In 7 Minnesota legislators score free election pass, the Associated Press reported:

Election Day came five months early for seven incumbents in the Minnesota Legislature. Six Republicans and one Democrat didn't attract any opponents by Tuesday's candidate filing deadline. Barring a write-in effort or a shocking turn of events, they'll be assured new two-year terms that begin in January. The Republicans are Tony Cornish of Vernon Center, Kurt Daudt of Crown, Joe Hoppe of Chaska, Joe McDonald of Delano, Marion O'Neill of Buffalo and Duane Quam of Byron. The unopposed Democrat is Kim Norton of Rochester.

Today, O'Neill joined the Kevin Kasel for MN House 30B campaign in the Albertville Friendly City Days Parade.

Kasel thanked her for her support in a caption for one of two photos he shared from her page on Facebook.

Kasel is the Republican challenger to single-issue endorsed Republican candidate for House District 30B, Eric Lucero. Lucero, who gained the endorsement earlier this year over sitting Republican state representative David FitzSimmons (Albertville) because of the freshman's support of marriage equality, is now encouraging voters to support Sheila Kihne, who is challenging assistant minority Jenifer Loon.

Like FitzSimmons, Loon voted for marriage equality in 2013; like FitizSimmons, Loon is a Republican who places high on conservative interest groups' legislative scorecards. No endorsement was made by their district convention in HD48B, and both filed for office.

Perhaps the most surpising thing about O'Neill's campaigning for Kasel? Her brother, Brian Daniels, is the endorsed Republican candidate in House District 24B, now held by Patti Fritz (DFL-Faribault). Fritz was one of a handful of DFLers to vote against marriage equality.

Perhaps she'll join her brother more often after the primary.

Photo: Representative Marion O'Neill (left) with GOP HD30B challenger Kevin Kasel (middle) and Wright County Commissioner Mike Potter. via Facebook (shared by Kevin Kasel here; O'Neill's posting here.)

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