Political Filings, My Piece of the Pie

2:43 pm Rep Ilhan Omar (DFL-60B, Minneapolis) now has filed for the 5th CD, Mohamud Noor, one of Omar’s other Primary opponents in 2016 has filed for 60B, we spoke with former Rep Phyllis Kahn (DFL-60B, Minneapolis) and she will not be filing for her old seat....

A Tale of Two Erins

We hear DFL Endorsed candidate has doubled down on the name Erin and tapped fellow freshman Rep Erin Maye Quade (DFL-57A, Apple Valley). Maye Quade is an articulate, sharp debater and instrumental in bringing sexual harassment in the legislature to the foreground. She...

On-hand at the DFL Convention

Sunday 2:56 pm Julie Blaha was endorsed. 2:25 pm The State Auditor’s endorsement is underway. 1st Ballot Julie Blaha 617 votes or 55.7% Jon Tollefson 487 votes or 43.9% No Endorsement 4.5 votes or 0.4% Total votes cast 1109 Saturday 5:47 pm Walz withdraws Murphy...

We Will Be Live from the DFL State Convention

If you are interested in the blow-by-blow coverage, traditional Checks & Balances here at follow our time stamped format and hit refresh frequently, to gather the most recent information. At the DFL State Convention in Rochester will be a three-day event...

Exclusive Preconvention Interview with Richard Painter

We had the opportunity to interview US Candidate Richard Painter (Converted D-Mendota Heights) and we are currently transcribing the information. Below you can read his responses to our first fourteen questions and we will post the rest of the answers as they come...

Hackbarth Files to Regain His Seat

Former Rep Tom Hackbarth (R-31B, Cedar) has filed to challenge Rep Calvin Bahr (R-31B, East Bethel) to recapture his old seat. Bahr, a Tea Party candidate, defeated Hackbarth by 308 votes with a margin of 56.96% to 43.04%. The question is where will Bahr and...

NPR Censors Opposition Comments on RCV

The NPR show 1A ran a program on Ranked Choice Voting today, and Checks & Balances Publisher Shawn Towle sought a spot on the panel. When called back by producer Andi McDaniel he was informed the panel was full but could submit a comment through the voicemail...

Former Governor Carlson Weighs in Against US Senator Smith

Former Governor Arne Carlson (when in office R-MN, now Independent) and former Rep Janet Clark now Entzel (DFL-Minneapolis) both signed a post on Carlson’s blog today. Calling in An Open Letter to Democrats for US Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) to debate the...

Fishbach Finally Takes the Oath

Last week, Sen Michele Fischbach (R-13, Paynesville) finally agreed to take the oath of office as Lt Governor. Afterward, she announced she would not be a candidate for reelection to her Senate seat. This quickly led to speculation she would be running for Lt Governor...