But galavanized by a more labor-friendly administration in Washington, the UFCW is once again looking to bring the company’s 1.4 million U.S. workers into the fold. The union is focusing on roughly 100 Wal-Mart stores in 17 states, including Minnesota. Yesterday UFCW Local 789 held a rally at the Wal-Mart store in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood:

On a day when Democrats took over the state senate in Virginia and the Kentucky governor’s office, progressive Democrats won in Duluth and St. Paul as well.  In Duluth, Don Ness picked up support from activists across the state in his bid to succeed Herb Bergson in the mayor’s office. In a St. Paul City Council race, Melvin Carter III defeated the more moderate incumbent Debbie Montgomery by a final tally of 2633-1932 (57.5% – 42.1%).

Carter’s victory was a blow to real estate developer Jerry Trooien and his proposed Bridges of St. Paul project, since Montgomery was seen as  friendly to the plan.  Matt Filner of Progressive Majority Minnesota, reached late last night, said, “Melvin Carter won a great victory today.  He will bring the kind of progressive vision and energy that will strengthen the St. Paul City Council.  It’s a further sign of the growing strength of the progressive movement, and a strong defeat for the conservative movement in our Capitol City.”

In what is, at first glance, the closest result across the state (and close to home for me personally), James Hiller defeated incumbent Al Thomas for his seat on the Minnetonka City Council by a final tally of 1137-1122 — a margin of just 15 votes.  There were 21 write-ins.