Freedom Club

Jun 20, 2014

Campaign money: Indie spenders watch, wait

The DFL leads in party fundraising, but the conservative spending outlook is obscured by a big field of candidates for governor.

Feb 6, 2013

Top lege races tab: $13.6 million

During the fall campaign season, the Republican Party of Minnesota sent out mailings in Senate District 4 accusing Kent Eken of voting to raise the “granny tax.”

Oct 31, 2012

Democrats dominate in spending by party units

When it comes to spending by Minnesota’s political parties, the state DFL has emerged as the No. 1 player in the 2012 battle for control of Legislature.

Oct 31, 2012

GOP-aligned business PACs outspend Democratic counterpart

GOP-aligned independent groups have rushed to fill the campaign spending gap that Republicans face in their battle for continued control of the Minnesota Legislature.

Oct 26, 2012

Death, taxes, Eagan: suburban district is a key battleground once again

With no groundswell predicted for either party in this year’s election, the legislative races in Eagan’s District 51 are once again likely to prove pivotal in GOP efforts to retain control of the Legislature.

Oct 24, 2012

Downey-Franzen Senate District 49 race: Money pours from the sky in Edina

The Senate District 49 contest will almost certainly be the most expensive legislative race in the state. In pre-primary campaign finance filings, DFL challenger Melisa Franzen and GOP state Rep. Keith Downey reported raising roughly $115,000 – easily the highest statewide total.

Oct 19, 2012

In swing races, ground battle intensifies

For better or worse, Michael Brodkorb was back on the campaign trail last week. This time, however, the former GOP attack dog, deputy Republican Party chair and Senate communications guru who helped mastermind the 2010 GOP takeover of the chamber has materialized in a glossy pink and blue mailer that’s being used to attack Republicans.

Oct 10, 2012

Housley tries for GOP hold in SD 39

Karin Housley’s route into Minnesota politics has been anything but typical. In 2010, the real estate agent and wife of NHL hall of famer Phil Housley ran a close race against incumbent DFL Sen. Katie Sieben in Senate District 57, losing by only 606 votes.

Oct 3, 2012

Business PACs spend to defend GOP frosh

The campaign finance reports released last week show that political action committees large and small have been funneling lots of money into legislative races.

Sep 26, 2012

Spending on SD 33 GOP primary contest easily topped $100,000

The tightly contested Senate District 33 GOP primary contest between state Rep. Connie Doepke and David Osmek was an expensive affair. Osmek prevailed by just 107 votes in the race to replace retiring Sen. Gen Olson in a solidly GOP district.

Jul 13, 2012

Minnesota’s top donors skew DFL

DFL candidates and causes have received a disproportionate share of contributions from the state’s biggest political givers over the last decade

Jun 22, 2012

DFL-aligned groups appear to have early fundraising edge

On Tuesday hundreds of labor unions, business groups, lobbying shops and other independent political organizations submitted reports detailing how much money they’ve raised so far this year, what they’ve already spent and how much they have in the bank.