Politics Friday

Closing argument time is here for candidates working to lock in Minnesota votes in a year with a lot on the line.

On this Politics Friday special, we’ll host the latest in our series of debates. This one features the contenders for secretary of state. We'll also hear from the candidates running for state auditor — a contest guaranteed to deliver a new officeholder next year.

And in the governor’s race, our “In Your Backyard” series takes a closer look at what influenced the major-party nominees. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst met with gubernatorial candidates Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth in places that helped shape their lives and political journeys.

Guests:

• Steve Simon is Minnesota Secretary of State and the DFL incumbent running for reelection.
• Tad Jude is the Republican candidate running for Minnesota Secretary of State.
• Amy Klobuchar is a U.S. senator and the DFL nominee for governor.
• Lisa Demuth is the Minnesota Speaker of the House and the Republican nominee for governor.
• Scott Jensen is a former member of the Minnesota Senate and the Republican state auditor candidate.
• Zack Filipovich is an accountant and the DFL state auditor candidate.
• Jay Reeves is an Army veteran and the Forward Independence Party state auditor candidate.
• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a senior politics reporter for MPR News.
• Ellie Roth is a politics reporter for MPR News.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Two hundred and one separate races will determine two very big things: control of the Minnesota House and the Minnesota Senate.

Prior elections produced the tightest margins at the Capitol in recent memory. For a time, both chambers were tied between the parties. Coming into this election, a single seat favored Democrats in the Senate and the House was all knotted up.

With a new governor coming in, the stakes are pretty high. With the majorities comes the power to set the agenda on spending, taxes and so many other policies.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst discusses the campaign with the caucus leaders of both parties trying to push the outcome in their direction.

The debates are in the rearview mirror in races for governor and U.S. Senate. We’ll check in with our politics reporters on what the end game looks like.

Guests:

• Sen. Erin Murphy, of St. Paul, is the DFL Senate majority leader.
• Sen. Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, is the Republican Senate minority leader.
• Rep. Harry Niska, of Ramsey, is the Republican caucus leader for the Minnesota House.
• Rep. Zack Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, is the DFL caucus leader for the Minnesota House.
• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a senior politics reporter for MPR News.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

A new senator will emerge from Election Day no matter what because there is no incumbent on the ballot.

The two major party candidates are here for their first — and possibly only — one-on-one debate. Friday at noon, the DFL Party’s nominee, Peggy Flanagan, and Republican nominee, Michele Tafoya, went head-to-head on the issues in a debate moderated by MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst.

Guests:

• Peggy Flanagan is the state’s 50th Lieutenant Governor, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and the U.S. Senate Democratic nominee.
• Michele Tafoya is a former sport broadcaster and the U.S. Senate Republican nominee.

Editor’s note: Ahead of a Friday debate between U.S. Senate candidates Michele Tafoya and Peggy Flanagan hosted by MPR News, politics editor Brian Bakst asked each to talk about how their lives helped form their politics.

On this special episode of Politics Friday, we feature conversations in a series we’re calling “In Your Backyard.”

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst recently met with U.S. Senate candidates Peggy Flanagan and Michele Tafoya at significant places to each of them for a personal conversation about their lives.

Lt. Gov. Flanagan, the Democratic nominee, invited Brian to a cultural center in a bustling Minneapolis neighborhood. Tafoya, the Republican nominee, asked to meet at a small-town ballpark.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Minnesota has eight members of the U.S. House and those seats don’t change hands often — but this November, one of them will for sure.

Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District has is no incumbent on the ballot. The seat has been held by U.S. Rep. Angie Craig for a little under eight years.

The open seat means a new representative in a district covering the southern metro suburbs and down into farm country. The two candidates vying for the job have spent time in the Minnesota state Senate.

MPR News host Catharine Richert moderates a debate between Matt Little, a Democrat, and Eric Pratt, a Republican.

Minnesota 2nd Congressional District Debate: Eric Pratt vs. Matt Little | Full Debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irWtUlUadqE

Later, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and the politics team will provide analysis of the debate and the latest from Minnesota’s campaign trail.

Guests:

• Eric Pratt is a Republican state senator of Prior Lake and a candidate for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.
• Matt Little is a former DFL state senator, a past mayor of Lakeville and a candidate for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.
• Laura McCallum is an editor for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a senior politics reporter for MPR News.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Two candidates vying to be Minnesota’s attorney general met Friday in their first debate.

DFL incumbent Keith Ellison, who is after a third term, and Republican Ron Schutz, an attorney, went head-to-head over issues defining their intense and increasingly expensive race.

Republicans last won a Minnesota attorney general’s race in 1966, although Ellison won by small margins in his past two elections.

On this special edition of Politics Friday, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst moderated the Minnesota attorney general debate.

Guests:

• Keith Ellison is a DFLer and a two-term attorney general.
• Ron Schutz is a Twin Cities attorney who is prominent in GOP circles.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

We’re delving into the practical effects of Minnesota electing its first woman as governor and what issues might get new attention at the state Capitol.

Barring something unforeseen, Minnesota will join the current list of 32 states that have elected a female chief executive.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with correspondent Dana Ferguson about the campaigns of Democratic nominee Amy Klobuchar and Republican nominee Lisa Demuth. Both have personal experience with breast cancer and both are talking about women’s health in a more-prominent way.

Then, a discussion of election polls. They’re everywhere this time of year. But the weight they carry is a source of debate.

Guests:

• Dana Ferguson is a correspondent for MPR News.
• Todd Rapp is the president and CEO at Rapp Strategies and an MPR News politics analyst.
• Peter Leatherman is chief executive officer of Morris Leatherman Company and has served in various research roles at the Minneapolis market and research firm.
• Ellie Roth is a politics reporter for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a senior politics reporter for MPR News.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Mark Dayton held a career in public service in Minnesota that spanned five decades.

He is well known for serving two terms the state’s governor, leaving office in 2019. Before that, Dayton’s career included stints as a state agency official, state auditor and U.S. senator.

Dayton talked with MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst to reflect on his career and discuss his new memoir, titled "Perseverance." In this conversation, Dayton recounts his personal challenges and his time as governor. He also revisits his call to increase taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans — a campaign promise he fulfilled— and his role in legalizing gay marriage in the state.

Also on this episode: election season is underway in Minnesota. On the ticket is an open governor’s race, an open U.S. Senate seat and the full state legislature. Both of the state's major party chairs join the conversation to share their political lay of the land as voting begins.

Guests:

• Mark Dayton served as the 40th governor of Minnesota. He also served as U.S. senator and Minnesota state auditor.
• Alex Plechash is chair of the Minnesota Republican Party.
• Richard Carlbom is chair of the Minnesota DFL Party.
• Dana Ferguson is a politics correspondent for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a senior politics reporter for MPR News.

Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

The country is acknowledging a somber anniversary: 25 years ago, America suffered its worst terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst explores how that event hit home in Minnesota with former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, whose first ballot-box victory came the same day as the attack. We’ll also look at whether the lessons from the attack endured and how that day changed the country in many ways.

Later, one last — brief — trip to the Great Minnesota Get Together.

The Minnesota State Fair was a hotbed of political activity with people sizing up candidates in between stops at attractions and food booths. We’ll hear from an underdog congressional candidate and what is on the minds of some voters with an election that's less than two months away.

Guests:

• R.T. Rybak is the former mayor of Minneapolis and the president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation.
• Doug Chapin, a Democrat, is the congressional candidate for Minnesota's 6th Congressional District.
• Dana Ferguson is a politics correspondent for MPR News.
• Laura McCallum is an editor and previous politics reporter for MPR News.

DFL U.S. Senate hopefuls U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan met for a live debate Monday on MPR News.

Senate debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDYHGPRp1E8

With about two weeks left until the primary election on Aug. 11, Flanagan and Craig responded to questions about fraud, immigration enforcement, Social Security and other issues.

Guests:

• Peggy Flanagan is Minnesota’s two-term lieutenant governor.
• Angie Craig is a four-term Democratic U.S. representative serving Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.

Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Thousands of the most politically involved Minnesotans are trading a leisurely spring weekend for the rough-and-tumble of indoor state party conventions.

They're weighing who they want to carry party banners in races for governor, U.S. Senate and much more. Republicans will gather in Duluth, while DFLers are on their way to Rochester.

How are Democrats and Republicans preparing for November’s midterm election? What advantages or headwinds are there for each party?

MPR News hosts Brian Bakst and Clay Masters will speak with candidates, party leaders, convention delegates and political analysts in a two-hour special broadcast from both party conventions.

Guests:

• Todd Rapp, a DFLer, is the CEO and President of Rapp Strategies Inc.
• Chas Anderson, a Republican, is the CEO and senior principal at Park Street Public.
• Dan Kraker is a correspondent for MPR News based in Duluth.
• Catharine Richert is a correspondent for MPR News based in Rochester.
• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a politics reporter for MPR News.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Minnesota lawmakers have headed home for the year. The Legislature adjourned earlier this week after enacting some priorities and setting others to the side.

Some bills still await action by Gov. Tim Walz. Barring a special session, these will be the last bills that Walz confronts after two terms in office.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Walz about the highs and the lows over his eight years in office.

Then, a recap of this year’s session. There were somber moments, tense exchanges and lots of debate over the past few months. We’ll take a look back with our political reporters.

Guests:

• Gov. Tim Walz is a second-term Minnesota governor.
• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a politics reporter for MPR News.

Minnesota lawmakers are filling in the details of a legislative budget agreement struck this week and will have to hustle to pass the bills needed to enact it.

If they do, Minnesotans will see reductions in their vehicle registration, help with rising property taxes, continuation of a lead pipe replacement push and more. A key hospital in Minneapolis would get a lifeline and counties would get money to replace old technology that makes running programs difficult and fraud more of a risk.

The Legislature was tasked with a compact agenda and it looks like that is what will result. Items that were seen as politically problematic were kept to the side in favor of proposals that could get bipartisan buy-in.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with the Minnesota’s four caucus leaders about how a session-ending agreement came together — two DFLers and two Republicans.

Then, a check-in with our state Capitol team, and what they’re picking up on, as the Legislature inches closer to its conclusion.

Guests:

• Rep. Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, is a Republican and the speaker of the Minnesota House.
• Rep. Zack Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, is the DFL caucus leader for the Minnesota House.
• Sen. Erin Murphy, of St. Paul, is the DFL Senate majority leader.
• Sen. Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, is the Republican Senate minority leader.
• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a politics reporter for MPR News.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

The Legislature will end its session this month.

Lawmakers don’t have a choice; the Minnesota Constitution requires them to wrap it up.

The political parties both hold late-May endorsing conventions. DFLers meet in Rochester while Republicans assemble in Duluth. There are choices in the major races — governor and U.S. Senate — but the gatherings of activists can be unpredictable.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and Capitol correspondent Dana Ferguson map out the session so far and where it could head next.

And several immigrants in Minnesota are asking the state to pardon criminal convictions that could result in their deportation, an MPR News producer explains the situation.

Then two politics reporters come by to discuss what they are seeing and hearing about the top-of-the-ballot races in Minnesota.

Guests:

• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Alanna Elder is a producer for “Minnesota Now” on MPR News.
• J. Patrick Coolican is a editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer.
• Walker Orenstein is a political reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

The Legislature will end its session this month.

Lawmakers don’t have a choice; the Minnesota Constitution requires them to wrap it up.

The political parties both hold late-May endorsing conventions. DFLers meet in Rochester while Republicans assemble in Duluth. There are choices in the major races — governor and U.S. Senate — but the gatherings of activists can be unpredictable.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and Capitol correspondent Dana Ferguson map out the session so far and where it could head next.

And several immigrants in Minnesota are asking the state to pardon criminal convictions that could result in their deportation, an MPR News producer explains the situation.

Then two politics reporters come by to discuss what they are seeing and hearing about the top-of-the-ballot races in Minnesota.

Guests:

• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Alanna Elder is a producer for “Minnesota Now” on MPR News.
• J. Patrick Coolican is a editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer.
• Walker Orenstein is a political reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

There’s an open seat in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans are trying to do something they haven’t since 2006: Win a statewide election.

Both parties are working to figure out their nominees for November.

Veteran sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya is taking the political plunge, and if she succeeds she might be one of the more recognizable U.S. senators.

Can Tafoya overcome what’s shaping up as a tough environment for Republicans? If she does, what would Tafoya do in Washington?

MPR politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Tafoya about what led her to run and what it will take to win in November.

Then, the view from some political strategists on how they see the legislative session wrapping up and the fall campaign shaping up.

Guests:

• Michele Tafoya is a former sport broadcaster and Republican running for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat.
• Abou Amara is a DFL political analyst and Twin Cities attorney.
• Preya Samsundar is a GOP political analyst and a campaign consultant.
• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Torey Van Oot is reporter for Axios Twin Cities covering Minnesota politics.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Minnesota is suing — and has been sued — a lot.

There are cases over health care funding, immigration, clean energy policy, election laws, tariffs, diversity policies and much more.

Playing point for much of it: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. He’s teamed up with Democratic attorneys general in other states for some of the litigation and has gone solo in other cases.

Closer to home, he’s in negotiations with the Legislature over ways to beef up fraud investigations and prosecutions.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Keith Ellison.

Later in broadcast, a breakdown on the debate over data centers. We’ll get a look at the projects across the state to build more of the information warehouses are getting pushback.

Guests:

• Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
• Dan Kraker, correspondent for MPR News based in Duluth
• Kirsti Marohn​, correspondent for MPR News based in Collegeville
• Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
• Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

The pace will crank up at the Minnesota Capitol next week.

With fewer than six weeks before the required legislative adjournment, packages of policy and spending measures will set the tone for the end-of-session negotiations that aren’t all that far off.

What’s still in play and what has taken a back seat? How prickly will those floor debates get?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with two leaders of the Minnesota House of Representatives to talk about session priorities.

Later in the program, we continue our conversations with candidates running for Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd District. Republican Eric Pratt will discuss his bid in that congressional district.

Guests:

• DFL Rep. Jamie Long of Minneapolis.
• Republican Rep. Harry Niska of Ramsey.
• Eric Pratt is a Republican senator for Prior Lake and a candidate for 2nd Congressional District.
• Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
• Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Minnesota’s eight U.S. House seats don’t change hands all that often, but after November’s midterm election one seat certainly will.

The state’s 2nd Congressional District will have a new representative come January 2027. Democratic incumbent, Rep. Angie Craig, is running for the open U.S. Senate and will leave the House after four terms.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with candidates about why they’re the best Democrat to serve the district that runs from the suburbs down into southern Minnesota farm towns.

Local party conventions around Minnesota are shaping top political races.

Delegates are being selected for the state endorsing conventions at the end of May. So candidates are making the rounds — especially for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat and an open governor’s race.

Democrats will be trying to hang onto the seats, while Republicans will be trying to break a statewide election dry spell.

The GOP has a very competitive race for the governor spot on the ballot. House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls are part of a top tier of hopefuls. But MyPillow founder Mike Lindell contends he is too.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Lindell about his governor campaign.

Also, the Senate made a significant rule change this week that could make public service more attractive to candidates with young families. We’ll hear from the lawmakers who pushed for change in the Senate.

Plus, a recap from this week at the Capitol as the Legislature adjourns for a week-long recess.

Guests:

• Mike Lindell is the founder of MyPillow and a Republican candidate running for Minnesota governor.
• Clay Masters is the host All Things Considered for MPR News.
• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Peter Cox is a correspondent for MPR News.