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Dorholt and Knoblach prepare to face off in St. Cloud
The last remaining DFL-controlled legislative seat in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District might be up for grabs this fall, as a well-known former legislator from the Pawlenty era returns to challenge a freshman representative to represent St. Cloud.
14A special: Area’s partisan tilt gives GOP edge
The House race in St. Cloud’s District 14A didn’t garner much attention in last year’s campaign. As far as media and activists were concerned, all the action was in neighboring 14B, where a DFL challenger, Zach Dorholt, eventually knocked off first-term GOP Rep. King Banaian.
Marriage amendment had big impact in burbs
Rumblings about the marriage amendment’s unpopularity in the western suburbs came early in the campaign season. Orange and blue “vote no” signs vastly outnumbered “vote yes” ones, particularly in places like Edina, and Republican candidates running for the Legislature avoided the issue at the doors and in debates at all cost.
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.
Banaian tries to improve on razor-thin 2010 victory
Two years ago, the contest for an open St. Cloud-area House seat was the closest in the state. On Election Day the results showed that Republican King Banaian eked out a 10-vote victory over DFLer Carol Lewis. Following an automatic recount, that margin stretched to 13 votes out of nearly 11,000 cast.
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.
House DFLers mark shutdown anniversary by blaming Republicans
On the anniversary of the start of last year's 20-day government shutdown and at the start of a critical legislative campaign season, D FL House Minority Leader Paul Thissen took the podium to blame the Republican majorities for the historic shuttering of state government and ask Minnesotans to avoid a “shutdown sequel" by electing DFL majorities.
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.
Capitol awaits final stadium vote
After a pair of marathon floor debates, the House and Senate passed legislation this week authorizing construction of a $975 million stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.
GOP misses a chance, DFL dodges a train
In the first hours and days after the state’s new redistricting maps landed at the Capitol Tuesday, the collective sense of relief among Minnesota Democrats was unmistakable.
GOP bills tackle ghost of pensions future
For much of the past decade, state lawmakers have reacted with alarm as volatile financial markets opened up multibillion-dollar shortfalls in the long-term outlook for the state’s pension system.
Top News
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- Judge asked to block part of a North Dakota abortion law
Expert Testimony
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