Tom Emmer

Dec 7, 2011

Sutton admits signing agreement for gov recount legal fees, failing to tell other party officials

On Wednesday one of the GOP attorneys on the recount, Tony Trimble, told PIM that then-RPM Chairman Sutton signed an agreement legally obliging the party to cover the full cost of the recount legal fees, reportedly around $450,000. And late Wednesday afternoon, Sutton confirmed the existence of an agreement that he says he does not recall disclosing to other party officials. But Sutton went on to [...]

Dec 7, 2011

Sutton resignation puts focus on state GOP debt, discord

In late November, a group of roughly two dozen Republican activists gathered at a residence in Edina to discuss the future of the state Republican Party. The meeting included a broad cross-section of the GOP’s notoriously fractious base.

Dec 5, 2011

Republican infighting rises as state party looks to fill leadership void

The short knives are out in the Republican Party. Former GOP deputy chair Michael Brodkorb harshly criticized 2010 gubernatorial nominee Tom Emmer at Saturday's State Central Committee gathering. "I think Republicans nominated the one candidate who couldn't possibly win in 2010," Brodkorb told Minnesota Public Radio.

Nov 11, 2011

Sen. David Hann’s latest skirmish with Gov. Mark Dayton underscores his appeal to conservative hard-liners

In his administration’s drive to change the health insurance system, Gov. Mark Dayton has found an adversary in the state senator who presides over the committee charged with making the recommendation to confirm or deny his Health and Human Services commissioners.

Nov 9, 2011

Rixmann a growing force among political donors

Brad Rixmann likes to say he was dragged into politics “kicking and screaming.” Just five years ago, Rixmann, the founder and CEO of Pawn America had been at the Capitol only a few times as a child.

Nov 9, 2011

Cullen Sheehan departs Senate GOP for Lockridge

Cullen Sheehan is stepping down as state Senate GOP chief of staff to lobby for Minneapolis-based Lockridge Grindal Nauen. The Senate majority's legislative director Kevin Matzek will assume the chief of staff's role.

Oct 26, 2011

‘The Late Debate with Jack and Ben’ attracts a small but loyal audience of Capitol conservatives

“The Late Debate with Jack and Ben” got off to an inauspicious start. At the beginning of the debut broadcast in April, one of the microphones didn’t work for the initial eight minutes. The first words uttered over the air were, “Do you hear me?”

Oct 21, 2011

DFLers hold on to friendly turf

The changing demographics and DFL-friendly voting record of Senate District 46 signaled an easy win for DFL Sen.-elect Chris Eaton in Tuesday’s special election.

Oct 5, 2011

Geo-targeting will play big role in 2012 elections

As some Minnesota State Fair-goers stood in line for a Pronto Pup last year, an advertisement came across their smartphones accusing then-DFL 6th Congressional District candidate Tarryl Clark of voting to raise taxes on fried foods.

Sep 30, 2011

DFLers join redistricting tussle

Democrats in Minnesota have been slow to rise to the redistricting fight this time around. During session, DFL caucuses in the Minnesota House and Senate passed on the chance to produce maps to counter a GOP majority proposal that pitted 26 incumbents against one another, the vast majority of them DFLers.

Sep 28, 2011

GOP heavy hitters plunge into redistricting battle

There’s a sense of aplomb among Minnesota Republicans when they talk about their prospects for coming out on top in this decade’s redistricting process.

Sep 7, 2011

State’s pols rally around presidential challengers

Supporting Michele Bachmann’s presidential bid wasn’t necessarily an easy decision for David FitzSimmons. While the three-term Republican congresswoman would seem a natural choice for FitzSimmons, who chairs the Republican Party in her home 6th District, he was squarely in the Ron Paul camp during the 2008 election and worked for his campaign.