In recent weeks, local party activists around Minnesota have commandeered many a school auditorium to endorse candidates for state House and Senate races.

A slew of former DFL and GOP legislators announced campaigns for House and Senate districts this week, including Carrie Ruud, a former Republican senator from Breezy Point, former DFL Rep. David Bly of Northfield, former DFL Sen. Kevin Dahle and former DFL Rep. Paul Rosenthal.

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

Political action committees and legislative caucuses have already done mailings assailing the opposition. But now that the campaign has entered the final month, the rough-and-tumble race for the Legislature is kicking into high gear.

The surprising retirement of popular, four-term Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, launched what would have been a surefire Republican seat in House District 25A into uncertain territory.

The power divide between DFLers and Republicans in the Minnesota House may look daunting on its face, but not so long ago the GOP held a similarly imposing majority.

Local governments across Minnesota have taken a budgetary pounding from the Legislature in the past two years. So is it a coincidence that a striking number of this year’s crop of legislative candidates come from the ranks of mayors’ offices and city councils around the state?

Glenn Gruenhagen in 25A and Kurt Daudt in 17A emerged victorious at Tuesday night's GOP endorsing conventions. They are both running to succeed retiring GOP incumbents.