The Senate on Wednesday rejected a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, dealing a defeat to President Bush and Republicans who hope to use the measure to energize conservative voters on Election Day. (Midmorning, 06/07/2006)

The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party meets in Rochester this weekend to make endorsements for Senate, governor and state constitutional officers. How has the DFL changed over the years? (Midday, 06/07/2006)

Just three days before Democrats are expected to endorse a candidate for the U.S. Senate, first lady Laura Bush held a fundraiser for Republican candidate Mark Kennedy on Tuesday night. (06/06/2006)

Fresh from his party's convention, where he was officially endorsed on Friday, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty takes questions about his re-election bid from Minnesota Public Radio listeners. (Midday, 06/05/2006)

After wrapping up the GOP state convention over the weekend, party leaders say their base is energized to elect Republican candidates this fall. But some worry that conservative wing of the party my abandon them. (06/04/2006)

Delegates to the state Republican convention have overwhelmingly endorsed Gov. Tim Pawlenty in his bid for a second term. Pawlenty told delegates that he's been fighting a deeply liberal tradition for the past four years, and said the state needs leaders, not whiners. (06/02/2006)

Minnesota Republicans make their official endorsement for governor Friday, at their annual state party convention. Minnesota Public Radio News has live coverage of all the activities. (Midday, 06/02/2006)

Delegates to the state Republican convention are expected to handily endorse Gov. Tim Pawlenty for a second term Friday afternoon Pawlenty has led the state during a contentious and highly-polarized era at the Capitol, which included the state's first partial government shutdown. (06/02/2006)

Promising to bring Minnesota values to Washington, U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy on Thursday night secured the Republican endorsement as its 2006 candidate for the U.S. Senate. Kennedy's endorsement capped the first night of the state Republican convention at the Minneapolis Convention center. (06/01/2006)

Prominent conservative commentator Richard Viguerie recently argued that true conservatives should quit the Republican Party because the party is moving too far to the center. As the Minnesota Republican Party's state convention gets underway, two former Republican governors share their thoughts on the future of their party. (Midday, 06/01/2006)

Minnesota Republicans begin their state convention Thursday night in Minneapolis. The main order of business on the first night is to endorse a candidate for U.S. Senate. There's no surprise who that will be -- U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy, who has had the endorsement locked up for months. (06/01/2006)

It was a busy day for gubernatorial politics Wednesday. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty formally announced his re-election campaign. Democrats launched a campaign against Pawlenty and other Republicans. And DFL gubernatorial candidate Becky Lourey announced her running mate. (05/31/2006)

The Legislature has finished its business. Now the governor and most legislators have to focus their attention on their own re-elections. (Midday, 05/22/2006)

A bill passed by the House and Senate would prohibit anyone under the age of 17 from renting or buying some video games. Store owners would also have to post signs about the age restriction. (05/18/2006)

Patty Wetterling locked down the DFL endorsement in the 6th District on Saturday, setting up what promises to be a rip-roaring battle for Congress with the GOP's conservative candidate, Michele Bachmann. (05/13/2006)