JoAnn Ward decided to run when Rep. Nora Slawik, DFL-Maplewood, decided to retire. Redistricting pushed the new House District 53A farther to the east and across I-494 into Washington County. Even though partisan voter indices still pegged the new district as DFL-leaning, the race caught the attention of Republicans.
by Paul Demko
Published: November 7, 2012
Tags: Erin Murphy, Joann Ward, Joe Radinovich, Laurie Halverson, Mark Dayton, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Paul Marquart, Paul Thissen, Tom Bakk, Yvonne Selcer
Just hours after winning control of the House and Senate, DFL legislative leaders gathered with Gov. Mark Dayton at the Capitol. For the first time in two decades, Democrats control all three levers of power in St. Paul.
by Paul Demko
Published: August 3, 2012
Tags: Al Doty, Andrea Kieffer, Ann Marie Metzger, Barbara Yarusso, Bev Scalze, Bill Glahn, Bob Barrett, Bruce Patterson, Carolyn McElfatrick, dan fabian, Diane Anderson, Doug Wardlow, Geoff Michel, Jason Isaacson, Jim Carlson, Jim Kelly, Joann Ward, John Carlson, John Persell, Keith Downey, Keith Langseth, Ken Rubenzer, Kent Eken, King Banaian, Larry Howes, Larry Rice, Laurie Halverson, Lyle Koenen, Pam Cunningham, Paul Gazelka, Paul Rosenthal, Rick Olseen, Ron Erhardt, Russell Bertsch, Sandra Masin, Steve Simon, Susan Kent, Ted Daley, Ted Lillie, Theresa Jacobson, Tom Anzelc, Tom Saxhaug, Zachary Dorholt
The Senate District 49 race has resulted in the largest haul so far with more than $100,000 in political contributions. Campaign finance reports have revealed this and a lot more, including some notable financial mismatches as well as challengers bringing in more than incumbents.
by Charley Shaw
Published: June 29, 2012
Tags: Alliance for a Better Minnesota, Andrew Reinhardt, Barb Yarusso, Ben Wiener, Bernie Lieder, Bill Hilty, Bruce Vogel, Craig Brenden, Dan Kaiser, Dan Schoen, Deb Kiel, Derrick Lehrke, Diane Anderson, Doug Wardlow, Ian Marsh, Jassica Rohloff, Jerry Newton, Joann Ward, Kate Knuth, King Banaian, Kory Kath, Laurie Halvorson, Marc DeMers, Mary Sawatzky, Melissa Hortman, Mitch Pangerl, Nora Slawik, Pam Cunningham, Rich Murray, Robin Brown, Roger Crawford, Russ Bertsch, Sandy Masin, Shannon Savick, Tim Faust, Tony Petrangelo, Zach Dorholt, Zach Rodvold
The last two election cycles have witnessed wave elections for both parties that tilted the Minnesota House of Representatives in polar opposite directions.
by Paul Demko
Published: June 20, 2012
Tags: Bill Weber, Bob Hill, Bobby Joe Champion, Branden Petersen, Brian Johnson, Brian Wermerskirchen, Bruce Anderson, Common Cause, Connie Bernardy, Dan Schoen, Dave Meyer, Dave Osmek, David Collins, David FitzSimmons, Eric Pratt, Foung Hawj, Gregg Peppin, ian alexander, Jacob Isaacson, Jason Metsa, Jeff Howe, Jerry Hertaus, Jerry Newton, Jim Newberger, Joann Ward, Kory Kath, Lorrie Janatopoulos, Marion O'Neill, Mark Anderson, Mary Kiffmeyer, Melizza Halvorson Wiklund, Nicholas Zerwas, pat hall, Peter Fischer, Raymond Dehn, redistricting, Reid Johnson, Robert Humphrey, Ron Kresha, Stephen Frank, Steve Greene, Terra Cole, Tom Dimond, Tom Emmer, Tony Albright
n the four months since legislative maps were released, political strategists and journalists have been scrutinizing the new House and Senate districts to determine which ones favor Republicans or Democrats and where the key battlegrounds will be in 2012.
