Guns, Tucson shooting raise ire in Iron Range special election

A special election to replace former House Majority Leader Tony Sertich in Chisholm has reignited the debate over civility in politics following the Tucson shooting that injured Rep. Gabriele Giffords. The Republican Party of Minnesota released a mailer targeting DFLer Carly Melin that features a hunter taking aim and the words “Take your best shot.” It also states that Melin’s campaign is “full of holes.” Iron Range Democrats sasy it comes too close to overheated rhetoric, while GOP chair Tony Sutton argues it’s simply a mailer about hunting and Second Amendment rights.

She’s back! Controversial former SoS Kiffmeyer seeks to replace convicted legislator

Last weekend former Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer got the endorsement nod from House District 16B Republicans to replace embattled Rep. Mark Olson, whose conviction for domestic assault…

Waiting Is the Hardest Part

By midnight tonight, the legislature will conclude its business, passing through a series of budget bills that Gov. Tim Pawlenty will sign into law.

Or they won’t.

The latter possibility seems to be growing with each passing…

Attorney Blames Group, Major Contributors for Dean Johnson’s Loss

A letter from Willmar attorney John Burns blames Minnesota Citizens in Defense of Marriage for former state Sen. Dean Johnson’s loss in the 2006 election. The letter, published this week in the West Central Tribune, attacked the group and…

Negative campaigning goes both ways

State DFL dirties the water

Kathy Sheran, DFL candidate for State Senate in District 23, is disgusted. “It’s a shocker,” she says. “I was anticipating something happening, and waiting for it to happen to me.” She’s talking…

House Speaker Sviggum stumps for outstate GOP candidates

by Leigh Pomeroy

Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum is friendly and energetic. He has more than once been confused for 1st District Congressman Gil Gutknecht, and though Sviggum’s hair is shorter and slightly graying, their facial features and personality…

SD 58: Northside Republican Candidate Sued Minneapolis Over Partner Benefits

The Republican candidate for Minnesota Senate District 58 is Jim Lilly. If that name sounds familiar to you, it’s because he’s the guy who sued the City of Minneapolis in 1995  to stop it from offering domestic partner benefits…

A Gay Man, a Republican, and a Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer

In a district that is one of the least likely to elect a Republican for Minnesota House of Representatives, Alex Whitney is giving it a good shot. With a socially liberal and fiscally moderate platform, Whitney hopes to appeal to…

SD 48: Probable Cause Found in Jungbauer Campaign Finance Case

Republican State Senator Michael Jungbauer came under criticism earlier this month when members of his district (Senate District 48) found discrepencies in his pre-primary campaign finance report. A complaint was filed with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFB)…

CREW Files Complaint Against Minnesota Family Institute

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed complaints today with the IRS and US Postal Service over campaign mailers sent out just days before the September 12 primary election opposing openly gay Republican State Senator Paul Koering and supporting…