Judging by his behavior during the 2015 state legislative sessions, Gov. Mark Dayton fits comfortably into the series of unconventional Minnesota politicians.

Wellstone Action leader Ben Goldfarb encourages progressive organizing.

One notable exception: Cravaack/Nolan CD 8 race

Raymond Dehn has already faced most of the hurdles he will encounter on his way to the state Capitol. The first came when Dehn joined a crowded field of candidates vying for the open North Minneapolis House District 59B seat vacated by Rep. Bobby Joe Champion

Senate District 59, which encompasses the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota and northeast Minneapolis, is home to one of the most concentrated DFL constituencies in Minnesota.

Veteran DFL campaign strategist Jeff Blodgett, who was recently named executive director of the independent expenditure group WIN Minnesota, has got his work cut out for him in 2012.

Gov. Mark Dayton has suggested a novel approach to ending the protracted impasse over the state’s $5 billion budget deficit and averting a government shutdown. Under the Dayton administration’s shutdown blueprint, filed in Ramsey County District Court earlier this month, an outside mediator would be appointed to help drive the parties toward a resolution. The two possible budget referees suggested by the DFL governor: former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz and former Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice James Gilbert.

After eight years at the helm, Wellstone Action founder Jeff Blodgett will step down from the role of executive director, saying now is "the right time for a new leader to carry the organization forward."

Martin has officially announced he is seeking the top post in the state's DFL Party.

Gov.-elect Mark Dayton’s transition team is casting a wide net as he assembles the first DFL administration in a generation.