Senator loses endorsement over fish gaff

Culminating a month of harsh criticism of his political tactics, Sen. Satveer Chaudhary was stripped of his DFL endorsement for reelection, jeopardizing the career of one of Minnesota's leading politicians on outdoors issues. Democrats in Senate District 50, which covers parts of the northern suburbs, took the action Monday.
 

The Associated Press reports Chaudhary has been under scrutiny for using his position to push a special walleye rule for Fish Lake, north of Duluth, where he owns a cabin. Chaudhary chairs the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
 

Chaudhary said he would contest the 32-to-12 vote, saying it fell two votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed to take away his party's endorsement. Chaudhary predicted he would win the DFL primary in August.
 

Moments after dumping Chaudhary in a rare action by a state political party, DFL activists endorsed former legislator Barb Goodwin, who previously served six years in the Minnesota House.