Candidates for Minnesota governor court rural votes at FarmFest forum

MORGAN — The five major candidates for Minnesota governor chased support from rural voters on Wednesday, promising to partner with farmers and the food industry as they made their first and only joint appearance ahead of next week’s primary election.

Clear differences emerged between the three DFLers and two Republicans who shared the stage at the FarmFest agricultural expo, on issues like taxes and regulations. But the candidates — state Rep. Erin Murphy, Attorney General Lori Swanson and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz of the DFL; and Republican former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson — rarely directly engaged with one another.

http://www.startribune.com/candidates-for-governor-court-rural-votes-at-farmfest-forum/490398961/