Recent content from Rachel E. Stassen-Berger
Minnesota GOP, still in debt, using credit line for cash crunch
The party owes almost $1.5 million; the chairman says the move is business as usual.
Minnesota Gov. Dayton shuffles two posts at top of his cabinet
Myron Frans and Cynthia Bauerly will have new roles in cabinet as Jim Schowalter exits.
Minnesota voters register their apathy for 2014 midterms
Fewer than 2 million people — 50.51 percent of the voting population — cast ballots in November. That's the lowest turnout the generally high voting state has seen for nearly three decades.
Minnesota House Republicans promise compromise
Republicans, fresh off election victory, promise a more conciliatory approach
Initial tally shows TV, radio political ads cost $40 million in Minnesota
Franken campaign was the state's top spender, new numbers show.
Affordable Care Act architect consulted for Minnesota
Onetime MNsure hire said voter "stupidity" passed health law.
![Speaker Paul Thissen ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Tuesday, November 4, 2014 DFL Victory Party at the Minneapolis, Minnesota Hilton.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LLXKFA2RM7APPWOFIE7OKPEHPA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Let us count the ways House races were interesting
Here's a look at which House member got the most votes and other tidbits of the recent elections.
Rep. Kurt Daudt beats back challengers for House speaker job
Two-term legislator has record of collaboration
![Rudy (cq) and Anna Rodriguez (cq), of Maple Grove, grab some "Ready for Hillary" pins Tuesday night at the election party at DFL Headquarters. ] AARON](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FFVLMSXOUVF222567RS22JGPME.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota House flips to GOP control
GOP ends two years of one-party rule. DFL loses key rural and suburban contests.
Three-way GOP fight to be Minnesota House speaker
House minority leader, who campaigned hard for others, isn't a shoo-in.
Party-hopping voters drove Minnesota's results
Nearly 450,000 voters — about a quarter of the electorate — chose one party's candidate for a state House seat, but then switched to pick a different party's candidate for U.S. Senate or governor.
![Ko Vang of St. Paul filled out his ballot. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Processing absentee ballots at the Ramsey County elections office M](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GWYH7CJIWMCKNKJMBSDFRCNKLI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesotans are voting at rate of 10,000 ballots a day
In record numbers for a midterm election, Minnesotans are using absentee ballot and mail voting to cement their choices well before most polls open.
Cash pouring into Minnesota races as election draw close
Johnson equals Dayton's $2M haul this year; totals mount for House races.
Both parties make last push for control of Minnesota House
The battle for the state's lower chamber has cost more than $13 million and wearied voters.
Wayzata is top source of Dayton, Johnson donations
One ZIP code — 55391 — is the most generous to candidates Dayton and Johnson.
What's with all the political visits to Minnesota? Turnout
In an election that has attracted little national heat, it sure has attracted national political stars.
By the numbers: The $12-million-plus Eighth District race
Outside groups, not candidates, spend most.
Race is on to decide who will handle Minnesota's elections
Partisans view the secretary of state's race as the latest front in the ongoing "voting wars" across the country.
Jeff Johnson: A measured path to governor's office
Republican candidate for governor preaches frugality and caution while calling for a more austere government that hews to free-market values.
Minnesota absentee ballots largely from regular voters, Democratic areas
Analysis also shows more early votes from Democratic areas.
First lady to rally Democrats in Minnesota on Tuesday
Michelle Obama will stump for Gov. Mark Dayton and Sen. Al Franken on Tuesday.
Secretary of state candidate Severson: Minnesota military voters should vote online
But the secretary of state's office says the proposal makes inaccurate claims.
Minnesota absentee voters so far tend to be older and from Democratic areas
So far, only about one-third of absentee ballots have come from areas that lean heavily Republican.
Political outside spending down in Minnesota so far this year
Gubernatorial and House races so far haven't been affected by national financiers like in the past.
Minnesota Democrats have cash advantage
GOP leader acknowledges underfunding, but says it will energize his party.
Dayton leads in governor's race cash; Johnson raised more recently
Dayton has nearly twice as much in the bank, but Johnson is quickening his pace.
![Jeff Johnson greeted supporters at a fundraiser at the Day Block Brewing Co in Minneapolis. July 8, 2014 ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FTJ6YVZ42TYMAP3C77XX7JTTH4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota Poll: Majority has given to political causes
Women and Democrats more likely to give to candidates and campaigns.
Minnesota men, women sharply divided on nearly everything
Although political party affiliation is the single most determinative factor in how Minnesotans answered pollsters' questions, gender is a very close second. The gender chasm is most immediately evident in candidate choices.
DFL plans to spend $1 million-plus on ads in governor's race
DFL State Party Chairman Ken Martin said ads would air starting next week. Republicans might not have the money to match.
![Minority Leader Kurt Daudt talked with House Speaker Paul Thissen before debate on the medical marijuana bill. ] Thursday, May 8, 2014 GLEN STUBBE * g](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MHEBQRJZ3RJZQRHA225HGKQC4E.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota House control will hinge on a few close contests
The race between Democrat Will Morgan of Burnsville and Republican Roz Peterson of Lakeville is one of a cluster of seats that will bear the brunt of an epic multimillion-dollar fight to determine control of the House.
Success around state propelled Jeff Johnson to GOP primary win
The Hennepin County commissioner successfully broadened his campaign for governor well beyond his home district, placing first or second in 63 of 87 counties.
With ads and fair fuss, Minnesota's Senate race heats up
This time, the GOP challenger is turning on the heat as Franken stays cool.
Who will control the Minnesota House of Representatives?
Control of the Minnesota House has changed parties three times in the past five elections and could alter again this year.
Half-million-dollar subsidy headed to DFL's Dayton campaign; GOP's Johnson to get $389K
Gubernatorial hopefuls Dayton, Johnson are among 238 candidates to share more than $2M in public funds.
More absentee balloting coming from DFL areas, analysis shows
Lack of early votes from GOP bastions could presage a low turnout for Tuesday's Minnesota gubernatorial primary.
Minnesota House races cause intraparty spats
One contest in each party has drawn attention from beyond Minnesota.
Eighth District ad not completely 'yanked'
GOP candidate Stewart Mills complains that the ad is misleading.
![Jeff Johnson greeted supporters at a fundraiser at the Day Block Brewing Co in Minneapolis. July 8, 2014 ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com ORG X](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/B3R65YGPOCGLUMDYC3N7REQZOQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Governor: Race means high stakes for Jeff Johnson, GOP
A loss in the August primary could severely diminish the power of the party endorsement. A primary win without convincing moderate voters to leave DFL Gov. Mark Dayton in November could shut out Republicans from the state's top office for years to come.
Honour leads GOP cash race
Hopeful for governor spending his own money has as much cash as three rivals combined.
Minnesota campaign donations shifting to big bucks
The state's suspension of refunds for small-dollar contributions is seen as one of the primary reasons.
Minnesota Capitol overhaul pulls the plug on television coverage
State broadcasting and interactive services are a casualty for now of multimillion dollar overhaul.
Gov. Dayton earned $352,601 last year, gave $10K to charity
Some GOP rivals are expected to release their info soon.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Johnson hospitalized
Governor hopeful had surgery to fix a perforated stomach and is recovering.
8 Minnesota counties will get federal aid after storms
President signed disaster declaration; governor submitting claims on rolling basis.
July1: Vote probe aimed at 419 Cedar Avenue S.
The Hennepin County attorney's office is investigating whether a private mailbox center in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood has been improperly used as an address for more than 140 voters.
Minnesota boosts budget reserves to a high of $811M
Fund is increased automatically when there are surpluses.
$32M in Minnesota public property flood damage — for starters
The damage reimbursed by a presidential declaration more than likely will apply only to public property — roads, bridges, parks and schools — and not homes. So homeowners, check your insurance policies.
Mike McFadden seeking new campaign manager for Senate race
Mastermind in GOP bid for U.S. Senate is adviser.
Rising rivers prolong state of emergency for 30 days
A state of emergency was extended for 35 counties as swollen rivers threaten to cause more flooding – and damage.
No excuse needed to vote absentee in Minnesota
A new law, approved overwhelmingly last year, will allow voters to request absentee ballots regardless of whether they can get to their polling places on Election Day.
Gov. Dayton leads GOP rivals in campaign cash dash
GOP campaigns are amassing millions of dollars to influence the gubernatorial election.
Tea Party in Minnesota: 'A tsunami is coming'
Rep. Cantor's loss buoys factions but means loss of big campaign bucks for Minnesota GOP.
Minnesota Republican convention done, race for cash is heating up
"We are probably going to need to raise a million bucks to win the primary," candidate for governor Jeff Johnson said.
Entenza seeks fellow DFLer's auditor seat
Former gubernatorial candidate's last-minute filing didn't sit well with some in the party.
Mega-donors in Minn.'s gubernatorial race mostly from metro area
Gubernatorial candidates are drawing on the rich near the urban and suburban areas of the Twin Cities for campaign cash.
Minnesota mega-donors pour money into 2014 elections
Courts shredded restrictions on giving, and now big-dollar donors are free to give as much as they want to Minnesota's parties and political action committees ahead of this year's elections.
May 20: Federal court: Minnesota must lift limit on political donations
Supreme Court set the tone for looser rules on big donors.
Here's how the Legislature grappled with issues facing Minn.
For more than 80 days and over many late nights, Minnesota legislators hashed out major issues confronting the state: wages, taxes, bullying, medical marijuana. Here's a quick look at what happened.
![Medical Marijuana bill authors Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Rep. Carly Melin were congratulated after the medical marijuana bill passed the House. ] Fri](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SEF3QNJF5CXLDQHRFG6CZQZUEQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Legislators wrap up session early in a flurry of deal-making
In its closing hours, it voted to legalize medical marijuana and to deliver a second round of tax cuts.
Minnesota Senate bottles up Sunday liquor sales debate
The ban on sales looked solid until an amendment made sponsor pull his bill.
Who's funding your mayor's campaign? Minnesota may make it easier to know
Legislative plan would make state one of the first, if not the first, to place such local financing data online.
Legislators keep online voter registration going
Monday, a judge ordered the system to be shut down. Tuesday, Gov. Dayton signed a revival bill.
Judge kills Minnesota's online voter registration
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie did not have power to create system, so Legislature appears set to authorize it.
Minimum-wage bill heads to Dayton
Passed by the House, the measure to increase the state's pay floor to $9.50 an hour by 2016 will be signed Monday.
Legislative immunity debate gets House vote
The House supports a bill making it clear lawmakers can be arrested on suspicion of DWI during their session.
Minnesota's minimum wage is going to $9.50 an hour by 2016
Minnesota's minimum wage is set to jump from one of the lowest in the nation to one of the highest, promising a better standard of living for more than 350,000 workers but raising bottom-line concerns for some business owners.
Dayton signs anti-bullying bill
The law requires school districts to track and investigate cases of bullying and to better train staffers and teachers on how to prevent it.
Minnesota's limits on campaign donations to be challenged
Lawsuit contends "first come, first served" law violates free speech.
Minnesota legislators cut deal to boost minimum wage to $9.50
Details of the agreement are expected to be released by House and Senate leaders Monday morning, but two sources with the knowledge of the deal said Sunday that the minimum wage would rise to $9.50 an hour and future increases would be linked to increases in inflation.
Minn. mega-donors expect more calls after court alters campaign laws
An individual can now give millions to candidates for federal office.
GOP hopefuls stake out claims to challenge Franken
Few differences distinguished the seven candidates represented in the St. Louis Park forum.
Minnesota budget plans firmed up in the House and Senate
The House will likely pass a budget measure on Thursday; the Senate will follow with its own soon afterward.
