Although the DFL caucus on campus had a small turnout, it gave Bemidji State University (BSU) students a chance to become publicly involved and helped give the candidates an advantage.
Several students said they showed up just to experience the caucus process.
Student Manoj Rayamajhi attended to learn more about how American politics work. Another student, Crystal Middendorf, said she came to the caucus because she had "never been to one.”
BSU students and members of the community who live in precincts one and three met in the Beaux Arts Ballroom to vote for the candidates. They then voted for precinct and associate chairs as well delegates for the county.
Current Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak won the straw poll with 21.68 percent of the vote, which is only 1.67 percent ahead of current Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher.
After the vote, the gathered community discussed issues that were important to the precinct.
During the discussion, one issue that came up was the Complete Street Policy. This policy would make streets safer for bikers and pedestrians. It would encourage, but not require, cities to create more bike lanes.
According to a Bemidji Parks and Recreation board member, one reason this is important for the city of Bemidji is that there are some streets that are unsafe to cross,
This issue is one that Rybak plans on supporting, according to his website www.rtrybak.com.
For more information on the Minnesota Democratic Convention, visit www.dfl.org.
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