Joann Ward

Mar 20, 2014

The Capitol Note: Senate’s tax bill would cut $434 million

House leaders refused to speculate on whether the House would accept the Senate bill or take it to conference committee.

Nov 30, 2012

Meet the Freshmen: House DFL (part 4)

JoAnn Ward decided to run when Rep. Nora Slawik, DFL-Maplewood, decided to retire. Redistricting pushed the new House District 53A farther to the east and across I-494 into Washington County. Even though partisan voter indices still pegged the new district as DFL-leaning, the race caught the attention of Republicans.

Nov 7, 2012

Victorious DFL caucuses prepare to take control of the Legislature

Just hours after winning control of the House and Senate, DFL legislative leaders gathered with Gov. Mark Dayton at the Capitol. For the first time in two decades, Democrats control all three levers of power in St. Paul.

Aug 3, 2012

Money magnets: Some candidates have significant financial advantage over rivals

The Senate District 49 race has resulted in the largest haul so far with more than $100,000 in political contributions. Campaign finance reports have revealed this and a lot more, including some notable financial mismatches as well as challengers bringing in more than incumbents.

Jun 29, 2012

Election strategists sort out House swing races

The last two election cycles have witnessed wave elections for both parties that tilted the Minnesota House of Representatives in polar opposite directions.

Jun 20, 2012

Predicting 2012

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.