Aug 13, 2014
The participation rate in the Republican Primary was quite pathetic in general and even worse when compared to the DFL. In spite of not having a serious Primary Challenger Governor Mark Dayton (DFL-MN) and Lt Governor Candidate Tina Smith (DFL-MN) scored 177,648 and...
Aug 12, 2014
In general, this Primary election is a snoozer. We expect the overall turnout not to exceed 200,000 in all of the primary contests combined. In 2010, the total turnout was 292,834. It is interesting to note that with the new rules for non-excuse absentee voting may...
Jun 5, 2014
Checks & Balances is now working in partnership with a new political directory called PoliDex™. Each time a name of a political person is used in the text of our stories, or the name of a committee or political party is written it will be linked back to a...
Jun 5, 2014
The 2014 campaign officially started yesterday at 4:31 PM, this is when every candidate needed to put their money where their mouth is (pay their filing fee) and officially commence the 2014 campaign season. There were a few surprises, but largely everyone thought to...
Jun 5, 2014
The decision by former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza(DFL) to contend against State Auditor Rebecca Otto (DFL-MN) may have more to do with 2018 than it does 2014. The reason being that Otto, if reelected in Novemberwould be in her third term and a viable candidate...
Jun 5, 2014
The activity at the DFL State Convention was largely about internal structure, policy and procedures. The attempt to remove state legislators from the endorsement calculus mainly orchestrated by DFL Party Chair Ken Martin failed miserably. In fact, his attempt to...
May 29, 2014
This weekend is both the DFL and Republican Party Conventions. DFLers are meeting in Duluth and Republicans in Rochester. At the DFL, the Constitution & Bylaws Commission is attempting to rework their endorsement system and remove state legislators, especially...
May 29, 2014
The 2014 Bonding Bill received its support this legislative session because the House Republican Caucus is largely beholden to a new influencer, which is Brad Rixmann. Rixmann is someone we see on TV often promoting his company Pawn America. He also has become a...
May 29, 2014
The major point to in form supporters of medicinal cannabis or medical marijuana the fight is not over. It needs to continue during the 2014 elections and Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) and House DFLers need to hear at every stop along the campaign trail,the need for...
May 29, 2014
In case you missed it, this last legislative session Checks & Balances and Senate Minority Leader Sen. David Hann (R-48, Eden Prairie) were having a small conflict. The conflict centered around why is called Minority Leader and not Majority Leader, and the reason...
