GOP Slights Gov. Carlson, Endorses Rival

Republicans turned their backs Friday on Gov. Arne Carlson and gave their endorsement to former state legislator Allen Quist, a strong advocate of traditional family values who enjoyed widespread support from religious and social conservatives.

The Quist endorsement by delegates to the Independent Republican convention was a major embarrassment for the sitting GOP governor and sets the stage for a fractious primary contest between the two men in September. It could leave the party divided and demoralized, which some Republicans fear could hurt them in other races here in November.

Quist’s victory marked the third time in three weeks that religious and social conservatives had emerged victorious in intra-party contests, although the dynamics of the fight here were different from battles the last two weekends in Virginia and Texas.

Carlson did not receive the endorsement of the party four years ago and later lost the primary. Nonetheless, he got on the November ballot when the candidate who won the primary was forced to quit the race after sexual allegations were raised against him.

Carlson, who supports abortion rights and signed a gay rights bill as governor, long has tangled with conservatives in his party. His inattention to his Republican constituents made him ripe to a challenge this year.

But Quist shocked many longtime Republican leaders in the state by overwhelming the precinct and county caucuses that led to this weekend’s state convention, bringing many first-time participants--many citing concerns about the moral deterioration of the country and abortion--into the political process.