Paul to Host Caucus Party in Golden Valley