Dick Day was hired to lobby for the Running Aces track about a month ago, spokesman John Derus said. Day left his job as the lead lobbyist for RacinoNow, a Canterbury Park venture, this summer.

Jeff Hilger describes himself as first and foremost a horse guy. He owns a sprawling farm in Stillwater where he breeds thoroughbreds. He has also worked in the corporate world. One thing Hilger’s a bit low on is political experience.

The group has hired a new lead lobbyist and will be called the Racino Now/Equine Development Coalition, as they try to highlight racino's benefits to the horse and agriculture industry over gambling in the 2012 session.

A lot of things are changing for Dick Day. The former Senate Republican minority leader made a legislative career out of supporting slot machines at racetracks — better known as racino — during his 19 years in the chamber.

Dick Day is leaving the pro-racino lobbying group Racino Now to start a contract lobbying firm. Day spent 19 years in the state Senate before joining the group that lobbies for slot machines in Minnesota horse racing tracks.

In previous legislative sessions, proposals to expand gambling have attracted more support from Republicans than DFLers. Given Minnesota's $5 billion state budget deficit and the new Republican majorities in the House and Senate, gambling proposals would seem to stand a much-improved chance of landing on the governor's desk as part of a budget agreement.

While most Minnesota politicos are devoting their attention to the race for the governorship this year, a smaller power battle is brewing in the state Senate. Many who frequent the Capitol halls in St. Paul predict there will be a spirited race for head of the Senate GOP caucus after the general election, a spot that is looking more desirable to Republicans given boasts within the party that the GOP has a shot at taking the majority in the chamber.

The Minnesota Vikings descended on the Capitol this morning with their offensive line of contract lobbyists.

During his weekly radio show, Pawlenty said the racino proposal is stalled by factions in both political parties.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty sets special election in District 26 before the start of the next legislative session.