House and Senate races across the state are rapidly shaking out following the release of new legislative maps.

Sen. Ted Lillie plans to move into Senate District 53, an open seat, and run for re-election. The new legislative map paired Lillie with fellow Republican Sen. Ray Vandeveer in neighboring Senate District 39.

At least three prospective Republican candidates for the Minnesota Senate crowded a gathering of activists in the newly drawn Senate District 39 over the weekend.

The most anticipated political event of the year at the Capitol — the unveiling of court-drawn state legislative and congressional districts that will be used for the next decade — arrived at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The complaint filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings says Senate Republicans used public funds to print partisan literature that was distributed at Republican precinct caucuses last week. State law prohibits using taxpayer money for any campaign purposes.

Last year voters in Wisconsin witnessed an ugly campaign for a seat on the state’s Supreme Court between incumbent justice David Prosser and assistant attorney general JoAnne Kloppenburg. Some three dozen outside interest groups spent $4.5 million seeking to influence the outcome of the contest, according to a report by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Julianne Ortman announced a pair of Senate hearings to hear testimony on the issue of a Vikings stadium. Ortman, the chair of the Taxes committee, will chair the meetings.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY EVENTS: Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership spotlights National Women and Girls in Sports Day. Noon, Capitol Rotunda. Bemidji Day at ...

Lobbyists who have been waiting on pins and needles for the House and Senate to release their committee rosters got an early holiday present on Wednesday, when the Senate GOP sent out a final list of Republican names that will make up the majority in the chamber's 16 committees next year.

Transportation policy wonks wondering how the new Republican legislative majority will approach the Metropolitan Council can find a hint in the state GOP platform. The party's position is succinct and seemingly unambiguous: