Newman wins GOP endorsement for District 18 Senate seat

Hutchinson Attorney Scott Newman won the Republican Party’s endorsement for the District 18 Senate seat at the party’s endorsing convention Saturday.

Newman, who represented District 18A in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2004 to 2006, outpolled three other candidates for the endorsement.

Newman won on the third official ballot. On the first ballot, he captured 105 votes, while Dean Mahlstedt received 96, Randy Wilson got 27, and Tim Benoit, 12. Wilson and Benoit dropped out after the first ballot.

To win the endorsement, a candidate needed 60 percent of the votes from the 236 total ballots cast.

On the second ballot, Newman received 131 votes, and Mahlstedt, 105.

On the third ballot, Newman received 139 votes and Mahlsted received 95 votes. Mahlstedt conceded to Newman after the third ballot.

For the full story on the endorsement, see the Leader's March 16 print edition.