Minnesota Independent

Walz speaks out on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

By Andy Birkey | 12.15.10 | 4:43 pm

Rep. Tim Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, spoke on the House floor on Wednesday urging his colleagues to pass a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Walz said that comments from Republicans that soldiers on the ground could not handle serving with fellow gay and lesbian soldiers were offensive. The House voted on Wednesday evening to repeal the law which prohibits gays and lesbians from serving openly in all branches of the military 250 to 175.

Walz fends off Demmer and national GOP

By Andy Birkey | 11.02.10 | 10:56 pm

Rep. Tim Walz was announced the winner in Minnesota’s First Congressional District by the Associated Press on Tuesday night. Walz fended off Republican Randy Demmer in a race that was originally seen as the best chance for a pickup for Republicans in Minnesota — and they spent over $500,000 in the effort.

Walz leads by 9 in new SurveyUSA poll

By Andy Birkey | 10.28.10 | 9:15 am

Rep. Tim Walz expanded his lead over Republican challenger Randy Demmer, according to a KAAL-TV/SurveyUSA poll released on Wednesday. The poll found Walz breaking the 50 percent mark, with Demmer getting 41 percent. The poll also found that among voters in the First Congressional District, DFLer Mark Dayton narrowly leads Republican Tom Emmer in the race for governor.

Walz goes positive in final, catchall ad

By Paul Schmelzer | 10.27.10 | 1:06 pm

Rep. Tim Walz released his last ad of the election Wednesday afternoon with a straightforward-seeming piece that serves several functions. It leaves voters with a final upbeat view of the incumbent; presents his regular-guy cred while underscoring his bio (“I’ve been a lot of things in my life: football coach, soldier, teacher, dad. But I’m not a career politician.”), informs voters about election day and polling place hours, and runs down a list of his endorsements and accomplishments. It ends with a direct appeal: “I’d be honored to have your vote.”

NRCC continues to attack Tim Walz in 1st District

By Patrick Caldwell | 10.26.10 | 2:36 pm

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is out with a new negative ad against Democratic Rep. Tim Walz. The commercial ties the 1st Congressional District incumbent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and attacks him for the level of national spending during the recession. “Nancy Pelosi and Tim Walz are making it worse. With a national energy tax that would hit farmer, small businesses and seniors hard,” the ad’s narrator states, referring to Walz’s vote in favor of cap-and-trade legislation.

Cravaack, Clark, Walz pick up major endorsements

By Andy Birkey | 10.25.10 | 8:18 am

With a week before the election, major daily newspapers and high-profile officials are making their picks for Nov. 2. Democratic state Sen. Tarryl Clark and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz both grabbed endorsements from the state’s largest newspaper on Sunday, while Independence Party candidate for governor Tom Horner gained the support of the Pioneer Press. Walz also got the nod from Republican former Gov. Arne Carlson over the weekend, while GOP candidate Chip Cravaack picked up the endorsement of the Duluth paper.

Poll: Walz challenger within striking distance in 1st District

By Patrick Caldwell | 10.18.10 | 1:43 pm

According to a new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll, incumbent Rep. Tim Walz may be more vulnerable this election cycle than initially expected. Walz leads his Republican challenger Randy Demmer 47-42 percent in the poll, which had a +/- 4.1 percent margin of error.

Walz, Demmer trade barbs in Minnesota’s First

By Andy Birkey | 10.14.10 | 10:17 am

Rep. Tim Walz and his Republican opponent, Randy Demmer, have been trading barbs frequently at debates in the district and in ads. The volley of claims have kept the fact-checkers busy, and the once quiet race for Congress has been heating up in recent weeks with an influx of independent spending by Republican groups targeting Walz.

Walz hits Demmer on per diem payments

By Andy Birkey | 10.12.10 | 11:38 am

Rep. Tim Walz criticized his Republican opponent, Randy Demmer, on Monday for accepting per diem payments in the state legislature at times when he was not on the clock. Walz raised the issue at a KSTP/KAAL-sponsored debate on Sunday challenging Demmer’s fiscal responsibility statements. Demmer responded that his taking of the per diems was “immaterial.”

Still from the Alliance for a Better Minnesota ad

Weekend brings slew of new ads in governor’s, House races

By Andy Birkey | 10.11.10 | 9:09 am

With just over three weeks to go until election day, political groups and candidates are releasing a new flurry of ads. Joel Demos, the Republican challenger to Rep. Keith Ellison, has released his first television ad, while the DFL and Alliance for a Better Minnesota both put out ads criticizing Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Rep. Tim Walz released his third ad of the election cycle — and the first one to target his Republican opponent Randy Demmer.