Campaign Notebook: June 4th

Campaign Notebook will be a recurring piece with quick hits on campaign-related events and news.  It might be worth your attention, as campaign news tends to come in bursts and rapid updates.

And where else but the U.S. Senate race to start?  Entertainer/candidate Al Franken is on Huffington Post this morning with an anti-fundraising plea in which he asks for donations but decries the state of campaign finance in American elections, and calls for public financing.  He also manages to crack a few jokes.

Franken’s DFL rival, attorney Mike Ciresi, is also out on the trail.  Fresh off a fundraiser described as “fabulously successful,” Ciresi was scheduled to speak at the St. Anthony Park Neighbors for Peace and DFL Women’s Hall of Fame events late last week. 

And because we don’t pander to frontrunners here…Franken and Ciresi aren’t the only names in this race.  State Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) has decided against a run for the U.S. Senate, and Bob Olson is expected to declare soon.  His website indicates something about wind power…more to come on that.

Check back soon for an interview with Congressman Tim Walz’s new campaign manager, Richard Carlbom.