GOP delegates have tough time picking Senate candidate

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Republicans have postponed their U.S. Senate endorsement early Saturday after nine hours of balloting

in a  race that came down to a low-budget campaigner from a county board and a well-funded rookie candidate.

Delegates decided around 2 a.m. to recess for seven hours. Their goal is to back a potential opponent to Democratic incumbent Al Franken.

Through seven ballots, St. Louis County Commissioner Chris Dahlberg held a 10-point lead over businessman Mike McFadden. The late departure of a third candidate, state Sen. Julianne Ortman, didn't speed up the chase to 60 percent needed for endorsement. There was a chance that the party would remain deadlocked, leaving the GOP without a preferred candidate until an August primary.

The 2,200 delegates also planned to pick a favorite for Minnesota governor on Saturday.