Endorsed Duluth DFLer Erik Simonson is proceeding with his write-in campaign for a Minnesota House seat in District 7B after the State Supreme Court didn't act to remove disgraced Rep. Kerry Gauthier's name from the ballot. Gauthier withdrew from the race last month after admitting to a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy at a Duluth rest stop.

The state's Democratic Party asked the Supreme Court Friday to remove exiting Duluth Rep. Kerry Gauthier's name from the ballot and replace it with Erik Simonson's name. Gauthier dropped his bid for re-election last month after he admitted to a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy at a Duluth rest stop.

The Duluth News Tribune endorses a write-in Independent candidate in the race for House District 7B race to replace disgraced State Rep. Kerry Gauthier of Duluth. The paper says Jay Fosle -- a member of the Duluth City Council campaigning as an independent write-in candidate -- is better suited for the job than Erik Simonson.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has rejected a legal challenge to a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to show photo ID at the polls. In a separate decision, the court also threw out ballot titles written by Secretary of State Mark Ritchie for the voter ID amendment and another amendment to ban gay marriage. Republicans had argued that Ritchie overstepped his authority and was trying to influence voters to reject both amendments.

DFL endorsed Erik Simonson was the overwhelming winner in the race for Minnesota State House District 7B seat to replace disgraced Rep. Kerry Gauthier, the Duluth News Tribune reports. Simonson, an assistant Duluth fire chief, received 62 percent of the vote. Republican Travis Silvers received about 22 percent and write-in candidate Jay Fosle took the remaining 16 percent.

Critics of the Voter ID question on Minnesota's fall ballot will have their day in court on July 17th. The state Supreme Court will hear arguments then on a petition to have the question removed from the ballot. Four groups argue the question does not accurately describe the amendment.