Bobby Joe Champion and Jeff Hayden win primaries ... Al Franken, too

Bobby Joe Champion, the DFL endorsed candidate in 59B beat the incumbent Willie Dominguez 65% - 35%. This is Keith Ellison's old seat (BTW, Keith slaughtered his opponent 85%-15%). Bobby Joe probably has this one in the bag as he likely won't face any substantial competition in the general election. Congrats, Bobby Joe!

In 61B, DFL-endorsed Jeff Hayden beat Harry Grigsby 80% - 20%. Jeff faces Green Party candidate Farheen Hakeem in the general election. The real race is on now. Go Jeff!

Bobby Joe and Jeff held their primary party at Prince Hall Labor Temple in south central Minneapolis. I stopped by for a couple of minutes after laying carpet in the baby's room. Al Franken was there when I arrived. BTW, Al won handily. 65% - 27% over Priscilla Lord-Faris. Is anyone really surprised?

Al was interviewed by someone (there was no sticker on the guys camera) who asked how he felt after winning. Al said he is feeling great and very confident now that he is finally and officially the DFL candidate to face Norm Coleman. Al has always been focused on the battle between he and Norm and finally there is nothing standing between Al and destiny.

When asked about what he thought about winning 75% to 25% (which is where the numbers were at 9-ish) and would he be able to bring that 25% into the fold, Al said he felt confident that he would be able to bring them in.

I share Al's confidence. The polling is trending in the right direction and Al is running the right kind of grassroots campaign. Al is getting the message across that there is a clear difference between he and Norm. Furthermore, turn-out is going to be heavy and Obama will have coattails in MN. Since this will once again be a change election, Al will benefit from setting himself up as the candidate of change