n the four months since legislative maps were released, political strategists and journalists have been scrutinizing the new House and Senate districts to determine which ones favor Republicans or Democrats and where the key battlegrounds will be in 2012.

For former DFL Sen. Jim Carlson, it was a matter of a little reflection and time to “lick my wounds” before he knew he was ready to run again for the state Senate. Carlson, who served one term in the chamber, was ousted last fall by Republican newcomer Ted Daley as part of a massive GOP wave that saw the party take control of both the House and Senate for the first time in nearly four decades.

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.

Ranging in age from 24 to 65, new class presents a varied face

While the governor's race may be the marquee feature in this year's campaign season, the large number of swing districts in play at the Minnesota Legislature are the object of lower-profile but no less intense campaign spending machinations by a number of groups.

Minnesota Republicans, buoyed by national congressional gains and an increasing tide of conservative sentiment, are queueing up to challenge incumbent DFL state legislators this year.

Minnesota state Rep. Jerry Newton, DFL-Coon Rapids, has been inducted into the Anoka Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and promoted to the grade of major.