MN-Gov (D/R): Two races, two upsets, as we hit 10% of precincts reporting. On the Democratic side, that Rep. Tim Walz is leading is not necessarily a surprise, but the surprise is that state attorney general Lori Swanson is a distant third. Walz leads with 41 percent, with state legislator Erin Murphy second at 36 percent, and Swanson well behind at 21 percent.
On the GOP side, the upset is that former Governor Tim Pawlenty, who was heavily recruited to make this bid, is trailing in early returns. Jeff Johnson, a Hennepin County commissioner and 2014 gubernatorial nominee, holds a 55-42 lead over Pawlenty. But a word of caution—Hennepin County makes up well over the voted counted thus far, so it should tighten.