The Minnesota Independent

Paul Kohls - Latest Stories

Legislature passes ‘death rights’ bill for same-sex couples

By Andy Birkey | 05.12.10 | 3:08 pm

The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill that would give same-sex couples more end-of-life rights in the event of a partner’s death, but Gov. Tim Pawlenty has threatened to veto the bill. It passed in the Minnesota Senate on Wednesday and the House on Tuesday, despite the argument from Republicans that the bill discriminated against opposite sex couples.

PoliTweeps: On ‘grandmothering’ and ‘groveling’

By Paul Schmelzer | 04.14.10 | 11:10 am

In this edition, Republicans nitpick Democrats’ terminology and diplomacy, as the state party chair calls President Obama “Groveler in Chief” for bowing as he met China’s president, and a state legislator accuses Rep. Karen Clark of — gasp —…

GOPer Kohls suspends gubernatorial campaign

By Paul Schmelzer | 10.29.09 | 12:32 pm

Paul KohlsRepublican state Rep. Paul Kohls has put his gubernatorial campaign on hold, according to the Jordan Indepedent. The Victoria, Minn., resident emailed supporters with the news this morning, noting that “it has become clear to me that…

MnIndy slideshow: State fair politics

By Paul Demko | 09.04.09 | 4:35 pm

The only place for a politician to be on the last Friday of summer is the Minnesota State Fair. There are almost certainly more backs to slap and babies to kiss than at any other gathering of the year. It seemed like half the state’s residents were prowling the fairgrounds today. U.S. Sen. Al Franken was among the masses.

Who’s in for 2010: GOPers eyeing the governor’s mansion

By Paul Demko | 06.22.09 | 3:47 pm

Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s announcement earlier this month that he will not seek a third term has unleashed a political gold rush among Republican politicians in the state. Minnesota’s current political landscape includes an eye-popping 18 declared and possible gubernatorial contenders.

Bakk officially enters the fray

By Paul Demko | 06.08.09 | 10:22 am

bakkDemocrat Tom Bakk is running for governor. The state senator from Virginia made it official yesterday. Bakk originally set up an exploratory committee and began raising money roughly a year

Pawlenty will not seek third term, but stays coy about national political plans

By Paul Demko | 06.02.09 | 4:45 pm

Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s decision not to seek a third term is widely viewed as an indication that he plans to seriously test the waters for a presidential bid in 2012. But at a press conference this afternoon he insisted that he has no future political plans.