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Capitol View: November 3, 2010 Archive

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Recount!

Posted at 5:03 AM on November 3, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

The word that makes many Minnesotans shudder is likely to pop back up in Minnesota's poltiical circles. Democrat Mark Dayton has about a nine thousand vote lead over Republican Tom Emmer. If the margin is one half of one percent of the total votes cast in that race, an automatic recount occurs. It looks like that's the case in Minnesota's race for governor.

Republicans are gearing up for a recount. The Republican Party has scheduled a 10am news conference to discuss the recount. Earlier this morning, MNGOP Chair Tony Sutton said he was preparing to meet with attorneys to discuss their efforts.

"We're going to be very vigilant, if there is a recount, as to the process of that recount. We're going to be very aggressive in making sure that the procedures are being followed correctly."

If a recount occurs, it will be the second statewide recount in the past two years. The recount in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race took eight months to resolve. Democrat Al Franken won that race.

The Minnesota Legislature turns red

Posted at 5:13 AM on November 3, 2010 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor, MN Legislature

Republicans have taken control of the Minnesota Legislature in sweeping fashion. Republicans have picked up sixteen seats and now hold a 37-30 majority. Republicans have picked up at least 24 seats but there could be an additional two seats that turn GOP. Three of those races are probably going to an automatic recount. Carol Lewis lost by 28 votes. David Bly lost by 30 votes. Robin Brown lost by 75 votes.

In all, 32 incumbents lost on Tuesday. Every single one of them is a member of the DFL Party.

Here's the list of incumbents who went down:

HOUSE --- 19 total:
- Dave Olin, of Thief River Falls (district 1a)
- Bernard Lieder, of Crookston (district 1b)
- Tim Faust, of Hinckley (district 8b)
- Al Doty, of Royalton (district 12b)
- Al Juhnke, of Willmar (district 13b)
- Gail Kulick Jackson, of Milaca (district 16a)
- David Bly, of Northfield (district 25b)
- Robin Brown, of Moscow Township (district 27a)
- Andy Welti, of Plainview (district 30b)
- Phil Sterner, of Rosemount (district 37b)
- Sandra Masin, of Eagan (district 38a)
- Mike Obermueller, of Eagan (district 38b)
- Will Morgan, of Burnsville (district 40a)
- Paul Rosenthal, of Edina (district 41b)
- Maria Ruud (pronounced 'rude'), of Minnetonka (district 42a)
- Jerry Newton, of Coon Rapids (district 49b)
- Paul Gardner, of Shoreview (district 53a)
- Julie Bunn, of Lake Elmo (district 56a)
- Marsha Swails, of Woodbury (district 56b)

SENATE - 13 total:
- Mary Olson, of Bemidji (district 4)
- Dan Skogen, of Hewitt (district 10)
- Lisa Fobbe, of Zimmerman (district 16)
- Rick Olseen, of Harris (district 17)
- Kevin Dahle, of Northfield (district 25)
- Ann Lynch, of Rochester (district 30)
- Sharon Erickson Ropes, of Winona (district 31)
- Jim Carlson, of Eagan (district 38)
- John Doll, of Burnsville (district 40)
- Leo Foley, of Coon Rapids (district 47)
- Don Betzold, of Fridley (district 51)
- Sandy Rummel, of White Bear Lake (district 53)
- Kathy Saltzman, of Woodbury (district 56)

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Oberstar goes down

Posted at 5:21 AM on November 3, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House, Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD8

Minnesota's northeastern Congressional district is back in Republican hands for the first time since the Truman administration. Challenger Chip Cravaack upset DFLer Jim Oberstar in the district that runs from Chisago City to the Canadian border.

Cravaak defeated Oberstar by about 4,000 votes.

"The votes have spoken," Cravaack said. "I hope they are paying attention in Washington. Because you have spoken loud and clear, not just from Minnesota, but from across this great nation. Let this serve as a warning to Congress. We don't work for you. You work for us."

All the rest of Minnesota's Congressional delegation won re-election, including a closely watched race in southern Minnesota's 1st district, represented by DFLer Tim Walz.

Listen to Cravaack's victory speech here: Listen

The Daily Digest

Posted at 6:44 AM on November 3, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Get ready for another recount. Democrat Mark Dayton has a nine thousand vote lead over Republican Tom Emmer. That's within the automatic recount margin and it appears the GOP is gearing up for a heavy battle. Republican Party Chair Tony Sutton has scheduled a 10AM news conference to discuss the party's recount efforts.

Dayton is the last hope for Democrats who hope to hold at least one portion of Minnesota's State Government. The reason: Republicans rolled in the Minnesota Legislature. The GOP picked up 16 seats in the Minnesota Senate forcing the Democrats to go from a veto proof majority to the State Office Building.

Republicans in the House picked up at least 24 seats in the Minnesota House. There are two other seats in play at this point.

In all, 32 DFL incumbents went down. Big names like Al Juhnke, Bernie Lieder, Leo Foley and Don Betzold all lost their seats.

Race for Congress

Minnesota's 8th Congressional District will have new representation for the first time since 1974. Republican Chip Cravaack upset DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar. It's the first time the GOP will represent Minnesota's 8th Congressional District since 1948. Think about that - Harry Truman was president.

All of the other incumbents in Minnesota's delegation won reelection. MPR takes a look at how GOP control of the U.S. House will change Minnesota's clout.

2010 Other

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Attorney General Lori Swanson and Auditor Rebecca Otto, all Democrats, were all reelected on Tuesday.

With GOP in charge of MN leg, what happens to Vikings stadium?

Posted at 10:08 AM on November 3, 2010 by Paul Tosto (3 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature

Picking though the story lines of last night's stunning GOP takeover of the Minnesota House and Senate, we started wondering how it changes the odds of a new Vikings stadium bill.

One of the stadium's chief backers - House Ways and Means Chairman Loren Solberg - appears to have lost his seat last night after nearly 30 years in the legislature. With about 82 percent of precincts reporting, the latest results have the DFLer losing his Grand Rapids district 49 to 51 percent, but with less than a 400 vote margin.

Rep. Loren Solberg last spring laid out a Vikings stadium bill, calling the team a "state legacy" and praising the team's impact on the economy.

It's not necessarily a Republican versus Democrat issue. All three of the top governor candidates expressed some support for Vikings aid in the legislature. Gov. Tim Pawlenty said a few weeks ago that it was "highly likely" a Vikings deal would get done in the next legislative session.

Still, in a down economy, will the new Republican majority be willing to take on the thankless task of helping publicly finance a stadium?

State Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, is currently the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means committee and the most likely candidate to take over the tax panel if it turns out Solberg has been defeated.

Holberg's no stadium fan. She fought the bill that eventually delivered public financing for the Twins stadium.

From the Star Tribune in 2006:
"What are we doing here? It's wrong," said Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, who urged her colleagues unsuccessfully to require a referendum. "Sure, it's an easy vote for all of you who don't live in Hennepin County."

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this post, we incorrectly reported that state Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, another long time Vikings stadium supporter, was leaving the Senate after a failed run for governor. He was re-elected Tuesday.

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Minnesota elections: What you're saying

Posted at 11:20 AM on November 3, 2010 by Paul Tosto (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010

We've been hearing tons about the elections from our audience on our Today's Question page and on Facebook and wanted to feature some of what you've been telling us.

Here's the question we asked: After GOP victories, what changes do you see for the state and the country?

Below is a sampling. Don't see yourself represented? Post your thoughts below and build out the conversation.

As far as the state of Minnesota goes, I don't really expect much of a change. No new taxes pledges, a growing gap between rich and poor, and cuts to programs serving those most in need are all things that we've seen under Gov. Pawlenty. I don't expect the same Republican tactics to suddenly yield different results this time around. -- Jennifer

This victory was not won by the far right...It's the folks in the middle who, in reality, aren't really that concerned about abortion, gay rights, and other social issues. They simply want responsible, honest representation that isn't beholden to labor unions and environmental extremists on the left, or corporations and religious extremists on the right. The only thing I know for sure is that we'll have divided government both state and federal. That is a GOOD thing. -- Brad

You have to be careful what you vote for you might get it! New state legislators will be assigned to committees to bring reality to their "smaller government, lower taxes" mantra. Then they can explain to their constituents why they need to go to a neighboring county (in rural areas) to renew their drivers licenses, and obtain other services. -- Nancy E Gertner on Facebook

What I would like to see is what I have wanted to see for awhile; let go of the extreme ideologies on both ends, put all your chips on the table and hammer something out that may not make everyone happy but will do the most good for the most people. The newly elected congressman from Florida had it right when he said this is not a mandate, it is a call for both parties to pay attention and work together. Sign me...cynical independent. -- Peter Morlock on Facebook

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Winners, losers, likely recounts: An updated look at MN legislature

Posted at 11:41 AM on November 3, 2010 by Paul Tosto
Filed under: MN Legislature

MPR reporter Tom Weber spent last night tracking Minnesota House and Senate races and just sent this updated list of winners, losers and potential recounts. Take a look and post any thoughts below.

We also have links to easy-to-read totals on Minnesota legislative races:
Minnesota House
Minnesota Senate

Races where there will be a recount, probably:

District 15b - 0.5% appears to be 54 votes; Carol Lewis lost by 28 votes (This is an open seat; DFLer Larry Hawks not running again)

District 25b - 0.5% appears to be 88 votes; David Bly lost by 30 votes

District 27A - 0.5% appears to be 75 votes; Robin Brown lost by 58 votes

Here's a list of 34 incumbents (21 in the House; 13 in the Senate) that lost their seats - Note: They're all DFLers; not a single Republican incumbent lost.

HOUSE --- 21 total:

- Dave Olin, of Thief River Falls (district 1a)

- Bernard Lieder, of Crookston (district 1b)

- Brita Sailer, of Park Rapids (district 2b)

- Loren Solberg, of Grand Rapids (district 3b)

- Tim Faust, of Hinckley (district 8b)

- Al Doty, of Royalton (district 12b)

- Al Juhnke, of Willmar (district 13b)

- Gail Kulick Jackson, of Milaca (district 16a)

- David Bly, of Northfield (district 25b)

- Robin Brown, of Moscow Township (district 27a)

- Andy Welti, of Plainview (district 30b)

- Phil Sterner, of Rosemount (district 37b)

- Sandra Masin, of Eagan (district 38a)

- Mike Obermueller, of Eagan (district 38b)

- Will Morgan, of Burnsville (district 40a)

- Paul Rosenthal, of Edina (district 41b)

- Maria Ruud of Minnetonka (district 42a)

- Jerry Newton, of Coon Rapids (district 49b)

- Paul Gardner, of Shoreview (district 53a)

- Julie Bunn, of Lake Elmo (district 56a)

- Marsha Swails, of Woodbury (district 56b)

SENATE - 13 total:

- Mary Olson, of Bemidji (district 4)

- Dan Skogen, of Hewitt (district 10)

- Lisa Fobbe, of Zimmerman (district 16)

- Rick Olseen, of Harris (district 17)

- Kevin Dahle (pronounced 'dall'), of Northfield (district 25)

- Ann Lynch, of Rochester (district 30)

- Sharon Erickson Ropes, of Winona (district 31)

- Jim Carlson, of Eagan (district 38)

- John Doll, of Burnsville (district 40)

- Leo Foley, of Coon Rapids (district 47)

- Don Betzold, of Fridley (district 51)

- Sandy Rummel, of White Bear Lake (district 53)

- Kathy Saltzman, of Woodbury (district 56)

Dayton lead in governor's race: 9,057 votes

Posted at 12:22 PM on November 3, 2010 by Paul Tosto
Filed under: Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

With all precincts reporting, the Associated Press says DFL-er Mark Dayton holds a 9,057 lead over Republican Tom Emmer.

Here are the AP totals:

Mark Dayton 918,351 43.7%

Tom Emmer 909,294 43.2%

Tom Horner 251,300 12.0%

MPR's Elizabeth Dunbar has a deeper story online about the coming recount, which will likely start Nov. 29.

Citizen insight into Oberstar's defeat

Posted at 2:51 PM on November 3, 2010 by Paul Tosto
Filed under: Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD8

Jim Oberstar's defeat in Tuesday night's election was a political earthquake. We wanted to know more from Minnesota citizens about what happened to unseat Oberstar and the origins of support for Republican Chip Cravaack.

My colleague Molly Bloom reached out to Minnesotans in MPR's Public Insight Network to try and found out why.

"Mr. Oberstar misread the threat posed by a candidate like Cravaack," said Bob Feiro, a Cravaack supporter from Duluth. He told us:

The demographics have changed significantly since either Blatnik or Oberstar took office. traditional northeastern Minnesota values are becoming less and less of the decider, as the urban sprawl from the Metro area becomes a larger and larger voice. (i.e. Chip Cravaack and his supporters waited out the election in Hinckley).

With the redistricting power won by the Republicans in the State races, this will become even more pronounced in what were traditional DFL strongholds.

Click on the map icons below to read more of what Feiro and other Minnesotans are telling us on the Oberstar vote. (Add your voice here.)

James Redfield, an Oberstar supporter from Rush City, said he didn't think his candidate " took the challenge to heart and started working for reelection too late."

The political shift coming "is big, and there is a great difference between the economy in the (district's) North and in the South. This makes a huge difference on the feelings of the people."

Oberstar today reflected on his 36 years in Congress, telling his staff and reporters during an emotional news conference that he had no regrets, MPR's Elizabeth Dunbar wrote.

He defended his votes supporting the federal stimulus money and health care reform but acknowledged that the people of his district had spoken, Dunbar wrote.

mn8.JPG

"People are fickle and impatient. He did not spend enough time in Minnesota. This upset many constituents," Diana Kuopus an Oberstar backer from Eveleth, told us.

"I have no idea what my fellow constituents were thinking in electing a congressman with no experience and no agenda that I have heard. I am frustrated with the naivety of voters who fall for the empty rhetoric of candidates calling for "change" and "a new direction" with no specifics."

But Dale Buisman, a Cravaack backer from North Branch, suggested Oberstar had lost touch with many Minnesotans.

Oberstar, "spends too much of our money, he always talks about how much money he spends in the district. Well that money has to come out of my pocket first, then he got his hands on it and spent it in ways I do not like," Buisman said.

"We will now be represented by some one who lives in the district and perhaps we will be listened to and have real representation."

Dan Ellis, an Oberstar supporter from Hibbing, put the changes in the 8th succinctly.

For decades we've lived blue (unionization, government intervention in economics and industry, etc), believed red (small government, "pull yerself up by the bootstraps"), and voted blue.

Now, we're voting red, which may change how we live, which is to say the 8th district may become what it is... a Republican district.

_________________________

Got an insight into the Oberstar - Cravaack race? Tell us.

New Emmer statement: Race still too close to call

Posted at 1:41 PM on November 3, 2010 by Paul Tosto (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Down by 9,057 votes with all precincts reporting, Republican governor candidate Tom Emmer just put out this statement:

With nearly 100% of precincts reporting, this race is still too close to call. The margin that currently separates Senator Dayton and me is currently within the automatic recount trigger. There is a process in law that will ensure that we arrive at a conclusive result, ensuring that all valid votes are counted and the will of the voters is met.

Separately, Gov. Tim Pawlenty also noted, "there is a process in place to provide the people of Minnesota with a final result as quickly as fairness and the law allows."

MPR reporter Tim Nelson has put together an excellent list of frequently asked questions and answers on a recount.

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Senate's Pogemiller won't seek minority leadership post

Posted at 2:00 PM on November 3, 2010 by Paul Tosto
Filed under: MN Legislature

He's been the Minnesota Senate's majority leader the past four years, but state Sen. Larry Pogemiller of Minneapolis says he won't seek to lead DFL-ers as minority leader in the next legislative session.

"No matter how committed we were or hard we all worked, in the end it didn't matter, the result is the result," Pogemiller said in a prepared statement. "We were not able to bring an exemplary group of legislators across the finish line.

Koch makes a play for MN Senate Majority Leader

Posted at 4:08 PM on November 3, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature

GOP Sen. Amy Koch of Buffalo says she's running to become Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate.

"I am running," Koch said. " I spoke to Dave about it this morning."

Koch was instrumental in helping Republicans gain control of the MN Senate for the first time in 38 years. She both recruited and campaigned for many of the candidates who were elected on Tuesday night.

Koch said she talked GOP Sen. Dave Senjem of Rochester about the position. Senjem currently serves as Senate Minority Leader and may also make a play for the position. On Tuesday night, Senjem wouldn't say whether he'd run for the slot.

"I haven't thought about that," Senjem said. "We'll decide that in the next day or so."

Senate Republicans will meet on Friday afternoon to elect a Majority Leader. The caucus will also elect a new President of the Senate and four assistant majority leaders.

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The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated true, misleading, false or inconclusive. More

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