Wednesday, June 28, 2023
SNAPSHOT
Though the U.S. Senate race seemed to hold the most promise for a close race, it was the governor's race in Minnesota that grabbed the election-night headlines. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty held onto his office by just 22,000 votes over DFLer Mike Hatch. But Pawlenty saw his GOP colleagues swept out of office. In the Senate race, DFLer Amy Klobuchar easily beat Rep. Mark Kennedy.
The retirement of Sen. Mark Dayton sparked early interest in the campaign, with Rep. Mark Kennedy jumping in early. But a year later, Kennedy emerged as the lone Republican for the job, and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar's strength was forcing several Democrats, including Patty Wetterling, out of the race.
The Senate race immediately attracted national attention, but as Klobuchar surged ahead of Kennedy in the polls, much national attention turned to the 6th District, where Patty Wetterling and state Sen. Michele Bachmann were the major contenders. Bachmann beat Wettlerling. It was Wetterling's second straight loss in the district. In the 5th, Rep. Keith Ellison became the first Muslim congressman. And in the 1st, incumbent Gil Gutknecht was defeated by DFLer Tim Walz.
Though the U.S. Senate race seemed to hold the most promise for a close race, it was the governor's race in Minnesota that grabbed the election-night headlines. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty held onto his office by just 22,000 votes over DFLer Mike Hatch. But Pawlenty saw his GOP colleagues swept out of office. In the Senate race, DFLer Amy Klobuchar easily beat Rep. Mark Kennedy.
The retirement of Sen. Mark Dayton sparked early interest in the campaign, with Rep. Mark Kennedy jumping in early. But a year later, Kennedy emerged as the lone Republican for the job, and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar's strength was forcing several Democrats, including Patty Wetterling, out of the race.
The Senate race immediately attracted national attention, but as Klobuchar surged ahead of Kennedy in the polls, much national attention turned to the 6th District, where Patty Wetterling and state Sen. Michele Bachmann were the major contenders. Bachmann beat Wettlerling. It was Wetterling's second straight loss in the district. In the 5th, Rep. Keith Ellison became the first Muslim congressman. And in the 1st, incumbent Gil Gutknecht was defeated by DFLer Tim Walz.
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One week after saying he wanted to crack down on illegal immigration, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed ways to help legal immigrants. The Republican governor's plan includes a new tax credit for immigrants seeking citizenship, and more money for English language instruction and immunizations.
(01/12/2006)
DFL gubernatorial candidate Kelly Doran has added State Sen. Sheila Kiscaden to his ticket. Kiscaden was an Independence Party member and former Republican from Rochester, who is switching to the DFL Party. Doran and Kiscaden say they plan to reach out to Minnesotans across the political spectrum.
(01/09/2006)
Gov. Pawlenty wants the state to add facial recognition technology to Minnesota drivers' licenses to prevent identity theft. His announcement comes a day after Attorney General Mike Hatch raised similar concerns, and signals that identity theft could be a hot topic in the race for governor.
(01/05/2006)
A group of state lawmakers, civil rights leaders and business owners is getting behind a proposal that would make it harder for local governments to take private property from one group and give it to another private entity.
(01/05/2006)
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch says the DPS is compromising personal privacy and helping identity thieves.
(01/04/2006)
Immigration issues have moved to the forefront of political debate in recent weeks, thanks largely to Gov. Tim Pawlenty. It began in December when Pawlenty released what has become a controversial report on the costs associated with illegal immigration. And it continued this week, when the governor outlined a series of proposals to identify and crack down on illegal immigration in Minnesota.
(01/04/2006)
A young attorney from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is launching what could be an historic campaign for the Minnesota Senate. If Irene Folstrom wins, she would be the first Indian woman to be elected to the state Legislature.
(12/31/2005)
Supporters of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota are going to have a tougher time getting the measure on the ballot next November. They've lost two critical votes in the Minnesota Senate in recent special elections.
(12/28/2005)
The election won't change the balance of the House or Senate. And political experts aren't sure if the election is an accurate gauge of what might happen in this fall's election.
(12/28/2005)
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch has announced a series of legislative proposals to help Minnesotans guard against identity theft.
(12/21/2005)
Rep. Mark Kennedy, an opponent of drilling in
Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, voted for a defense bill
Monday that authorizes it.
(12/19/2005)
Gov. Pawlenty says he's meeting with groups across the state to discuss the impact of illegal immigration in Minnesota, which he calls a serious problem and needs immediate attention. Critics say Pawlenty is using the issue of immigration as a political wedge to help him get reelected next year.
(12/16/2005)
Now, as party activists learn of DFLer Kelly Doran's past donations to Republicans, the candidate for governor finds himself defending his Democratic credentials.
(12/16/2005)
President Bush traveled to Minnesota Friday to raise money for the U.S. Senate campaign of Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy. Bush spoke about the need to be tough on terrorism, and also urged Republicans to elect Kennedy to the Senate.
(12/09/2005)
President Bush is in town Friday raising money for Minnesota Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy's U.S. Senate bid. With Bush's poll numbers languishing, will he be able to help Republicn candidates?
( 12/09/2005)