Capitol View Category Archive: Redistricting

Paired incumbents start pondering political future

Posted at 7:00 PM on February 22, 2012 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, MN Legislature, Redistricting

48 of the 201 incumbents in the Minnesota Legislature have been paired together under the new redistricting plan. Some have quickly made decisions about their political futures. Others are taking time to ponder their options. Here's a look at where things stand among the members who were paired:

Senate District 5

Sen. John Carlson, R-Bemidji, says he's running for reelection. He's paired with Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids. Saxhaug told the Duluth News Tribune that he'll run in November.

Senate District 8

Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, told MPR News earlier this week that he intends to run again. He's paired with Sen. Gretchen Hoffman, R-Vergas. Hoffman said she's not sure whether she's running for reelection.

Senate District 17

Sen. Joe Gimse, R-Willmar, is expected to run unopposed since Sen. Gary Kubly, DFL-Granite Falls, is not expected to run for reelection.

Senate District 23

Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, says she intends to run for reelection.

"That's my district and I worked very hard," Rosen said. "I ran unopposed last time and I think I have good standing there. I did some good things for that district."

Rosen has been paired with Sen. Al DeKruif, R-Madison Lake. He said he'll speak with his family and supporters before making a decision. DeKruif, however, said he won't move into another district. If he runs he'll run against Rosen.

"If I get the nod from everybody that I should do this and then in my guy I feel right then I'll go," he said.

Senate District 31

Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, said she's talking with supporters about her political future. She was paired with Sen. Michael Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, who said he's running. Jungbauer told Late Debate Radio on Tuesday night that he will run in a primary.

Senate District 39

Sen. Ted Lillie, R-Lake Elmo and Sen. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake have been paired. I haven't caught up with either of them yet. Lillie told the Woodbury Patch that he's keeping his options open. They include moving to Woodbury or a possible run for Congress against Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL-MN.

Senate District 61

Sen. Ken Kelash, DFL-Minneapolis, sent out an e-mail saying he's thinking about running for an open Senate seat instead of challenging Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis. Dibble is running in the district.

Senate District 66

Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, and Sen. Mary Jo McGuire, DFL-Falcon Heights, both say they want to run again but want to talk about it first. Marty said he doesn't want a nasty endorsement battle.

"I would like to run again and she would like to run again too," Marty said. "That's the issue. We don't have that choice. We cannot both run for Senate in the same district."

McGuire said she probably won't make a decision until next week at the earliest, and she plans to discuss the situation with Marty.

"We, on policy issues, are very similar. So, it's hard, because I want to see John there and I want to see me there. I don't want to see either of us leave the Senate," she said.

House District 4B

Rep. Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, and Rep. Kent Eken, DFL-Twin Valley, say they won't run against each other.

"We're good friends and we're going to work this out in a way that works out best for the both of us," Eken said.

The two say they'll decide within a week. Eken and Marquart both said it's possible that one of them runs for a Minnesota Senate that is being vacated by Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, who is retiring.

"Kent and I have some options that others don't," Marquart said. "That's in our favor."

Marquart was careful to note that he has stated publicly that he would like to stay in the House which makes it likely that Eken could run for the Senate seat. He was meeting privately with former DFL Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe before he talked with MPR News.

House District 5A

This district pairs Rep. John Persell, DFL-Bemidji, with Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker. Both are expected to run for reelection. I didn't catch up with Howes yet but Persell said he's confident considering he currently represents a large portion of the new district.

"You look at the map and it looks like my district," Persell said. "I have a comfort level with that so if you campaign hard on the issues. Nothing has changed for me."

House District 5B

Rep. Tom Anzelc, DFL-Balsam Township, says he's running. He's paired against Rep. Carolyn McElfatrick, R-Deer River, told the Duluth News Tribune that she's running again.

House District 11B

Rep. Roger Crawford, R-Mora, has been paired with Rep. Bill Hilty, DFL-Finlayson. I didn't catch up with either of them today.

House District 17A

Rep. Lyle Koenen, DFL-Clara City, and Rep. Andrew Falk, DFL-Murdock, have been paired. I didn't catch up with either of them today. Neither returned calls to the West Central Tribune on Tuesday. One idea floated is that one of the candidates could challenge GOP Sen. Joe Gimse.

House District 18B

Rep. Ron Shimanski, R-Silver Lake, says he intends to come back to the Legislature.

"Absolutely," Shimanski said when asked if he's running again. "It will be up to our delegates to vote on our records."

Shimanski was paired with Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe. Gruenhagen wouldn't say what he intends to do.

"We're just taking a couple of days to let the dust settle on it," Gruenhagen said. "I'm just taking it a couple of days to think it through."

House District 23B

Rep. Paul Torkelson, R-Nelson Township, has been paired with Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder. Cornish told The Mankato Free Press that he's running for reelection.

Torkelson said he intends to run for office but wouldn't give more specifics.

"I'm committed to coming back here," Torkelson said.

His options include challenging Cornish or running in an open district that includes a large portion of his current seat.

House District 35B

Rep. Branden Peterson, R-Andover, says he'll run for an open state Senate seat instead of challenging Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover. Peterson said the growing population in their area made it likely that there could be another seat in that district. He said he and Scott discussed it prior to the maps coming out this week.

"We kind of already knew what our approach was going to be," Peterson said. "That's why you saw my announcement so quickly."

House District 38B

Rep. Carol McFarlane, R-White Bear Lake, has been paired with House Majority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood. McFarlane told MPR News on Tuesday that she's still weighing her options. Dean wasn't available to comment on Wednesday.

House District 39A

Rep. Bob Dettmer, R-Forest Lake, and Rep. Bob Barrett, R-Shafer, have been paired together. I didn't catch up with them yet.

House District 41A

Rep. Tom Tilberry, DFL-Fridley, says he intends to run for reelection.

"I'm forging ahead as if nothing is different," Tilberry said. "I'm planning on going to an endorsing convention."

Tilberry was paired with Rep. Kate Knuth, DFL-New Brighton. Knuth says she hasn't decided what she's going to do. She said she's going to talk with a lot of people before she decides.

"Redistricting is a time where people reassess their personal futures," Knuth said. "But I would like to do that in the context of my community and my state."

House District 56A

This one wasn't on the initial incumbent pairings because the court put in an old address for Rep. Mark Buesgens. Buesgens now lives in Savage and has been paired with Rep. Pam Myrha, R-Burnsville. I didn't catch up with either of them yet.

House District 61A

Both Rep. Marion Greene, DFL-Minneapolis, and Rep. Frank Hornstein, DFL-Minneapolis, say they will seek their party's endorsement.

"We both wish it weren't this way," Greene said. "But it is what it is and it's about continuing our work here. It's not about any strife between us. He and I continue to get along."

Greene said she's just getting going as a lawmaker and has a lot more to do. Hornstein said he'll emphasize his experience to delegates.

"I have lived in the two areas for 23 years," Hornstein said. "I have represented the area on the Met Council and, of course, in the Legislature for ten years."

House District 63B

Rep. Llinda Slocum, DFL-Richfield, says she intends to move from her current district into an open seat in Richfield. She said she was looking to downsize from her family home now that her children are older and moved out of the house. She said the open seat in 50A includes roughly half of her current district.

"I have been looking at houses while waiting for the map to drop," Slocum said. "It's mostly the same district in 50A." Slocum joked the mayor of Richfield offered her a room in his home if she doesn't close on a place by May 1st.

Slocum was paired with Rep. Jean Wagenius, DFL-Minneapolis.

House District 66A

Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, is running for reelection. She has been paired with Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville. Greiling announced her retirement before the new maps were released.

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Court panel pairs Bachmann, McCollum in new 4th District

Posted at 1:13 PM on February 21, 2012 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, Redistricting, U.S. House

The panel charged with drawing the state's new political boundaries made few changes to the new Congressional map. The plan pairs DFL Rep. Betty McCollum with GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and creates an open seat in Minnesota's 6th District. Every other incumbent is protected. The big question is whether Bachmann decides to run in the 4th District or in the 6th District.

Bachmann has a round of interviews scheduled this afternoon to respond to the new maps.

Bachmann's staffers tell MPR News that Bachmann has decided to run in the new 6th District and not take her chances in the 4th District. They note that she's not required to live in the district and didn't say whether she'll move into the new 6th District.

Will be updated:

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Nolan wins DFL Straw Poll in Minnesota's 8th District

Posted at 1:09 PM on February 8, 2012 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, Redistricting, U.S. House

NOTE: This story was updated with new vote totals.

Former DFL Congressman Rick Nolan won a straw poll of DFL caucus-goers in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District.

Districts are still reporting results, but Nolan has so far picked up 1531 votes. Duluth City Council member Jeff Anderson received 991 votes. Former state Sen. Tarryl Clark received 406 votes. At least 262 voters said they were uncommitted.

I'll update with final results when they come in (Itasca County and five precincts in Chisago County are still out). (All but roughly six precincts have reported)

"If the straw poll is any indication, and I believe it is, we are on the road to the endorsement and to victory in November," Nolan said in a statement.

The three DFL candidates are vying to win the DFL nomination and challenge GOP incumbent Rep. Chip Cravaack.

Nolan is the only candidate who says he will abide by the endorsement. Anderson hasn't said whether he'll abide by the endorsement, and Clark, who lost her first bid for Congress to GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann, said she'll abide by the endorsement but only if the process is "fair."

Though it appears she will take third place in the DFL's straw poll, Clark has raised more money than the other Democrats. In this cycle, she raised $530,000 and has $275,000 in the bank. Nolan raised $125,000 thousand, and has $35,000 in the bank. Anderson raised $74,000 for the cycle and has $13,000 thousand in the bank.

Redistricting is complicating the DFL endorsement process. A five-judge panel has been tasked with releasing a set of congressional and legislative boundaries as a result of the once-a-decade redistricting process, and the new map could change the makeup of the race.

Here's Nolan's statement:

Our campaign made a strong statement last night with a convincing win. Our message is obviously resonating because people want to matter again in Washington, and they know I will fight for them everyday. That's why people across northern Minnesota are embracing our campaign and giving us the clear momentum in this race.

As DFL'ers, we're uniting on the issues. We are determined to end wars of choice, establish universal single payer health care, protect Medicare and Social Security, re-invest in infrastructure and rebuild our economy to generate the good paying jobs we need in northern Minnesota and across the country.

For those things to happen, we now need to unite behind one Congressional candidate to defeat Chip Cravaack and take back the 8th for progressive values. If the straw poll is any indication, and I believe it is, we are on the road to the endorsement and to victory in November.

Moving forward, I am determined to unite our party and marshal the resources we're going to need to defeat Mr. Cravaack and make working families, seniors, students, small businesses and all of us in the 99 percent matter again in Washington.

Clark issued this statement after the results:

"Yesterday's caucuses marks the beginning of the election process, much like the coin flip at Sunday's Super Bowl. We have a long way to go, and I'm excited about all the volunteers and grassroots donors that are joining the campaign every day. The stakes are too high to let "politics as usual" determine the fate of Minnesota and our country. We need real leadership in Washington, leaders who will not rest until the priorities of Minnesota families are put before Wall Street and big corporations. We need someone with a track record of service to our community, and the energy and commitment to stand strong in these tough times."

Here's a statement from Anderson:

"We are very pleased with the results from last night's straw poll. With district lines still unclear, we concentrated our efforts on the heart of the current Eighth District, and our efforts were rewarded with overwhelming support in Duluth and on the Iron Range. We won St. Louis County, including Duluth, Cloquet, Chisholm, Virginia, and Aurora by two to one margins. Despite being heavily outspent, the results clearly show that the momentum is on our side. We remain confident that once we finally know what the district will look like, our message of progressive homegrown leadership will see us through to a November face off with Rep. Cravaack."

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Will taxpayers pay legal fees in redistricting battle?

Posted at 12:54 PM on December 24, 2011 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, MN Legislature, Mark Dayton, Redistricting, U.S. House

One interesting part of the legal battle over redrawing the state's political boundaries is who is paying the attorneys in the case. A five judge panel has oral arguments over the proposed maps on Jan. 4. The court appointed panel is likely to determine the makeup of the state's political boundaries for Minnesota's 8 congressional districts and the 201 legislative districts. The state has to redraw the state's political boundaries once every ten years to ensure that each citizen is guaranteed equal representation under the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Minnesota.

Attorneys representing the Republicans and the Democrats have been working to influence the court to adopt their proposed set of maps and redistricting criteria. MPR News has already reported that the public may never know who is paying the bulk of the legal fees in the battle. It's also possible that the high-profile attorneys in the case could receive taxpayer money for their efforts.

Arguments are being made before the panel to declare the state's current political boundaries unconstitutional because the boundaries don't provide equal representation under the U.S. Constitution. If the court declares the boundaries unconstitutional, federal law could allow the court to order "a reasonable attorney's fees as part of the costs" under the Civil Rights Act. (Note: It shouldn't come as a surprise that the boundaries don't meet constitutional muster since the entire point of redistricting is resetting the boundaries after the once-a-decade census is taken).

There is some precedent for the court to award fees to attorneys involved in the redistricting battle. In 2002, the redistricting panel at the time ordered the state of Minnesota to pay $368,430 to the four sets of attorneys in the case. The panel relied on the argument that the all of the parties "prevailed" in the case and were awarded the funds. The panel put forward a set of maps that relied on input from all of the parties involved.

One key question for the current five-judge panel is how they will interpret which party prevails in the case. It's unlikely that the panel will adopt a set of maps that are identical to the proposals put forward by the parties. If history is a guide, the court will draw a new set of boundaries that relies on input from all of the parties involved. If that's the case, all of the parties could be eligible for attorneys fees from the state's treasury.

To date, the five-judge panel tasked with drawing the state's political boundaries has been reluctant to address the issue. The court heard arguments on the matter in October but declined to act at the time. Presiding Judge Wilhelmina Wright issued an order Friday saying she will not allow arguments on the constitutionality of the current boundaries at its hearing on Jan. 4.

One group that could prevent taxpayer money from being spent on attorney's fees is Gov. Dayton and the Republican-controlled Legislature. The two sides have until Feb. 21 to agree on a set of maps. If that happens, the court won't have to step in and take over the process. Gov. Dayton and GOP legislators have said, however, that it's unlikely they will reach an agreement.

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UFCW backs Rick Nolan's bid for Congress

Posted at 9:43 PM on December 1, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: 2012, Redistricting, U.S. House

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 1189 are backing Democrat Rick Nolan's campaign for Congress.

"This is a very important endorsement for our union. The assault on working families has never been more aggressive," UFCW President Don Seaquist said in a statement. "We need more than someone who just supports our fight for collective bargaining rights, fair wages, and job creation. We need a champion and an effective leader at this critical hour. Rick is that person!"

Nolan, who is running in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District said he's thrilled by the endorsement.

"This endorsement is another strong sign that our campaign is resonating with working families in the 8th District and beyond," Nolan said in a fundraising letter to supporters."

Nolan is vying for the DFL endorsement against former state Sen. Tarryl Clark, Duluth City Council member Jeff Anderson and Daniel Fanning.

Whoever wins the DFL nomination is likely to square off against Republican Chip Cravaack but it depends on how the state's political boundaries are redrawn as a result of redistricting.

Quist making another run for Congress

Posted at 12:06 PM on November 26, 2011 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, Redistricting, U.S. House

Allen Quist is making another run for Congress in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. He is scheduled to formally announce his intentions on December 1, according to a letter he sent to GOP activists. The letter, obtained by MPR News, has a banner that says "Allen Quist for Congress, 'Restoring the American Dream."

"I am announcing to you that I will become a candidate for First District Congress," Quist's letter to activists said. "I intend to announce on December 1."

The letter said Quist will be making campaign stops in Winona, Rochester, Austin, Albert Lea and Owatonna on Thursday. He'll campaign in Mankato, New Ulm, Fairmont and Worthington on Friday. Quist's wife, Julie Quist, declined to answer questions about the letter when contacted by MPR News.

"Allen will be announcing a decision next Thursday, December 1st, in Winona at 8:00 am," Julie Quist wrote in an e-mail "He won't be doing any interviews before that time."

In his letter, Quist said he's making another run for Congress because "grassroots Republicans have encouraged him to run." He also said the country needed "leaders who understand that our country is being taken over a cliff."

Quist lost the GOP endorsement in 2010 to Randy Demmer. He also made two unsuccessful runs for governor in 1994 and 1998. He won the GOP endorsement for governor in 1994 but lost in the primary to incumbent Gov. Arne Carlson. Quist also served in the Minnesota House from 1983 until he retired in 1989.

Quist's decision means there will be an endorsement battle to see who will be the party's eventual nominee. Another Republican, state Sen. Mike Parry of Waseca, is also running.

The eventual GOP nominee is expected to square off with DFL Rep. Tim Walz. Walz was first elected in 2006.

The big question mark is how the court draws the new political boundaries for Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. The current district extends across the southern border from South Dakota to Wisconsin. It includes Rochester, Worthington, Mankato, Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna and Winona.

A court appointed panel will release the new political boundaries on Feb. 21 if Gov. Dayton and the GOP-controlled Legislature can't reach agreement before then. The process known as redistricting requires every district to be equal population based on the once a decade population count by the U.S. Census.

(MPR's Rupa Shenoy contributed to this report)

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McCollum raising money off of DFL redistricting plan

Posted at 6:00 AM on November 22, 2011 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, Michele Bachmann, Redistricting, U.S. House

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is taking a potential match-up with GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann seriously.

In a fundraising e-mail to supporters, McCollum complained about the DFL redistricting plan but also started laying the groundwork for what could be a contentious and expensive race.

"I don't know what DFL Party leadership and their attorneys were thinking - they didn't consult with me.

The congressional redistricting map submitted by the DFL to the state Supreme Court's "Special Redistricting Panel" pits Minnesota's two congresswomen against one another: Michele Bachmann against me."

The DFL Party proposed a map that would pair McCollum and Bachmann in the same district. McCollum, who lives in St. Paul, currently represents a heavily Democratic district. Bachmann, from Stillwater, represents the GOP leaning 6th District.

McCollum, who was first elected to Congress in 2000, suggested a race against Bachmann will cost millions.

"I could be in for a re-election campaign that would require me to raise $4 million, $5 million, or even more to win if Rep. Bachmann is my opponent. Remember - in 2010 Bachmann spent $11.1 million to win re-election!"

It isn't certain whether McCollum will be paired with Bachmann. A special redistricting panel will release its set of maps on Feb. 21 if Gov. Dayton and the GOP-controlled Legislature can't agree before then. The GOP plan doesn't pair any incumbents.

Another uncertainty is whether Bachmann runs for reelection. The 6th District Republican is currently running for president and hasn't said whether she'll run for Congress if she fails to win the GOP nomination. In the e-mail, McCollum characterized Bachmann as the founder of the Congressional Tea Party Caucus and a "right-wing darling."

It isn't the first time McCollum has gone after Bachmann. She criticized Bachmann earlier this year at a fundraiser.

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DFL Chair: I did what's best for the party

Posted at 10:58 AM on November 21, 2011 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, Redistricting, U.S. House

DFL Party Chair Ken Martin says the party submitted a redistricting map to the courts late Friday that is in the best interest of the DFL Party and not what's best for the state's current elected officials. The proposal upset DFL Rep. Betty McCollum and DFL Rep. Collin Peterson, who both characterized the map as political. Martin said he understands their frustration, but he said the party put forward a proposal that serves the public interest and the best interest of the DFL Party.

"My job is to do what's in the interest of the party for the long-term and to make sure that we're putting forward a map that reflects the will of the court panel in terms of the criteria established as well as the public testimony," Martin told MPR News. "We want to do what's in the best interest of our elected officials and our stakeholders, but it's very tough to make everyone happy in this process and our job as a party and legally is to make sure that we're doing what's in the best interest of the party for the long-term."

Martin declined further comment about the criticism from McCollum and Peterson.

A five-member judicial panel tasked with creating a set of redistricting plans will now study the maps submitted by the state's political parties and other groups. The panel will use those proposals and review public testimony before it starts drawing the state's political boundaries. The judicial panel will take over the process on Feb. 21 if Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and the GOP-controlled Legislature fail to reach agreement on a set of maps.

Dayton, who vetoed the GOP plan during the 2011 session, said he didn't think the two sides would reach agreement. The state has to redraw Minnesota's eight congressional districts and 201 legislative districts to ensure equal population after the 2010 Census.

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Bachmann to sign her book at MOA on Black Friday

Posted at 10:12 AM on November 19, 2011 by Tom Scheck (6 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, Michele Bachmann, Redistricting, U.S. House

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is scheduled to hold a book signing at the Mall of America on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

The Barnes and Noble store at the Mall of America says Bachmann will sign her book "Core of Conviction: My Story" at the Mall of America at 8am on Nov. 25. AP obtained an advanced copy of the book and wrote about it here.

Bachmann, who is seeking the GOP nomination for president, will be signing the book at a time when shoppers are ramping up their holiday purchases.

The book signing will be a rare Minnesota appearance for the 6th District Congresswoman. She has been spending a large part of her time campaigning for president in Iowa and South Carolina. Bachmann has not said whether she intends to run for reelection if she fails to win the GOP nomination for president.

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McCollum takes aim at DFL Party over redistricting plans

Posted at 5:10 PM on November 18, 2011 by Tom Scheck (6 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, Redistricting

MPR News is still trying to access the DFL Party's proposed redistricting plans - but one of the state's Congressional members is not pleased with the map. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum's chief of staff Bill Harper issued a statement blasting DFL Party Chair Ken Martin and the members of the DFL Party's legal team.

"The DFL Chair and his high paid lawyers have proposed a congressional map to the redistricting panel that is hyper-partisan and bizarre. Their plan ignores the judge's redistricting criteria and it insults established communities of interest, particularly in the East Metro. Congresswoman McCollum has faith in the judges on the panel to draw fair political boundaries that will serve the best interests of all Minnesotans."

MPR News could not reach Harper to comment on why he's upset with the DFL map. A call to McCollum's spokeswoman has also not been returned.

One factor could be that McCollum would end up in the same district as GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann if the DFL map is approved by the court. The DFL map pairs McCollum and Bachmann.

MPR News viewed one proposed map by DFLers that paired the two together. A person with knowledge of that map said that the DFL map would submit that proposed map to the courts.

Will be updated...

Here's the proposed map:

Martin Intervenors Congressional Map_Minnesota-2

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Court panel sets redistricting criteria

Posted at 6:11 PM on November 4, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: 2012, MN Legislature, Mark Dayton, Redistricting

With MPR's Rupa Shenoy...

The five-member panel charged with redrawing the state's political boundaries issued an order today detailing the criteria they will use to draw those maps.

For the first time, the panel said the metropolitan area should be regarded as 11 counties, not seven. As a result more exurban counties could be tied into districts in suburban and urban areas.

That was an approach Republicans favored, said Elizabeth Brama who represents the Republican party on redistricting. She said it's unclear what effect the change will have.

"I don't think it's a question of one party or the other benefiting," Brama said. "I think it's more a question of just fairly representing where the people in the state of Minnesota live and how they organize themselves."

Brama said the council's decision may reflect how people in ex-urban counties formerly considered rural may now see themselves as more urban.

DFL party chair Ken Martin wasn't surprised by those changes.

"I think it's pretty pro forma and certainly establishes a lot of the same principles that were in place ten years ago," Martin said. "Again, without discussing this further with my team and being able to look at it more in detail, I can't comment any more than that. But on the surface I think it's fine. I don't think it give any party an advantage over another."

The court order also suggests that it will consider communities of interest to include "social, geographic, political, cultural, ethnic, economic or other interests." Attorneys for the DFL Party were arguing that those communities of interest are critical to redrawing the lines.

The five-member panel is tasked with creating a set of maps for the state's eight congressional districts and 201 legislative districts if Gov. Dayton and the GOP-controlled Legislature can't agree on a map. Dayton vetoed a GOP plan earlier this year and he suggested it's unlikely an agreement can be reached before the Feb. 21 deadline. The court will take over the process at that time.

You can read the full order here.

Parties make their case to court on Redistricting

Posted at 1:48 PM on October 26, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: 2012, MN Legislature, Mark Dayton, Redistricting

A five-judge panel that's likely to end up drawing the state's political boundaries heard arguments Wednesday about the best way to do it.

Attorneys for the political parties made their case to the panel Wednesday. Republicans say the court should make population changes its top priority. Democrats argued the court should give communities of interest -- like minority populations -- equal weight.

Attorney Eric Magnuson, who is representing the Republican Party, said DFL attorneys are going too far with their recommendation.

"What he's really proposing is that you have subjective and kind of nebulous criteria so that they can maybe fashion things a little bit more the way they want them," Magnuson said. "In our view, maybe those are arguments you can make to the Legislature but when you're arguing to the court, you have to follow the constitution and the statute."

But Marc Elias, an attorney representing Democrats, said the court needs to also consider communities. He said drawing the lines on population alone hurts certain communities such as minorities.

"It's not enough to stop there because if life were that simple we wouldn't be here," Elias said. "If it was just a mechanical process of taking these higher level criteria and applying them mechanically then indeed we wouldn't need hearings."

The parties have to submit their proposed maps to the court by November 18th. The court will take over the process if Governor Dayton and the GOP-controlled Legislature can't reach an agreement on the new congressional and legislative districts by February 21st.

A reporter asked Dayton to give odds on whether he can reach agreement with the Legislature on a map before the deadline.

"Somewhere between the Vikings winning the division and the Vikings winning the Super Bowl," Dayton said. "But there's always hope."

You can listen to the full redistricting hearing here: Listen

Pool Photo provided by the Star Tribune's Glen Stubbe.

Emmer to speak at Ron Paul event

Posted at 6:01 PM on October 13, 2011 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, Mark Dayton, Michele Bachmann, Redistricting, U.S. House

Tom Emmer, the GOP nominee for governor in 2010, is scheduled to emcee an event for Texas Congressman Ron Paul in November. Paul is scheduled to speak at the St. Cloud Civic Center on Nov. 5. A news release from Paul's campaign for president said Emmer and fellow KTLK radio host Bob Davis will emcee the event. Paul is scheduled to give a speech and will participate in what the campaign is saying will be the "celebratory launch" of his Minnesota state operations.

Emmer couldn't be reached to comment on whether his appearance should be considered an endorsement. He's considered a possible candidate for Congress in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District if GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann either wins the GOP nomination for president or decides against making another run for Congress. Bachmann campaigned heavily for Emmer in 2010. He lost his bid for governor to Democrat Mark Dayton.

The shape of Minnesota's 6th Congressional District has yet to be determined. Gov. Dayton and the Legislature are required to come up with a plan to redraw the state's political boundaries. A court appointed panel will draw the lines if the two sides can't reach agreement by Feb. 21.

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MNGOP keeping Feb. 7 Caucus date

Posted at 12:22 PM on September 30, 2011 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2012, MN Legislature, Michele Bachmann, Redistricting, U.S. House, U.S. Senate

The Minnesota Republican Party intends to keep the date for the precinct caucuses on Feb. 7. State law requires the caucuses to be held on that day but can be moved if the GOP and the DFL agree to change it. (Update: law requires public facilities to be made available to the parties that day. Parties can hold caucuses on other day but will have to pay for the expenses).

"As of right now we are scheduling for Feb. 7 and we have no plans to change that," Westover said.

Minnesota's precinct caucuses are scheduled to be held one day after Iowa's precinct caucuses. That date, however, has been put into doubt after Republicans in Florida voted to hold that state's primary on Jan. 31. That upset the early primary schedule set forth by the Republican National Committee that determined voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada will go first. The RNC has threatened to strip Florida from half of its delegates at the national convention if they continue with the move.

The reason Minnesota isn't in violation is because the precinct caucuses are nonbinding.

"We are kosher as far as the party rules go," Westover said. "Our delegates are not bound by the decisions that are not bound by the decisions made on Feb. 7."

The party usually holds a straw poll on caucus night which could help Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's bid to be the GOP nominee.

Kristen Sosanie, with the DFL Party, says they are also planning to hold the precinct caucuses on Feb. 7. She said they asked the Democratic National Committee to approve the move and are waiting for a reply.

One potential problem with the early caucus date is how it will impact the state's legislative races. It's likely that candidates for the Minnesota House and Senate (and Congress) won't know exactly where the boundaries of their districts are. That's because the court appointed panel on redistricting won't release its map until February 21. Candidates may be forced to organize for caucuses in precincts that they may not represent after the new lines are drawn.

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Redistricting panel schedules public hearings

Posted at 3:33 PM on September 9, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: 2012, MN Legislature, Mark Dayton, Redistricting, U.S. House

The State of Minnesota's Special Redistricting panel has scheduled eight public hearings across Minnesota to discuss the redistricting process. The hearings, which start on October 5, will be held in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Cloquet, Bemidji, Moorhead, St. Cloud and Mankato.

The judicial panel scheduled the hearings to gather input on the best way to draw the state's new political boundaries. The court will take over the process in February if Gov. Dayton and the GOP controlled Legislature fail to enact a set of maps into law.

The stakes are huge for politicians and political parties. The new lines will determine the state's eight congressional districts and 201 legislative districts. The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2010 Census data in March. The political boundaries have to be redrawn to ensure equal population in each legislative and congressional district.

One interesting note is that Rochester and other southeastern Minnesota cities are not included on the list.

You can read the order and find out where the hearings will be held here.