The 2010 elections bolstered the ranks of fiscally conservative Republicans in the Legislature. And that spells trouble for a bonding bill's prospects in the 2011 legislative session.

This month Ryan Greenwood is stepping down as political director for TakeAction Minnesota after five years in the post. Capitol Report sat down with Greenwood to discuss the outcome of that effort, the 2010 legislative races and his plans for the future.

With 100 percent of polling precincts reporting, the current -- yet unofficial -- vote tally shows DFLer Mark Dayton holding a 8,854-vote lead over Republican Tom Emmer.

Final turnout in Minnesota's midterm election is expected to settle in around 60 percent by the time the polls close, according to the Secretary of State's office.

The Republican Party of Minnesota says voters have complained about "machine malfunctions" several cities, but Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says things are running "smooth as silk."

The 2010 Minnesota election is one that will undeniably be marked by the influence of third-party groups, which have put millions of dollars - some more than any of the governor candidates - to influence the outcome. In addition to the more than $5 million funneled into DFL candidate coffers via labor-backed group Alliance for a Better Minnesota, tribal political action committees have put nearly $1.2 million into mostly DFL hands so far this year.

Poll watchers of all political stripes are reporting few substantial problems at voting locations across the state. But some observers are concerned about overly aggressive party-affiliated challengers operating at some polling sites.

Nearly a quarter of respondents would fix the budget gap solely with tax hikes, and just 12 percent would close the deficit by spending cuts alone.

Democrat Mark Dayton leading Republican Tom Emmer by a 38 to 36 margin. Independence Party candidate Tom Horner posted his strongest showing yet, pulling in 18 percent support.

Real Clear Politics' Sean Trende published an election analysis this morning that should scare the bejesus out of Democratic campaigns all across the country. Trende argues that big-picture factors are perfectly aligned to produce a "massive Republican blowout" more comparable to Democratic gains in 1932 than to the more modest gains made by Republicans in 1994.