Today I want to focus on what is happening on the state legislative level and it is good news. First of all, the
DLCC is reminding us of yet another victory in Minnesota.
On November 22, Terri Bonoff, (DFL) defeated Plymouth Mayor Judy Johnson (R) in a special election for the State Senate seat in Minnesota's 43rd District. Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty chose to hold the special election two days before Thanksgiving in an effort to keep voter turnout low.
However, Pawlenty is up to yet another dirty trick.
In a truly underhanded move, Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty has scheduled two special elections in Minnesota for December 27, 2005, just two days after Christmas. This is not the first time the Governor played games with special election dates--Pawlenty also scheduled an election for two days before Thanksgiving. It has been suspected his plan is to limit voter turnout in an effort to boost the GOP candidates' chances. St. Cloud State University will be on winter break on the day of the election and thus, most students will not be around to vote.
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Tarryl Clark (DFL) is running for State Senate in the 15th District, and Larry Haws (DFL) is running in the Minnesota House election in District 15B. Democrats are two seats away from a majority in the Minnesota House, with 66 seats to the Republicans' 68. In the Minnesota Senate, Democrats have a majority with 37 seats while the GOP holds 30.
Control of state legislatures is crucial to the future of the Democratic Party as 20 of the 36 states in which state legislatures control redistricting are within 4 seats of switching party control. State legislators are the national barometers of the future--57 percent of Members of Congress and 44 percent of Governors once served in state houses.
I don't know Minnesota well enough to know the makeup of these seats or if winning would result in pick-ups. I wish Minnesota kossacks the best of luck and pledge my support to help if necessary.
Before I wrap this up, I would like everyone to take a moment to check out Laura Leyva who is running for the State House in the Florida 107th. Based on what I read about her here and in her blog ad, she seems like a good progressive candidate in a tough district. I hope we can all offer whatever physical, financial and/or moral support as well.
After all, if you give her $100 or more, she'll call and personally thank you. How many candidates do that? Good luck, Laura!