Barden receives GOP nod for attorney general

Chris Barden was 15 years old the last time a Republican held the office of Minnesota attorney general. Forty years later, he's hoping to end that streak. "Our state government should reflect the goodness of the people of this great state," said Barden, of Edina. Barden received the Republican endorsement Thursday at the state convention in Minneapolis. He is challenging Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson. Swanson angered Republicans recently when she refused to file a lawsuit challenging the federal health care overhaul. "When your lawyer fails to defend you, you fire her and get a better lawyer," he said.