Almanac: At the Capitol

State Senator Dick Day announced he will run in a primary. Brian Davis, another Republican candidate in the First Congressional District said he's disappointed and said "Senator Day went back on his word that he gave at numerous Republican activists' meetings stating he would abide by the endorsement process." Day says that primary election "are far more democratic than the current system in which party insiders hand pick the candidates." He pointed to the frustration over recent presidential caucuses in the state. Day points out that he has raised more money than his competitors. State Rep. Randy Demmer is also running for this seat currently occupied by Congressman Tim Walz. I talked to Day and Demmer recently for a story about running for higher office during a legislative session. As far as a primary, Day could be counting on his name recognition after serving the area for nearly two decades and being one of the more colorful and quotable lawmakers. Brian Davis, whom I've never met, is a Rochester physician and his wife is an ER doc.