Politics Friday

Former GOP state senator Scott Jensen is his party’s nominee for Governor. He’ll try to unseat incumbent DFL Gov. Tim Walz in November.

Governor Tim Walz is seeking re-election after a term dominated by his response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fallout from the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

While politics may not be on the top of many people’s minds as summer vacation season sets in, political watchers are tuned into campaign finance reports, polling data and the mood of voters. 

This week saw the release of reports showing Democrat Tim Walz has a big campaign cash advantage over his Republican rival Scott Jensen. But there was also news of an 8.5 percent jump in inflation in May as gas prices hovered near $5 per gallon. 

There are conflicting signs in the political tea leaves, and Republicans and Democrats are reading them differently.

This week on Politics Friday, host Mike Mulcahy talks with two veteran political analysts —Democrat Abou Amara and Republican Brian McDaniel — for their takes on the news and what it all means for the August primary and the November election.

A key statewide office on the ballot this fall is Attorney General, a job Minnesota Democrats have held since the early 1970s. Republicans believe they have a real chance to flip the office, but who will be their candidate? 

Last month at their state convention, the GOP endorsed political newcomer Jim Schultz. But before he can focus his campaign on unseating DFL incumbent Keith Ellison, he must deal with a primary challenge from the party’s 2018 candidate Doug Wardlow. 

This week, Politics Friday host Mike Mulcahy is joined by Minnesota GOP attorney general hopefuls Jim Schultz and Doug Wardlow. We’ll hear why each candidate thinks they are best for the job, how they plan to reverse the statewide losing streak for Republicans and why they believe they are most qualified to take on Ellison. We’ll learn why primary challenger Doug Wardlow is staying in the race despite his pledge to abide by the party’s endorsement. 

Mike talked with DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is running for re-election, back in March.

Plus, industry experts expect gas prices to stay high for a while. University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management professor Akshay Rao joins the show to discuss why prices went up, if they will continue to rise and how politics intersect with gas prices. 

Guests:

This week, Politics Friday host Mike Mulcahy led a roundtable discussion with folks who keep a close eye on state politics: MPR News politics reporter Brian Bakst, Star Tribune politics and government reporter Briana Bierschbach, and Dave Orrick from the Pioneer Press' Capitol Bureau. They talked about the latest politics news at the Capitol and in the upcoming elections and shared analysis.

The special primary election in Minnesota’s first Congressional District this week narrowed the field of candidates for an August special election.

Republican Brad Finstad came out on top in his party and Jeff Ettinger won the DFL primary.

Now they’ll compete in a special election in August to determine who fills the remaining months of former Rep. Jim Hagedorn’s term. Hagedorn died in February after battling cancer. 

And the Legislature ended its session after lawmakers missed a deadline to pass major tax and spending bills. Some Republicans say the work can wait until after the November election, while Democrats want a special session. 

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks to Brad Finstad and Jeff Ettinger about how they won their parties' nominations and how the next round of the campaign is shaping up. Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen also will join Mike to talk about what he thinks should happen to Minnesota’s budget surplus and DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman will weigh in on a special session.

Guests:

A week after Minnesota Republicans held their state convention in Rochester, Democrats will be there for their convention. 

Unlike the Republicans, DFLers know who they will endorse. The party holds every statewide office in Minnesota, and the convention will endorse all of their reelection campaigns. 

But with inflation and gas prices up and President Joe Biden’s approval down, can Democrats hold on to those seats? And how do they intend to do it? 

Politics Friday host Mike Mulcahy talks with Minnesota DFL Party chairperson Ken Martin about the party’s prospects and strategy. Plus state Sen. Matt Klein joins to respond to the Republicans’ endorsement of Scott Jensen for governor.

We’ll hear the latest from Rochester and get an update on where things stand at the Capitol headed into the final weekend of the legislative session.   

Guests:

More than 2,200 Minnesota Republicans gathered in Rochester starting Friday to endorse candidates for all the statewide offices on the ballot this fall. Candidates for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and more hope this weekend will propel their campaigns for the 2022 general election. Republicans are fired up and think this year they have their first real chance since 2006 of winning statewide. Host Mike Mulcahy talked with delegates, party leaders and observers about Minnesota Republicans’ chances in 2022.

The leak of a draft Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade has sparked questions about access to abortion, other rights at risk and how this issue will define the midterm elections. We’ll get reaction from DFL Sen. Tina Smith and state Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake. Plus, historian Jon Meacham remembers Walter Mondale.

Laws about voting have always been the subject of debate, but in recent years voting--and election integrity---has become a controversial political issue.

Politics Friday with Mike Mulcahy talks with Secretary of State Steve Simon about this year’s election, the election system and what if any changes the Legislature might make to elections and voting.  

Plus, MPR politics reporter Tim Pugmire and Dana Ferguson, capitol correspondent from the Forum News Service for an end-of-week politics round up.

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