Capitol View: April 7, 2009 Archive

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann to hold townhall meetings this week

Posted at 10:15 AM on April 7, 2009 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann has scheduled several townhall meetings this week. She will hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss ways to prevent, diagnose and beat cancer in Stillwater.

She will also hold forums in St. Cloud and Woodbury on Thursday to discuss Climate Change and Cap and Trade.

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351

Posted at 11:10 AM on April 7, 2009 by Tom Scheck

The three-judge panel has decided that 351 ballots should be added to the race, in which Democrat Al Franken holds a 225-vote lead over Republican Norm Coleman. You can read MPR's updates on the current proceedings here.

Franken's lead gets bigger...

Posted at 12:00 PM on April 7, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Democrat Al Franken's lead over Republican Norm Coleman has grown to 312 after a batch of ballots were opened earlier today.

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Radio host joins the race for state GOP chair

Posted at 3:43 PM on April 7, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (3 Comments)

A Twin Cities radio personality, who recently lost his afternoon talk show on KSTP AM 1500, announced today that he's a candidate for state Republican Party chairman.

Dave Thompson joins Carrie Ruud and Tony Sutton as announced candidates. Ron Carey, who has served as state party chairman since 2005, has not yet announced if he'll seek another two-year term. The GOP's State Central Committee is schedule to select a chair June 13. Thompson sent out the following news release:

The Republican Party needs a leader who can clearly communicate the Party vision, champion a Republican majority in the legislature and return the Party to its core principles.

When asked about the current political climate in Minnesota, Thompson replied, "I believe Republican Party principles reflect the values and priorities of most Minnesotans. Unfortunately, the Republican Party principles have not been clearly communicated in a way that allows this majority to see that Republican principles are the same as the principles that guide their own lives. As a result, a large Democratic majority controls the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Senate, thus not having enough Republicans to sustain a gubernatorial veto. We cannot afford more of the same."

Dave is uniquely qualified to undertake this important leadership role as State Chair. For the last 7 plus years Dave has hosted "The Dave Thompson Show", a program aired on locally owned, AM1500 KSTP. In addition, he has been part of a debate segment known as "Face Off" on KSTP TV's Emmy Award winning news program, "At Issue with Tom Hauser". Both of these high profile positions have afforded Dave the opportunity to cultivate and hone his understanding of the issues necessary to lead the Republican Party.

Dave is a life long Minnesotan. He graduated in 1984 from the University of North Dakota with majors in economics and political science. He received his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1987 and has been a practicing attorney representing businesses in workers' compensation disputes, contract negotiations and estate planning.

Dave and his wife have been married 23 years, and live with their 2 children in Lakeville.

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