The Minnesota Independent

Mark Ritchie - Latest Stories

Conservative paper’s partisan links back data requests, despite denials

By Jon Collins | 07.29.10 | 8:19 am

The Minnesota Republic, a conservative student newspaper that filed more than a dozen data requests from state DFLers, blurs line between journalism and politics.

At Day of Prayer, politicians advocate for God in government

By Andy Birkey | 05.07.10 | 10:53 am

About 100 people turned out Thursday for Minnesota’s National Day of Prayer event at the state Capitol, and many politicians were there to take part. Rep. Michele Bachmann sent a message by way of her husband, Marcus; a Secretary of State candidate said the military helps bring people to Christ; and an absent Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave his seal of approval for the event by way of an official proclamation.

PoliTweeps: God, guns, green energy

By Paul Schmelzer | 04.29.10 | 12:59 pm


As some are tweeting about guns, God and green power, anticipation builds for the start of the GOP State Convention. But as one Republican candidate looks forward to seeing “many of you there,” one group won’t be allowed…

Ellison: No fraud from same-day voter signups in Coleman-Franken recount

By Chris Steller | 11.03.09 | 12:49 pm

ellison1In making the case for his federal same-day voter registration bill, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison points to how much voter fraud was alleged in the “highly scrutinized” Norm Coleman-Al Franken U.S. Senate contest due to Minnesotans’ ability…

Same-day voter registration would go national under Ellison bill

By Chris Steller | 10.29.09 | 12:50 pm

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison has introduced a bill that would extend Minnesota-style, same-day voting rights to all eligible Americans in federal elections.

State preps for a half million voters, GOP preps to challenge them

By Chris Steller | 10.26.09 | 2:04 pm

ritchie republicanMinnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is encouraging people to vote in local elections Nov. 3 that are expected to generate 500,000 ballots across the state. Ritchie’s office is also offering an online Polling Place Finder to…

AM.MN: Twins owner to have Biden over

By Chris Steller | 10.07.09 | 8:30 am

am.mn logoCan the Twins beat the New York Yankees? We’ll know the answer by the time Vice President Biden arrives for an Oct. 15 Democratic Party fundraiser at the Edina home of a member of the…

Supreme court rejects MN Majority case against Ritchie

By Andy Birkey | 07.24.09 | 4:27 pm

ritchie1A lawsuit filed against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie by the conservative Minnesota Majority and a handful of Republican lawmakers and activists was dismissed by the Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday.…

Secretary of State Ritchie in GOP crosshairs

By Andy Birkey | 07.16.09 | 4:50 pm

Ritchie by SchmelzerThe Republican Party of Minnesota has released a new website and radio ad targeting Secretary of State Mark Ritchie during the National Civic Summit, Ritchie’s retooling…

Pawlenty, Ritchie sign election certificate for Franken

By Chris Steller | 06.30.09 | 7:25 pm

cert-sealAl Franken’s election certificate was signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie early Tuesday evening, only hours after the state’s high court turned down Norm Coleman’s appeal of Franken’s win.