Political Party

Two more Republicans eye governor's race

The GOP candidate pool for governor just keeps getting more and more crowded. The Associated Press is reporting today two Republican state senators are also considering a run. They include Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie and Sen. Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel.

They join a large pool of conservative leaders that have already committed or are thinking about running for the state's top post. Some of those on the list include House Minority Leader Marty Seifert — who is planning a campaign stop in Rochester next week — and former House Speaker Steve Sviggum. Former Congressman Jim Ramstad has said he is thinking about getting in. Others include Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria, former state auditor Pat Anderson and state Rep. Paul Koering of Fort Ripley.

Meanwhile, current Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty is in Colorado today for the Aspen Ideas Festival. Pawlenty will be a panelist on Friday with the title "How to Get Great Teachers Into Every Classroom.

The event is drawing some big names includes former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker III, columnist David Brooks, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, author Thomas Friend man and CBS "Face the Nation" moderator Bob Schieffer.

Coleman concedes race to Franken

Republican Norm Coleman this afternoon conceded the U.S. Senate race to Democrat Al Franken. There had been much speculation that he would appeal the state's Supreme Court decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. But Coleman has decided not to appeal the ruling.

At a press conference outside his St. Paul home, Coleman said, "The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results."

Court rules for Franken, locals react

The Minnesota Supreme Court this afternoon released a unanimous ruling in favor of Democrat Al Franken. The court determined that Franken should be certified the winner of the Senate race. What remains to be seen is whether Republican Norm Coleman will appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Local Democrats welcomed the court's decisions.

"The people of Minnesota spoke last November and finally seven months later they are being heard. It is time for Sen. Franken to do the work that the people of Minnesota elected him to do," said Olmsted County DFL Chair Lynn Wilson.

Meanwhile, Republicans voiced disappointment at the court's decision. Linda Kopecky, co-chair of the Republican Party of Olmsted County said the court failed to address voting inconsistencies brought to light during the election. She said she believes Coleman should appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"I think he should because of the fundamental principles that were neglected — the fairness, the honesty, the deception that is out there that happened in this election. For all those reasons, I believe that this was an unfair election," Kopecky said.

Here is a link to the court's ruling.

Lawmakers set to grill finance commish

DFL lawmakers are expected to be asking some tough questions of Minnesota Management and Budget Office Commissioner Tom Hanson at a legislative hearing this morning.

The Legislative Advisory Commission is expected to convene at 10 a.m. at the state Capitol to discuss Gov. Tim Pawlenty's $2.7 billion in proposed cuts to balance the state budget using his executive authority of unallotment. To watch the hearing live, go to The Uptake.

Pawlenty recently tweaked his unallotment plan, limiting cuts for chemical dependence programs and increasing the level of cuts to mental health grants and community block grants. But overall the plan is pretty much the same. It involves cuts to health and human services, local government aid and higher education.

Republicans gather in Rochester

Don't be surprised if you see former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman or former Gov. Al Quie in downtown Rochester today. They are expected to be among the Republicans gathering to honor former Rochester Sen. Nancy Brataas at a fundraising event.

 Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem of Rochester helped organize the  $100-a-plate event that will benefit the Senate Victory Fund. Money raised for the fund is used to support Republican candidates running for the state Legislature.

Also expected to turn out is former Senate Majority Leader Duane Benson and former Supreme Court Justice A.M. "Sandy" Keith. Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce President John Wade will serve as emcee.

Roch mayor to lead League of Minnesota Cities

The League of Minnesota Cities announced today that Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede was elected to serve as president of the organization from 2009 to 2010.

Brede was elected at the league's annual conference in St. Paul. Brede  has served as first vice president of the league and chaired the organization's environment committee. He has also served on the energy and environment committees for the National League of Cities and on various issue committees for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Brede, a former Mayo Clinic employee, has been Rochester's mayor since 2003.

Taxpayers League scorecard not kind to Roch Democrats

The Taxpayers League of Minnesota has released its annual legislative scorecard. The scores are based on whether or not lawmakers voted for legislation deemed by the organization to be unfriendly to the taxpayer. In many cases, that involves whether or not a lawmaker supported bills with tax increases.

The report card did not have a favorable view of most DFLers — especially in Rochester. On a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 considered a perfect score, no Rochester Democrats received a rating above 13. In southeast Minnesota, the lawmaker with the lowest score was Sen Steve Murphy of Red Wing who netted a 0. 

Rep. Gene Pelowski of Winona was the highest ranking Democrat with a score of 47. That is in large part due to his voting against the DFL tax increase proposals. 

The report heralds Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former House Minority Leader and potential gubernatorial candidate Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, as the "2009 Heroes of the Taxpayers" for standing up against tax increases.

Here is a look at ratings for Southeast Minnesota lawmakers. To look at the Taxpayers League's full list, go here.

Senate

Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona — 21

Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester — 7

Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing — 0

David Senjem, R-Rochester — 57

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin — 14

House

Robin Brown, DFL-rural Austin — 7

Greg Davids, R-Preston — 80

Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield — 80

Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha — 87

Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing — 87

Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester — 13

Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester — 13

Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona — 47

Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin — 27

Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview — 13

Demmer loses leadership bid

Looks like the Rochester area will not have two minority leaders in the Legislature after all.

Hayfield Rep. Randy Demmer was battling it out Tuesday night to be elected minority leader by his fellow House GOP members. But he got beaten out by Rep. Kurt Zellers of Maple Grove. Zellers is serving his fourth term in the House. He takes over for outgoing Minority Leader Marty Seifert of Marshall who stepped down to focus on running for governor in 2010.

Demmer in running as House GOP picks leader

Hayfield Rep. Randy Demmer is still in the running for the top spot for the House GOP.

The 47 members of the minority caucus will gather tonight at 6:30 p.m. to pick a new minority leader to replace Rep. Marty Seifert, of Marshall. Seifert announced earlier this month he was stepping down to run for governor in 2010.

Rep. Tom Emmer of Delano narrowly lost the minority leader post to Seifert. But Emmer said he has decided not to run for the leadership post, instead considering a run for governor. Several other House Republicans are eyeing a bid for the governor's mansion.

Rep. Kurt Zellers, of Maple Grove, is said to be competing for the leadership post. The St. Cloud Times reports that Sauk Rapids Rep. Dan Severson is also considering a run for minority leader.

If Demmer is elected, it would mean both legislative minority leaders represent a portion of Rochester. Rochester Sen. Dave Senjem currently serves as Senate minority leader.

I'll update this blog when I find out who the winner is.

Tschumper is eyeing another House run

This is an update to my previous post this morning about the District 31B House race. Just got a call back from former DFL Rep. Ken Tschumper who said he is considering another run the seat after losing last year to Republican Rep. Greg Davids. The La Crescent farmer said he plans to announce his intentions in August, so stay tuned.