Third Democrat announces plans to challenge Kiffmeyer

02/06/2006

Associated Press

Mark Ritchie, a nonprofit leader who led a national get-out-the-vote campaign two years ago, kicked off a campaign for secretary of state today.

Ritchie is the third Democrat who wants to challenge GOP incumbent Mary Kiffmeyer this year.

Christian Sande, an election attorney, and Dick Franson, a frequent candidate who ran against Kiffmeyer in 1998, are also running as DFLers.

Ritchie said that, if elected, he would work to make it easier for younger voters, soldiers, new citizens, people with disabilities and minorities to vote.

Meanwhile, Kiffmeyer hasn’t said yet whether she will seek a third term in November. The Republican was re-elected in 2002, winning 47.6 percent of the vote in a four-way contest.