July 5, 2010
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Marty Owings

After hearing from someone recently about the difficulty he had getting a response from a Congressman outside his district via email, I became curious. Why not just write them a letter I asked? No one under 35 years old writes letters, was the quick response. Well you could call them right? Yes, I suppose I could call them, but emailing allows you to keep a record and to copy others. Fair enough I thought, let's check it out.

So how easy is it to submit an email question or concern to Minnesota's Representatives. I visited each of their websites and tried to submit an email question. Here are the results of my quick test in alphabetical order:

Michelle Bachmann - After entering my zip code at the zip code screening form: "Sorry, Congresswoman Bachmann does not represent that zip code."

June 1, 2010

In recent years, Minnesota Democrats have gnashed their teeth over the Independence Party (IP). In 2008, Democrat Al Franken beat Republican incumbent Senator Norm Coleman in an historic squeaker; in that race, the IP’s Dean Barkley took 15% of the vote, and seemed to get more of it from Franken-leaning voters than from Coleman-leaners, making what might have been a relatively easy Franken victory an epic nail-biter. In the 6th U.S. Congressional District race, IP joke candidate Bob Anderson drew 10% of the vote, possibly preventing Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg from deposing the well-known incumbent, Republican Michele Bachmann.

May 31, 2010
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Marty Owings

Independence Party Governor Candidate Rob Hahn announced via Facebook today that his running mate will be former DFL state Legislator Thomas Harens. Harens has run in the past for Mayor of Saint Paul, US Senate and even for President in 2004, although he was only the ballot in Minnesota. All of those runs were unsuccessful. Harens has been associated with a number of independent political party's including the Green Party and the Christian Freedom Party, which he created for his Presidential run in 2004.

About a week ago, Hahn challenged Indy party endorsed candidate Tom Horner to three debates and asked that Horner disclose the clients at his public relations firm. Horner promptly refused both requests. Horner's reason for refusing the debates was that he was focusing on the general election.

May 27, 2010
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Marty Owings

The rumors swirling around all week were finally confirmed today as Matt Entenza (DFL) candidate for Governor confirmed via Twitter that his running mate would be Robyne Robinson, the former Fox 9 News Anchor. The Twitter feed read, "It’s my distinct pleasure to announce Robyne Robinson @robynempls as my choice for lieutenant governor! Please welcome her aboard".

At a Capitol press conference, Robinson said she hadn't made up her mind until late last night. She said her involvement in the community and in covering politics gave her the experience necessary to be Entenza's running mate.

With Robinson picked as his running mate Entenza is the final DFL candidate for Governor to fill out his ticket. Former Senator Mark Dayton is running with State Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher's running mate is John Gunyou.

May 24, 2010
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Marty Owings

Former Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton (DFL) today selected current State Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon as his running mate in the Governor's race. Prettner Solon is in her third term in the State Senate. She replaced her husband, Senator Sam Solon who died of cancer in 2001. Prettner Solon represents the the Duluth area.

May 21, 2010
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Marty Owings

Margaret Anderson Kelliher, the DFL endorsed candidate for Governor, picked John Gunyou today as her running mate. Gunyou is a former state finance commissioner who held that position under the Carlson administration. He's held similar positions in Minneapolis and most currently worked as the Minnetonka City Manager.

Kelliher says that Gunyou is uniquely positioned to understand the states budget issues and is someone who is respected for his knowledge in that area. Gunyou has been sharply critical of Governor Tim Pawlenty's fiscal policies and said today that, "The Pawlenty administration has ducked the hard decisions and taken the easy way out."