Posts Tagged ‘Minnesota’

From Twincities.com:

Rep. Marty Seifert’s steady climb to become Minnesota House minority leader in 2007 coincided with the ascension of fellow Republican Tom Emmer, who became deputy leader in just his second House term. Now the two former partners are battling for the GOP’s backing for governor.

The contest will culminate at the Republican Party convention, which begins Thursday in Minneapolis. The endorsement for governor comes Friday.

Both Emmer and Seifert say they’ll drop out if party delegates endorse someone else in the seven-candidate field, which has essentially narrowed to a two-man race. Those promises should spare Republicans a competitive primary like the one awaiting Democrats.

It’s a key race for a Republican Party clinging to its only base of power in a state government otherwise dominated by Democrats; Gov. Tim Pawlenty is voluntarily vacating the office after two terms and weighing a possible White House bid.

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From TwinCities.com:

All 68 Republican members of the Minnesota Legislature are asking the state’s Democratic attorney general for a lawsuit over the federal health care overhaul.

They are urging Attorney General Lori Swanson to challenge the constitutionality of a requirement that individuals buy health insurance and a population-based tax on states.

Sen. Julianne Ortman of Chanhassen says Swanson should set aside her politics and immediately join other states that are suing. Ortman held a Capitol news conference today.

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From StarTribune.com:

The Minnesota House overwhelmingly approved a measure Thursday to change the cabin season into a primary season by switching the state’s primary from September to Aug. 10.

The House voted 126-5 on the measure. The Senate unanimously approved a similar measure last week. The Senate may vote to send the bill to Gov. Tim Pawlenty early next week.

Pawlenty has expressed support for the move, which would help military and other overseas voters get their ballots in on time and helps Minnesota comply with a new federal law.

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From wcco.com:

“I hope the discussions we have will be fruitful,” said Democratic Sen. Linda Berglin, the sponsor of the vetoed bill. “It’s not clear at this point they will.”

Pawlenty shrugged off the vote, calling it “largely ceremonial.” He is confident GOP House members will stick with him, a prediction backed up by leading Republican Rep. Kurt Zellers.

“I don’t know why they would want to go into an override vote when they’re in negotiations on the issue,” said Zellers, of Maple Grove.

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From StarTribune.com:

DFL legislative leaders will try again this session to move the state’s primary election from September to August, even though Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed such a shift last year.

This time around, however, an earlier primary date is being prompted by a new federal law that all but mandates it.

A massive defense spending bill signed into law last year contains a provision that requires states to give overseas voters — including those in the military — at least 45 days to mail back their general election ballots this fall.

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From Twincities.com:

“Never heard of him,” said Patricia Goulet, of Concord, shopping for books at a local Borders Bookstore.

How about you, Susan Chabot, of Manchester? “No.”

He’s the governor of Minnesota. Ring a bell, Rich Audet, of Northfield? “Nope.”

Little more than a year after the last presidential election, the Minnesota governor made an early stop in a state key to any national political campaign’s strategy — New Hampshire. It was yet another potential building block by Pawlenty as he explores whether he could put together a viable presidential candidacy.

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