Dayton pulls ahead; Kelliher fights on (MN Gubernatorial Primary)

[Morning Dew]

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/100401809.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU1yDEmP:QMDCinchO7DU

After an achingly close contest that touched off fears of a recount, DFLer Mark Dayton was pulling ahead of Margaret Anderson Kelliher in a primary and was poised to move on in the race to be Minnesota's next governor.

After midnight, with 97 percent of the vote counted, the former U.S. senator led Kelliher by about 4,500 votes -- enough that no recount would be needed.

But the House speaker wasn't conceding. "We're not making any decisions. ... Hang in there," Kelliher said early Wednesday.

For Dayton, who spent much of the night trailing DFL-endorsed Kelliher, it was yet another comeback in a political career that has had more ups and downs than a roller coaster.