Jason Garcia, aka Hot Dog Larry Jacobs, joins us to do podcast punditry while attempting to eat 12 hot dogs for charity. Josh Martin makes sure the score-keeping stays honest. In this groundbreaking 90 minute episode, we talk about the race for Minnesota House of Representatives in 61A. Frank Hornstein is retiring, creating a vacancy for the first time in decades. We're trying to answer the question: Why do even people who agree with Will Stancil think he's incredibly irritating? John gives his strongest possible endorsement of Katie Jones. Jason tries to choke out an endorsement of Isabel Rolfes while eating yet another hot dog.

We're also talking about Don Samuels underwhelming, backward looking, unfocused campaign against Rep. Ilhan Omar; we review crime stats and react to the Minneapolis Police Department's plan to expand their gunshot detection microphones, known as ShotSpotter, into the Wedge and Whittier neighborhoods; Josh has an update about an effort to move St. Paul's elections for mayor and city council from odd years to presidential years; and so much more.

Don't forget to vote in the primary by August 13, especially if you live in 61A. Early voting and polling place information here: https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/vote-early-in-person/

Read John's endorsement of Katie Jones for Minnesota House in 61A: https://wedgelive.com/endorsement-katie-jones-for-mn-house-district-61a/

If you'd like to honor Jason's hot dog heroism, consider a donation to the Indigenous Food Lab's program providing meals to the community: https://iflmarket.square.site/product/donate-to-help-fund-our-community-meal-program-/446

Thank you to our sponsor North Star Art Club. They offer art clubs, art camps, birthday parties, adult classes and more. North Star Art Club is the exclusive sponsor of the Wedge LIVE Hot Dog Counter which appears in the YouTube version of this episode. Website: https://northstarartclub.com/

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Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee