State Sen. Julianne Ortman is no stranger to tough electoral fights with other Republicans. She began her political career in 2000, when she was elected Carver County Commissioner, facing a five-way primary initially to get on the ballot. After the 2002 redistricting maps dropped, Ortman saw an opportunity for a newly open Senate seat, ultimately winning a GOP primary by a scant 2 points.

In recent election cycles, Alliance for a Better Minnesota has galvanized support for DFL candidates and causes. The Minnesota Jobs Coalition is hoping to play a similar role on behalf of Republicans.

Republicans are mired in an extended losing streak in statewide political contests. Since 2006, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty won re-election with 47 percent of the vote, Republicans have been shut out. That dubious streak reached a nadir of sorts last year, when U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar won re-election by nearly 35 percentage points over GOP challenger Kurt Bills.

Minnesota Jobs Coalition was registered with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure board on Thursday. In a news release announcing the fund, operative Ben Golnik said the PAC will work to represent "hard-working taxpayers" at the Capitol during session.

Journeyman Republican political operative Tom Erickson is joining U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen's district office as communications director.

Today at Politico, reporter Manu Raju takes up the Norm Coleman will-he-or-won’t-he question prompted by last week’s report in Roll Call [previous PIM item] that ...