Among the endorsed major party candidates for governor, only Peter Hutchinson of the Independence Party has never before held elected office. But he has a public record, serving more than three years as the superintendent of the Minneapolis school district. (08/13/2006)

Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson unveiled a health care plan that he says will save state and local governments as much as $1.2 billion a year. His plan includes requiring all Minnesotans to have health insurance and slashing administrative costs in half. (08/11/2006)

Independence Party-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson offered a lesson on "the price of government" at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute Thursday. His speech was part of the Humphrey's series of "policy talks" from major party candidates for governor. (Midday, 08/11/2006)

The war on terror is suddenly getting a lot more attention on the campaign trail. Minnesota's U.S. Senate candidates were among the politicians who responded quickly to news of the foiled terrorist plot in London to bomb commercial airliners, pledging their resolve to fight terrorism. (08/10/2006)

The issue of health care is heating up in the governor's race. Two candidates have already outlined health care proposals, and another two will weigh in on the issue this week. Political observers say the issue affects many Minnesotans' pocketbooks, but it's unclear whether it will ultimately affect their votes in November. (08/09/2006)

Connecticut Democrats decide today whether to nominate incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, the party's 2000 vice presidential candidate, for a fourth term or spurn him for his anti-Iraq war rival. What will the Connecticut primary portend for this fall's elections nationwide? (Midday, 08/08/2006)

Some political observers were surprised two years ago when Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry won in the Minneapolis suburb of Edina, long considered a Republican stronghold. This year's election will test whether that was a fluke. (08/06/2006)

The Republican-endorsed candidate for Minnesota's U.S. Senate race stepped up his criticism Friday of his chief DFL opponent. Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy said Amy Klobuchar has not taken a clear stance regarding the war in Iraq. Kennedy, who is trailing in the polls, said Minnesota's Senate race could determine which party controls the Senate next year. (08/04/2006)

The candidates for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat sparred over agriculture policy today at Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Republican Mark Kennedy and Democrat Amy Klobuchar both said it may be a good idea to extend current federal agriculture programs instead of writing a new farm bill next year. They disagreed over which one is the true friend of the farmer. (08/01/2006)

Increasing crime in Minneapolis is fueling concerns about public safety in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, which includes the city and several suburbs. Candidates in the race for that seat are responding with a string of public safety proposals. One DFLer has even gotten the endorsement of Hennepin County's Republican sheriff. (08/01/2006)

A Twin Cities speech by Tom Hamburger of the Los Angeles Times, author of "One Party Country: The Republican Plan for Dominance in the 21st Century." His speech at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute was followed by comments from leading Republican and Democratic activists in Minnesota. (Midday, 07/28/2006)

Polls suggest the war in Iraq will be a major issue for voters in the November election. The two leading candidates in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District are on opposite sides of the war. (07/26/2006)

In the first in a series of "major policy addresses" from the major-party gubernatorial candidates at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute, incumbent Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks about changes he'd like to see in the state's education system. (Midday, 07/26/2006)

Four DFL candidates for the 5th District Congressional seat discussed their views on the fighting between Israel and Lebanon in a debate Tuesday night in Minneapolis. (07/26/2006)

Two of the candidates running for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat are on the air with television ads. Republican Mark Kennedy hit the airwaves Tuesday with an ad touting his background. His DFL opponent, Amy Klobuchar, focuses her ads more on her experience as a prosecutor. (07/25/2006)