Minnesota Independent

Education, kids motivate Paulsen’s DFL challengers

By Andy Birkey | 04.05.10 | 1:36 pm

Two candidates vying for the DFL endorsement to take on first-term Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen say he has betrayed the 3rd Congressional District’s moderate and independent streak. Maureen Hackett, a veteran and psychiatrist, and Jim Meffert, father of three and past PTA president, both see education as a top issue they’d tackle in Washington if they best Paulsen in November.

Meffert, Hackett announce endorsements in race against Paulsen

By Andy Birkey | 02.10.10 | 8:51 am

Two DFLers vying to run against Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen announced endorsement this week. Dr. Maureen Hackett garnered the support of the LGBT group Stonewall DFL while PTA president Jim Meffert announced a number of endorsements from elected officials…

Bachmann continues to haunt neighboring district’s Dems

By Chris Steller | 01.05.10 | 4:23 pm

Democrats running for Congress in the Minnesota’s Third District keep finding ways to mention Michele Bachmann, who represents the neighboring Sixth District. Last week Maureen Hackett dropped Bachmann’s name in a fundraising appeal. Now Jim Meffert boasts…

Pawlenty PAC funds homies as Paulsen rival unveils radio ad

By Chris Steller | 01.04.10 | 12:52 pm

Gov. Pawlenty’s national ambitions haven’t led his political action committee, Freedom First, to forget his fellow Republicans on the home front in Minnesota. In an email to supporters, the PAC says it has donated to U.S. Reps.…

A district away, Bachmann’s name invoked in Dem Hackett’s fundraising appeal

By Paul Schmelzer | 12.30.09 | 2:09 pm

At the Star Tribune’s blog, Eric Roper offers proof that Rep. Michele Bachmann’s profile has risen: DFLer Maureen Hackett is invoking Bachmann’s name to fundraise for her congressional race — in an entirely different district. It’s proof,…

It’s official: Hackett to challenge Rep. Paulsen

By Paul Schmelzer | 11.17.09 | 9:23 am

As expected, Dr. Maureen Hackett has officially entered the race to challenge Rep. Erik Paulsen in the Third Congressional District. A psychiatrist who served in the Air Force for seven years, Hackett announced her candidacy on her…

Cook Political Report: Bachmann, Paulsen still only competitive House seats

By Paul Demko | 11.13.09 | 11:37 am

Michele Bachmann is the most politically vulnerable member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation in 2010, according to the latest analysis from the Cook Political Report. The beltway publication lists the Sixth Congressional District seat as “leaning Republican.”

AM.MN: GOP shuns the hyphenated-name vote

By Chris Steller | 10.20.09 | 8:30 am

“Is the door closed? No it’s not,” State Sen. Terri Bonoff said to Minnesota Public Radio’s Polinaut yesterday, clarifying what the DFLer told the Minnesota Independent last week about another run for Congress in the Third District: “The…

Potential Paulsen challengers emerge

By Paul Demko | 10.15.09 | 1:59 pm

Freshman Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen is arguably the most vulnerable member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation. But so far he hasn’t attracted any challengers for 2010. That could change soon.