General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDespite the money spent, Minnesota held on
to two congressional seats that were heavily targeted by the GOP money machine. Rick Nolan in CD8 was re-elected over challenger Stewart Mills by a scant 2% margin. It was close, but much money was spent to flip that district. Also, in CD7, Collin Peterson won re-election over Republican Torrey Westrom with 54% of the vote.
Of course, Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton both won their races, with substantial margins. Again, GOP money was spent on those two races, but not with the dedication seen in the Congressional races.
On the downside, the Minnesota's House ended up with a small Republican majority, which may make some legislation more difficult to pass in the next two years. Michele Bachmann's old district, CD6, too, was won by a Republican, Tom Emmer, who faced a less than stellar Democratic opponent who had little money to spend.
In my own area, CD4 was won by Betty McCollum and our neighbor to the West, re-elected Keith Ellison. Both won their races with large margins, as expected. We also elected a full slate of Democrats in my districts to the state legislature, and elected every DFL-endorsed candidate to the other state offices.
That's what happened in Minnesota.
geardaddy
(24,931 posts)At least we kept the senate and the gov's mansion.
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)I think it can be overcome for the next two years. Most of the flips were in rural districts. Our district (67a) re-elected our state rep with a 60% margin.
geardaddy
(24,931 posts)My rep is the current Speaker. I'm glad he was re-elected, but disappointed that he won't be Speaker this time around.
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)DFL Democrats turn out in much larger numbers during presidential elections.
Cairycat
(1,706 posts)They knew he would be a great senator, which he has been. Very glad he was retained. Congratulations to my neighbors to the north.
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)Minnesota in the Senate. Gosh-darn it, people like him.
sarisataka
(18,770 posts)You are more optimistic than I. fear Repubs will be emboldened by their victory and use the state house to try and disrupt everything. Hopefully than can be contained.
On one hand we don't have Bachmann embarrassing us anymore, but I view Emmer as a far more insidious threat. When he was at state level we saw he was willing to put politics ahead of any concern for his constituents or the state in general.
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)I'll just be glad to have him out of the state. I believe we can contain the state house, though.