The Capitol Note: DFLer Dayton leads fundraising ahead of GOP primary fight

1) Gov. Mark Dayton continues to lead the fundraising contest against his GOP opponents — the four of whom must still compete in an August primary — with more than $750,000 cash on hand, according to campaign finance documents released Tuesday.

Dayton has more money in the bank than all of his opponents combined, and raised nearly $160,000 in April and May. The governor’s closest competitor, Scott Honour, heads into June with $226,733 in the bank, in large part due to a $250,000 loan to his campaign in late May.

Former Rep. Marty Seifert has $104,000 on hand and raised $55,000 in the two-month period. Former House Speaker Kurt Zellers came in just behind Seifert at $95,000 cash in the bank, raising $49,000 in April and May. GOP endorsee Jeff Johnson performed the least admirably, raising $11,000 in the latest reporting period, which he ended with $32,529 in cash.

2) Gov. Mark Dayton and Sen. Al Franken, both Democrats, lead their fall opponents by significant margins, according to a survey done by Public Policy Polling.

The poll found that Franken leads his likely opponent Mike McFadden 49 percent to 38 percent. Dayton leads endorsee Jeff Johnson and Marty Seifert by the same margin: 47 percent to 36 percent. His toughest opponent, according to the poll, is Kurt Zellers, whom the governor leads 47 percent to 37 percent. Scott Honour would fare worst against Dayton, with 35 percent support to Dayton’s 47 percent.

A recent poll by KSTP-SurveyUSA found less favorable margins for Democrats, though Dayton and Franken still led their opponents.

3) The local arm of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) launched a $100,000 ad buy against Gov. Mark Dayton, targeting him for supporting MNsure and a $77 million in taxpayer funding for a Senate office building, the Star Tribune reports.

The radio advertisements, which are airing in regional centers and to a lesser extent in Minneapolis and St. Paul, came under fire from DFL groups. Alliance for a Better Minnesota criticized AFP for it’s Koch-brother backers and talked up DFL accomplishments in Minnesota this legislative session.

COMINGS & GOINGS

• Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, is the featured guest at this week’s “Drinking Liberally” event in Minneapolis. The event will take place at the 331 Club at the regularly scheduled time of 6:00 p.m.
• The Minnesota Housing Partnership is looking for a communications and office associate. The housing opportunity nonprofit is seeking a staffer with experience in communications and/or office management, and who has strong computer skills, including with graphic design and database management programs. Send cover letter and resume to [email protected] by June 30.
• Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan) and Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL-Eagan) will hold a town hall meeting at Junior’s Cafe in Burnsville at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday. The two Democrats will be joined there by Dane Smith of the Growth & Justice nonprofit, who will discuss the effect of income inequality.
• The Senate Republican caucus is hiring for a researcher position. The job calls for analysis of legislative proposals, attendance at committee hearings and floor sessions, and briefing, speech-writing or communications duties for members of the caucus. Experience with the Minnesota Legislature or other facets of state government a plus; minimum annual salary $44,294. Apply by sending cover letter and resume to [email protected]