Fundraising numbers are by no means the end all-be all indicator of a candidate's electoral success, but some recently released campaign finance reports reveal startling numbers that could point to several GOP takeovers in the state House.

A full-court press by Republicans has gotten DFLers to hastily disavow an independent attack piece by the state DFL Party.

A negative mailing arrived in Republican state Senate candidate Dan Hall's district last weekend that caught him by surprise.

There's buzz in the Northland that the battle for the 8th Congressional District seat is making state House Ways and Means Chairman Loren Solberg's re-election bid more competitive than in previous election cycles.

The Senate DFL Caucus has raised $1.95 million as of Oct. 18. That trumps the Senate Republicans' $466,600 raised this year.

House DFLers, who are trying to protect a sizable majority, swamped Republicans in fundraising through Oct. 18. But House Republicans spent more on independent expenditures in contested races.

State Sen. Terri Bonoff, DFL-Minnetonka, will run a television ad during Monday Night Football. Bonoff is among suburban candidates who are taking advantage of cable television's geographically specific reach.

Trolling through the House chamber Monday to get comment on the developing DFL caucus leadership picture was like pulling teeth. Most legislators were focused on the task at hand - passing a flood and tornado relief bill - and wanted to reserve talks of leadership until the general election passed.

State Rep. David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, is recovering after undergoing a kidney transplant Tuesday. Family members told the Duluth News Tribune that he is walking and feeling well. He could be released from the hospital as early as Saturday.

Capitol Report has learned that House Democrats will gather to caucus just two days after the election, and the central agenda item will likely be to choose new leadership.