Recent content from Jessie Van Berkel
'Time to get a better product': State GOP digs deep after losses
The party points to Roe decision and a lack of organizing power in explaining defeats in the state as they look to 2024. For even the most seasoned party veterans, the path forward is murkier than ever.
One of Minnesota's marijuana parties loses major party status
The Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party failed to meet the required vote threshold, but some in the party are pleased.
DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison heads into second term looking to 'better things'
Ellison won re-election as the state's chief legal officer by a margin of less than 1%.
Attorney General Keith Ellison wins second term as GOP opponent concedes
GOP challenger Jim Schultz said he was calling Ellison to congratulate him on winning the race.
5 takeaways from Minnesota's midterm election
Here are some key outcomes from Election Day in Minnesota and nationwide.
Minnesota candidates draw national support as election nears
Democrats and Republicans held dueling Capitol rallies, as state reports more than 450K Minnesotans have already voted.
DFL Gov. Walz spends big in final election push
GOP candidate for governor Scott Jensen's campaign says he is fundraising at a "breakneck pace."
Cash streams into Minnesota races during final election push
Tens of millions in outside spending fuel battles for statewide offices and legislative control.
Longshot candidates could influence Minnesota elections
From governor to state auditor to Congress, candidates for third parties are offering their visions for Minnesota.
Voters of color critical to Minn. candidates' election hopes
Both political parties are courting communities of color as the state grows more diverse, but some say efforts are falling short.
For voice actors, campaign season is gig season in Minnesota
Demand for political voiceover work has ballooned, and party allegiance, geography and ethnicity can factor into who is hired.
Trump endorses Scott Jensen, Kim Crockett in Minnesota races
The former president's endorsements come two weeks before Election Day.
GOP's Jensen proposed ending Minnesota income tax: But how to pay for it?
The tax generates more than half the state's general fund.
Walz, Jensen clash in only TV debate in Minn. governor's race
With three weeks until Election Day, the two offered sharply contrasting views on what they would do with the next four years in the state's top job.
Craig, Kistner battle over economy, abortion in top-dollar House race
Tens of millions have poured into a rematch that could help determine which party controls the U.S. House.
Minnesota makes pitch for World's Fair estimated to generate roughly $2.5B
Bloomington is vying to host the 2027 event that is expected to attract 14 million visitors.
Democrat Keith Ellison paints 'stark' contrast in attorney general's race
GOP challenger Jim Schultz said Ellison has not done enough to support police and combat rising crime.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar to seek re-election in 2024
Klobuchar's spokeswoman said she supports President Biden's plan to run for a second term.
Second Congressional District candidate Paula Overby dies
She is the second Legal Marijuana Now candidate running for the seat to die shortly before an election in recent years.
Pandemic front-line workers will each get $487 from state
More than 1 million people will receive payments, which start going out Wednesday.
Scott Jensen runs on 'core convictions' in bid for Minnesota governor
The pandemic spurred the Chaska physician to run. Now he hopes a divided state will elect a Republican governor for the first time in more than a decade.
Minnesota DFL slams GOP attorney general candidate over questionnaire he calls 'categorically false'
The Minnesota Family Council says it "inferred" that Jim Schultz wants to ban abortion after six weeks.
Mercado Central demands Jensen campaign stop using its image in ads
Jensen and others in the GOP are aiming to bolster support among Latino voters.
Jensen's fundraising jumps, but Walz still has far more cash
About six weeks until Election Day, most Democrats for statewide offices have more cash saved.
Jensen's fundraising jumps, but Walz still has far more
With six weeks until Election Day, most Democrats for statewide offices have more cash saved.
Minnesota Poll: Ellison, Schultz in close race for attorney general
Secretary of State Steve Simon leads GOP challenger Kim Crockett, with voters confident in midterm election accuracy.
Minnesota legislative candidates traverse some sprawling new districts
Reshaped House and Senate boundaries left some candidates courting disparate communities.
Local groups press leaders for Minnesota Legislature special session
Much of state legislators' work was left unfinished in May.
Minnesotans who get student loan relief could face tax bill
Some DFL legislators are pressing for a quick Capitol deal to avoid higher taxes for borrowers.
People don't come to State Fair for politics. But politics comes for them.
With about two months until Election Day, candidates are competing with Pronto Pups and giant pigs for fairgoers' attention.
GOP governor candidate Scott Jensen calls for vouchers, parental oversight of schools
Jensen unveiled a 10-point education plan Tuesday at the Minnesota State Fair.
Campaign check: Did Gov. Tim Walz cancel candidate debates?
Walz's campaign said he has been invited to 19 debates and can't fit them all in; Jensen says the governor is "hiding."
Four takeaways from Minnesota primary election turnout
Turnout was down statewide compared to 2018, but not everywhere or for both parties.
Minnesota board makes primary, special election results official
The five-member board unanimously signed off on the Aug. 9 results with little fanfare.
How is your vote counted?
Whether you vote in person or by mail, there are numerous checks to ensure an accurate count.
Minnesota's newly elected GOP U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad sworn in
He called Jim Hagedorn, whose seat he is filling, a "true fighter."
Minnesota legislative battles shape up after Tuesday's primary
Further-right candidates won in handful of GOP primaries.
5th District DFL primary shows division over Rep. Omar's tenure
The two-term congresswoman won a narrow victory Tuesday over former Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels. Precinct mapping shows where Omar did well in the 2020 DFL primary vs. Tuesday's closer race
Longtime U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum beats challenger Amane Badhasso in Fourth District DFL primary
McCollum has decades of congressional experience; Badhasso had said it's time for new leadership.
Jim Schultz wins GOP attorney general primary over Doug Wardlow
Schultz will now compete against DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison in November.
Minnesota voters decide who will advance in today's primary
Top races on the ballot include congressional seats, statewide offices and legislative primaries. There's also a special election in the First Congressional District in southern Minnesota.
Minnesota voters go to polls today to decide primary battles
There are intraparty faceoffs for Congress, attorney general and more.
Early voting for Minnesota primary election plummets from pandemic spike
The record early voter numbers seen at start of the pandemic two years ago have not continued in 2022.
Schultz, Wardlow see high stakes for Republicans in AG race
For political newcomer Jim Schultz, tackling rising crime is priority number one. His opponent, Doug Wardlow, has staked out positions to the right of Schultz, including claiming he will "wage war" on the Minnesota Supreme Court ruling allowing abortions.
'Feels like it's a whack-a-mole': Minnesota election officials on misinformation front lines
Activists have zeroed in on local officials as they call for hand counts and eliminating drop boxes.
Minnesotan Ellen Goldberg Luger appointed to USDA foreign service
The Minnesotan said she will be focused on global food security.
Minnesota will start winnowing pile of pandemic 'hero pay' applications
More than 1 million Minnesotans sought a state payment for frontline pandemic work.
Roe's fall raises stakes in race for Minnesota attorney general
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the two top GOP candidates vying to replace him this fall are weighing the office's legal options post-Roe, from responding to potential abortion-related extradition orders to intervening in civil cases.
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig files complaint against GOP challenger Tyler Kistner over late disclosure filing
Kistner's campaign said it was an administrative oversight.
Legislative candidate Bob Loonan faces hearing over complaint about campaign literature
The state House candidate says the flier in question was from 2016.
Walz, Craig highlight public safety efforts; GOP condemns rising crime
The Democratic leaders emphasized public safety spending Friday, but said more is needed.
Inflation and abortion rights are top of mind as midterms near
The fight for the Second Congressional District in the Twin Cities suburbs — Minnesota's last pure battleground — offers a microcosm of the congressional races playing out across the country.
![Phyllis Cross sat along the edge of Buffalo Lake, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Buffalo, Minn. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com](https://chorus.stimg.co/23650535/126c_x177_12d0_9.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Are the Jan. 6 hearings changing minds in Minnesota?
While some are tuning into every hearing, others said they aren't paying attention.
Minnesotans weigh in on Jan. 6 hearings
Readers offered their take on the congressional hearings in Washington.
Against soundtrack of Dylan and Lizzo, Minnesota makes pitch to host 2027 World's Fair
The state presented a health-focused vision for the event as it competes with four other global destinations.
Tell us what you think about the Jan. 6 hearings
The House committee investigating the root causes of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection is holding a series of televised hearings that outline what led to…
14 of Minnesota's 20 top-paid state workers are psychiatrists
Mental health experts have long ranked among those making the most in the state's massive workforce.
Ethics Committee hears complaints against DFL Sen. Omar Fateh
An attorney for the Minneapolis legislator said allegations against him are "based in rumor."
Minnesota to spend $93M on mental health
Demand for services has climbed, prompting state leaders to strike a last-minute deal.
Minnesota's renter protections end as evictions have spiked
Eviction filings in Minnesota have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
What did — and didn't — get done at the Minnesota Capitol this legislative session
Legislators left plenty of work on the table as they negotiate a possible special session.
State Capitol stalemate could risk federal infrastructure dollars
Local governments and MnDOT call for fast action, but a GOP legislator said it's not the emergency they are claiming.
Minnesota legislators dedicate $159M to outdoor areas
Some lawmakers pressed for additional Legacy spending this session.
Minnesota leaders' response to Texas school shooting shows political divide over guns
It's unlikely that grief will translate into policy changes.
Billions in limbo as retiring legislators say farewell
Gov. Tim Walz ended a meeting with top legislative leaders on Monday with no timeline or clarity on next steps. Walz said he's ready to call legislators back, but Republicans in the Senate asked for a few days to "decompress."
Legislators leave work undone; short special session possible
Gov. Tim Walz planned to meet with House and Senate leaders early Monday morning to hash out the details of a short special session to wrap up agreed-upon bills, which could happen as early as this week.
Minn. Republicans call for unity after bruising convention fight
Party leaders stressed the GOP must overcome differences to end a losing streak in statewide races. Attorney general hopeful Doug Wardlow decided to press on to the primary.
Republicans back Scott Jensen in Minnesota governor's race
The doctor and former state senator narrowly beat Kendall Qualls after a heated fight in Rochester for the GOP endorsement.
Minnesota Republicans back newcomer as AG hopeful
Candidates for the two key statewide offices focused on election security and crime as the GOP state convention kicked off Friday. Saturday will bring the biggest task: choosing a candidate for governor from a crowded field.
Minnesota Republicans endorse Kim Crockett for secretary of state
GOP delegates also endorsed Ryan Wilson for state auditor.
GOP candidate for governor Mike Murphy picks running mate
Lacy Johnson, who challenged U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar in 2020, is running with Murphy.
How do Minnesota's political endorsement conventions work?
What to know about the upcoming Republican and DFL state conventions.
2022 legislative session: What's at stake, issue by issue
We track the status of top issues ahead of the Legislature's May 23 adjournment.
U.S. interior secretary touts urban park funding in St. Paul visit
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber and mining advocates called on Secretary Deb Haaland to visit northern Minnesota.
