The candidates for governor of Minnesota met Friday night for a debate, addressing such issues as spending, taxes, gay marriage — and their own drinking problems.
As MinnPost points out, Democratic nominee Mark Dayton and Republican nominee Tom Emmer were asked questions about how they have dealt with their drinking histories. Dayton, a former U.S. Senator, has disclosed that he is a recovering alcoholic who relapsed during his time in the Senate, and that he has also sought treatment for depression. Emmer, a state Representative, has had two DWI arrests from before he entered politics, the first in 1981 and the second in 1991, and has been attacked for his efforts to soften the state’s DWI laws.
Dayton answered that he had returned to a program of “spiritual and physical” recovery. Emmer admitted to his past mistakes, and also addressed an attack ad from a labor-backed group, saying that if the ad stops just one person from driving drunk then it would be a good thing.
The TPM Poll Average gives Dayton a lead over Emmer and Independence Party nominee Tom Horner of 44.2%-33.6%-9.9%.
