Here are a few highlights from political and government news in Minnesota over the past few days, and a peek at what lies ahead. U.S. ...

Gov. Dayton and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk have proposed a special session to deal, in part, with the state’s racial disparities.

The state Republican party will stand behind state Supreme Court candidate Michelle MacDonald despite legal troubles stemming from an intoxicated driving allegation.

As he talked about meeting with thousands of potential voters on the campaign trail, Jason Metsa found himself using a certain word, and paused to acknowledge what it meant. “Those people are now my constituents,” he said.

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

A recount will be conducted on Thursday to confirm the outcome of the closely contested DFL primary in House District 59B. Raymond Dehn defeated Terra Cole by just 19 votes in the North Minneapolis race, with Ian Alexander trailing well behind.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie predicted a low voter turnout for Tuesday's primary election, putting his estimate at around 15 percent participation from eligible voters. As it turns out, the state didn't even reach that number.

For most candidates getting past the primary election is merely the first electoral hurdle that must be surmounted prior to joining the Legislature. But for candidates in districts that tilt heavily in favor of either the DFL or GOP, the primary race can effectively serve as the only meaningful contest.

Secretary of State spokeswoman Pat Turgeon confirmed Wednesday that no races are heading to a recount as of yet. One race got close: North Minneapolis' House District 59B DFL primary featured a slight, 19-point spread between winning candidate Raymond Dehn and second place finisher Terra Cole, but it still fell outside the .5 percent margin of total votes cast to trigger a recount.

The shape of all 201 Minnesota legislative contests this fall is now set after more than 40 primary races across the state were settled on Tuesday. In some instances, DFLers and Republicans won contests in partisan strongholds and have almost assuredly secured their place in the Legislature next session. In others, incumbent lawmakers were ousted by intra-party challengers.