Iron Range legislators hosted their annual Ranger party Monday night at Mancini’s in St. Paul, and it drew a big crowd of lobbyists, journalists and legislators from around the state.

Taking a break from the tensions of the session, “the Rangers exchange the parliamentary maneuvers of state politics for spinning couples and a live band that, being Minnesota, included an accordion,” said a story in the Mesabi Daily News.

Even Republican Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester, could be seen at a table near the side door until well past 11 p.m.

It’s about “camaraderie,” said Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, something that’s changed since tight restrictions on things like meals for legislators went into place in the 1990s.

With hours left until Mancini’s closed Monday night, Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm, took the stage, and backed by house band,  belted out a rendition of “Mack the Knife.” The crowd — accustomed to drawn out committee meetings, beige Capitol rooms and malfunctioning PA systems — howled its approval.