Republican Rep. Connie Doepke is under attack from a second conservative independent group in her bid to replace retiring Sen. Gen Olson. Americans for Prosperity Minnesota recently sent out a piece linking Doepke to President Barack Obama and his signature health care legislation in a district that votes overwhelmingly Republican.

Three sitting GOP legislators from the western Twin Cities suburbs face tough primary contests next week.

**UPDATED** State Rep. Connie Doepke is distributing a mailing that includes a quote from U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen praising her political service. "I wish I could have served with Connie in the Minnesota House, she's a great Representative and a proven leader," the blurb reads. The piece also refers to Paulsen as a "long time supporter" of Doepke.

In the 2010 election cycle the Freedom Club State PAC spent just over $220,000 on political expenditures. But the conservative independent expenditure group is apparently taking a different tack so far in 2012.

Despite a deadlocked endorsing convention, Jerry Hertaus is the lone GOP candidate for one of the safest Republican House seats in Minnesota.

A handful of August primary elections are heating up across the state thanks to the new redistricting map, an uptick in legislative retirements and widespread dissatisfaction with the job lawmakers are doing in St. Paul.

State Reps. Connie Doepke and Steve Smith feel the wrath of GOP grass roots, may head to primary.

GOP state Reps. Connie Doepke and Steve Smith lost endorsement contests Wednesday night in Senate District 33.

GOP activists will gather in Wayzata tonight to choose endorsed candidates for three legislative seats in Senate District 33.

After adjourning in the wee hours of Thursday morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives plunged ahead with the bittersweet biennial ritual of retirement speeches from departing members.