Jason Johnson - Latest Stories

Lawsuits filed alleging police misconduct around the RNC

By Paul Demko | 02.27.09 | 5:46 pm

Let the litigation begin. Eight lawsuits have been filed in U.S. District Court claiming civil rights abuses by police officers during events surrounding the Republican National Convention in September. The civil suits accuse officers of physical and sexual abuse, illegal searches and seizure of property, and wrongful detainment. Says one of the lawyers handling the cases, “This is just the beginning.”

The race for the state House: Democrats who face re-election battles in red districts

By Paul Demko | 10.29.08 | 3:27 pm

In 2006 Democrats picked up 19 state House seats, many of them in tight races in suburban districts that skew Republican. While this electoral success has set the table for the DFL to possibly gain a veto-proof majority in the House by picking up five more seats, it also means that many first-term legislators are facing tough re-election contests. Here’s a look at nine races that could be ripe for Republican pick-ups.