Gregg Steinhafel

Jun 20, 2012

Spending for those who can’t

In surveying the 2012 campaign cash landscape in Minnesota, it’s not immediately obvious who’s going to help Republican legislators defend their majorities.

Feb 3, 2012

With state party in debt, Republican-aligned spending groups to play bigger role in elections

In the 2010 gubernatorial contest, independent expenditure groups played a crucial role in Mark Dayton’s narrow victory.

Oct 27, 2010

Independent-spending groups have trumped gubernatorial campaigns in money and media firepower

Facing a contest that has typically been labeled by most election analysts and pollsters as a "toss-up," third-party groups are pulling in millions of dollars from donors, national organizations, unions and corporations looking to tip the scale in their preferred candidate's favor. The groups' advertisements and activities have been some of the most visible of this year's campaign season.

Oct 6, 2010

Campaigns find creative ways to target voters on the Net

After Target Corporation contributed $150,000 to a political organization that's supporting Republican Tom Emmer in the governor's race, Alliance for a Better Minnesota went online to stir up outrage.

Sep 24, 2010

Target/MN Forward debacle dampening corporate indie spending on elections

MN Forward had bold plans for the 2010 campaign season. Last spring the business-backed political group, a venture jointly launched by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, laid out a fundraising goal of $10 million to bankroll its initial foray into electoral politics, according to a planning document obtained by Capitol Report.

Aug 13, 2010

Gubernatorial campaign: thrills, chills and lots of blood

The cast is set for the governor's race. Mark Dayton's narrow triumph in a three-candidate DFL primary field puts him on the November ballot with Republican Tom Emmer and Independence Party nominee Tom Horner

Aug 5, 2010

Target apologizes for MN Forward donation

Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel has sent a letter to employees apologizing for the company's $150,000 donation to MN Forward, the pro-business group that is running television ads on behalf of Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. The retailing behemoth had been criticized, particularly by GLBT groups, for supporting Emmer's campaign.