Walker Orenstein reports on the state Legislature for MinnPost, with a particular focus on covering issues affecting Greater Minnesota. He can be reached at worenstein@minnpost.com, and you can follow him on Twitter at @walkerorenstein.
In 2018, Walz’s “One Minnesota” message fared reasonably well in Greater Minnesota, where the Mankato Democrat did better than some others in his party. Now he’s running for reelection as a St. Paul Democrat against a challenger who seeks to make larger inroads outside the Twin Cities metro.
The DFL has been losing support in northern Minnesota, and court-determined redistricting has changed the political map. A MinnPost analysis shows these five Senate races and 15 House races are the ones to watch in 2022.
The endorsements could influence the contests because Bakk remains a well known politician in the Iron Range area.
States like Washington and Massachusetts plan to join California in largely banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
The governor’s flagship climate program was the target of sharp political backlash. Now, its impact could be limited, as the program could last just one year.
Black Minnesotans are subjects in the vast majority of the raids, at a level that is far disproportionate compared to state demographics.
The federal bill had promised at least $100 million for every state. Now, Minnesota officials have an estimate of extra cash the state will get for having a lot of rural areas: $550 million.
In the last month, two Minnesota senators — Republicans Gene Dornink and Torrey Westrom — have had their residency questioned by people who want to remove the lawmakers from the ballot.
Did Finstad do better or worse than expected? This MinnPost analysis includes how Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District has voted in the past.
The anti-establishment wing scored victories in places like Little Falls, Stillwater, Northfield and Red Wing.
“We cannot afford to subsidize ventures that are not delivering the promised speeds or are not likely to meet program requirements,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a news release.
With all the votes in, Omar defeated Samuels by a narrow margin. Finstad won his primary for a spot on the November ballot. He’ll also be the incumbent after winning a special election for the remainder of the late Rep. Jim Hagedorn’s seat.
In many legislative races, anti-establishment firebrand Republicans are challenging incumbent lawmakers or more conventional conservatives.
The GOP and DFL were mostly successful in having their endorsements clear the field of challengers, but there are exceptions.
Chief Justice Lorie Gildea said the people investigating Sen. Gene Dornink waited “long periods” between visiting his homes and waited too long before submitting their complaint ahead of the Tuesday primary election.
Reps. Angie Craig and Dean Phillips are among the first members of Congress to suggest a candidate other than President Biden should be on the presidential ticket in 2024.
Secretary of State Steve Simon also weighed in, saying the petition questioning Dornink’s residency should be “procedurally barred” because it was filed less than two weeks before the primary.
Primary opponent’s former campaign manager says he suspected Republican state Sen. Gene Dornink wasn’t living in the district and went to investigate, leading to a petition with the Minnesota Supreme Court.
The veteran DFL state senator who recently turned independent was tapped to help lead the Legislature’s efforts to finance public construction projects across the state. So far, there’s been no deal.
Walz said troopers have been focused on traffic violations they deem a threat to public safety.
