Fiery letters to the editor. Stolen lawn signs. Backdoor donations and party-affiliated door-knocking.
The polarizing tone of the 2016 presidential election has seeped into local government races, which are legally nonpartisan.
According to candidates and observers, voters have probed the party affiliation of down-ballot candidates even though their issues — such as fracking, housing or property taxes — are generally considered as free of partisanship. The targeted City Council or County Board candidates must then decide whether to join or avoid the political fray.
Ann Lindstrom, intergovernmental relations representative at the League of Minnesota Cities, said such partisan seepage into local races isn't that unusual in a presidential election year.
"We're seeing [partisanship] trickle down a little bit more into the local races," she said. "With a presidential race going on, that makes everybody pay more attention to politics than the midterm election."
In the Twin Cities' seven-county metro area, questions about party affiliation have popped up during door-knocking, or when local candidates caucus for national candidates. Or they've arisen when parties contribute money or supply campaign volunteers, or when they endorse or support a local candidate.
In some cases, the high-profile presidential race has been a way to draw voter attention to smaller races.
In Prior Lake, Mayor Ken Hedberg is seeking re-election against challenger Kirt Briggs, and four City Council candidates are running for two open seats.