>> ERIC: FOR AN OFF-YEAR ELECTION, THERE WAS A LOT OF NEWS MADE THIS WEEK.
IN ADDITION TO THE HOTLY CONTESTED SCHOOL BOARD RACES AROUND THE METRO, FORMER STATE SENATOR ROGER REINERT BEAT INCUMBENT MAYOR EMILY LARSON IN DULUTH.
AND THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE SEVERAL NEW PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS, BUT COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANDREA JENKINS DID WIN RE-ELECTION BY JUST 38 VOTES.
WE’VE ROUNDED UP A GROUP OF ESTEEMED POLITICAL REPORTERS WHO’VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE ACTION.
DAVE ORRICK COVERS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS FOR THE “STAR TRIBUNE.”
CAROLINE CUMMINGS COVERS ALL THINGS POLITICS FOR WCCO TV.
ACROSS TOWN AT KARE-11 IS WHERE JOHN CROMAN COVERS POLITICS AS WELL.
AND OUR VERY OWN MARY LAHAMMER ROUNDS OUT THE GROUP.
IS MR. ORRICK, SINCE YOU ARE AT MINNEAPOLIS CITY HALL, YOU GET TO WATCH WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL MOVING NOW EVEN FURTHER LEFT THAN IT WAS.
WHAT OF THAT?
>> YEAH, THERE’S MINIMUM WAGE OF SEVEN PROGRESSIVES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ON THE NEW COUNCIL, BE SWORN IN JANUARY 1ST.
BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TALKING ABOUT FARTHER LEFT IN THIS DAY, COMPARED TO WHAT FARTHER LEFT MAY HAVE SOUNDED LIKE IN 2020 RIGHT AFTER GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED.
THIS IS NOT AN ABOLISH THE POLICE MAJORITY ON THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL.
AND IT’S OT A VETO-PROOF MAJORITY FOR MAYOR JACOB FREY.
>> Cathy: ANYBODY WANT TO CHIME IN ON THIS AT ALL.
>> Eric: IS IT A HE OR SHE ANGER OF 2024?
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT’S PROBABLY FAIR TO SAY.
I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT BOTH MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, YOU SAW THE DREND OF DIVERSITY.
PROGRESSIVE.
WOMEN.
PEOPLE OF COLOR.
IT’S LOOKING LIKE ST. PAUL, I THINK WE JUST HEARD SHANIQUA JOHNSON, JUST WON.
THAT WAS JUST ANNOUNCED.
SO THIS LOOKS LIKE IT OULD BE A MAJORITY FEMALE ST. PAUL CITY COUNCIL.
THAT’S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.
SO I FEEL LIKE IT’S REFLECTING WHAT WE SAX IN THE LEGISLATURE.
VERY MUCH LIKE THAT ELECTION PSYCH AME.
RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.
>> YEAH, AND I WAS IN ST. PAUL ALL AYE AT THE RAMSEY COUNTY ELECTION CENTER WATCHING THEM SHUFFLE AND RESORT THE ANKED CHOICE BALLOTS AND DEFINITELY IT’S DEFINITELY YOUTH – MOVEMENT.
IT’S WOMEN OF COLOR AND IT’S GOING TO PROBABLY BE FOR SURE BE ALL WOMEN FOR — IN THE CITY COUNCIL IN ST. PAUL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY.
SO A LOT OF EXCITEMENT DOWN THERE.
ALTHOUGH IT’S ALL, YOU KNOW, UNOFFICIAL UNTIL THE CANVASSING BOARD SEES IT.
I THINK IN ST. PAUL THE IMPLICATIONS WILL BE — HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH RENT, WHAT SOME PEOPLE CALL RENT CONTROL.
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE CALL — >> Eric: RENT STABILIZATION.
>> AND OF COURSE OUR LOCAL ELECTIONS DIDN’T GAIN NATIONAL ATTENTION.
BUT IF YOU’RE LOOKING AT SOME NATIONAL HEADLINES, WHAT DO THEY MEAN IN MINNESOTA, I WAS WATCHING THE OHIO BALLOT MEASURE ON ABORTION, ACTUALLY JUST TALKED TO SPEAKER HORTMAN, JUST THIS WEEK, AND ASKED HER, ARE YOU CONSIDERING KNOWING THE ELECTORAL SUCCESS THAT THESE BALLOT MEASURES HAVE HAD FOR ABORTION RIGHT SUPPORTERS IN RHETTERS RED STATES AND BLUE STATES, WHAT WILL YOU DO NEXT AND THEY ARE CONSIDERING A BALLOT MEASURE IN 2024 TO PUT IS A BOORGS RIGHTS IN THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION, WHICH IS IN ADDITION TO THE P.R.O.
ACT THAT WE HAVE ALL COVERED HERE HAT PUT CODIFIED ABORTION RIGHTS AND OTHER PROTECTIONS FOR FERTILITY TREATMENTS IN STATE LAW.
SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I WAS WATCHING NATIONWIDE THAT MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT HERE.
>> Eric: A PERSON IN THE KNOW SAID THAT PRO-LIFERS MAY BE OKAY WITH THAT.
IT WOULD GET IT OFF THE TABLE AS AN ISSUE.
>> WELL, THE — >> Eric: BECAUSE IT’S HURTING REPUBLICANS APPARENTLY.
>> WELL, THE OPPONENTS OF IS ABORTION IGHTS ARE REALLY UNDETERRED IN THEIR MESSAGE AND THEY’RE SAYING, THEY’RE TELLING ME THAT THEY’RE GOING OUT TO MINNESOTANS AND TALKING TO THEM ABOUT WHAT THIS LAW IS, THE P.R.O.
ACT IS.
AND SOME OF THE REPEALS OF THE RESTRICTIONS THAT WERE ON THE BOOKS.
I’M TALKING NEXTED CONSENT, AND THE 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD WERE AMONG THE REPEALERS IN THAT REPEALER BILL.
AND THEY’RE SAYING THAT MINNESOTANS — THIS IS NOT WHERE MINNESOTANS ARE AT.
SO TO SAY THAT THEY WOULD E OKAY WITH THAT, I FEEL LIKE, IS A LITTLE BIT OF A STRETCH.
>> I DON’T KNOW THAT THEY WANT IT ON THE BALLOT TOO BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP OF THE THE TICKET, THERE’S NOT A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM FOR PROSE BIDEN AND IF YOU PUT ABORTION ON THE BALLOT THAT, COULD HELP DRIVE WHAT WE’RE SEEING AS AN ENTHUSIASM.
>> Cathy: I’M GOING TO GO BACK TO DAVE ORRICK HERE FOR JUST A MOMENT.
WITH THIS NEW MAKEUP OF THE COUNCIL, SOME OF THESE NEW FACES, HOW MIGHT THAT AFFECT SOME OF THE AISHZ COMING BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
WE TALKED TO CHIEF O’HARA HERE, THIS POLICE CONTRACT THAT WILL BE COMING ROUND THE THE CORNER.
>> YEAH, IT’S GOING TO BE A HARDER LIFT FOR MORE MONEY FOR MORE POLICE WITH THIS NEWER COUNCIL.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT AN ABOLITIONIST MAJORITY THAT IS GOING TO COME IN, BUT IT’S NOT A CITY COUNCIL THAT IS GOING TO RUBBER STAMP THINGS THAT THE POLICE ARE EHIND.
AND WE WILL SEE.
I’M INTERESTED TO SEE THIS NEW RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION THING THAT JUST BROKE TODAY THAT YOU TALKED WITH THE CHIEF ABOUT.
THAT WILL COME UP TUESDAY AT THE CITY COUNCIL.
I THINK THE CURRENT CITY COUNCIL.
WHICH DOES AVE A MORE MODERATE MAJORITY.
I’M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THEY RESPOND TO THAT.
BECAUSE NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER, YOU’RE GOING TO, I THINK, SEE, THIS CITY COUNCIL START TO TRY TO FLEX ITS MUSCLE A LITTLE BIT IN THE PUSH AND PULL AND THE POWER STRUGGLE WITH THE MAYOR’S OFFICE, BECAUSE THIS THING COMES IN VERY LATE IN THE BUDGET CYCLE.
IT’S VERY INSIDE BASEBALL AND STUFF, BUT THAT IS WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL DOES.
THEY HOLD PURSE STRINGS AND COMBINE A LITTLE BIT OF FEELING LIKE MAYBE THEY’RE BEING BOXED INTO A CORNER ON SHORT NOTICE WITH SOME OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS WHO REALLY PROBABLY DON’T LIKE THIS NEW MONEY FOR COPS, I’M GOING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TUESDAY ON THAT.
AND NEXT YEAR, IT’LL BE EVEN MORE SO.
>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT YOUR VISIT TO THE GRANITE STATE AND DEAN PHILLIPS, PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF.
>> HEY THAT, WAS A WHIRL WIND TRIP.
I WAS IN D.C. FOR EMMER FOR THREE DAYS, THEN DROVE TO IN.
>> DROVE?
>> YEAH, AND I GOT TO SEE A LOT OF PRETTY SCENERY.
AND THEN WE WERE LOANED TO OUR STATION IN MAINE TO HELP COVER THE MASS SHOOTING THERE.
SO THERE WAS LIKE EIGHT DAYS ON THE ROAD AND I’M GOING TO MAKE IT HOME TONIGHT.
SORRY, BOBBY BEAR FANS.
>> Eric: DAVE DUDLEY.
>> YOU KNEW THAT ESKOLA WOULD KNOW.
[ Laughter ] ANYHOW, WITH PHILLIPS IT WAS INTERESTING, BECAUSE EVEN BEFORE WE GOT THERE, WE HAD OTHER REPORTERS IN D.C. LIKE, WHO’S DEAN PHILLIPS AND DEAR ABBEY’S GRANDSON.
WE’RE TRYING TO EXPLAIN IT.
BUT WHEN WE GOT THERE, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS STILL A LOT OF INTEREST.
AND THERE WAS A TON OF MEDIA THERE IN CONCORD THAT DAY THAT WERE REALLY JUST CLAMORING TO HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.
AND I DON’T KNOW IF HE CAN SUSTAIN THAT.
YOU KNOW, ALL THE CAMPAIGN STOPS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
I MEAN, IT PROBABLY DOESN’T HELP HIM THAT BIDEN’S NOT ON THE BALLOT IN IN.
L. IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
>> Cathy: HE SENT THE PAPERWORK FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA HELLO PRIMARY.
>> THAT’S JOE BIDEN COUNTRY.
THAT’S THE STATE THAT DELIVERED JOE BIDEN THE NOMINATION AND IT’S REALLY WHY BIDEN WANTED TO REWARD SOUTH CAROLINA FOR — WITH ITS RESHUFFLING OF THE CALENDAR.
BUT, YOU KNOW, TO JOHNSON’S POINT ABOUT BIDEN NOT BEING ON THE BALLOT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, THIS DOES HAVE TO PUT BIDEN AND HIS SUPPORTERS A LITTLE BIT ON OFFENSE.
RIGHT IN CAMPAIGN EVEN IF THEY’RE — A WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN EVEN — I MEAN, IT DOES COMPLICATE THINGS FOR THE PRESIDENT THAT HE IS RUNNING.
>> Eric: AND MARY, HOW DOES STATE SENATOR MORRISON GET INVOLVED.
>> Mary: TO SAY WHAT I’M WATCHING WITH DEAN PHILLIPS TO SEE WHAT IT DOES WITH HIS CAREER IN MINNESOTA.
AND HE GOT A FOR YES, I DIDDABLE CHALLENGER.
HE ALREADY WILL ONE.
HE GOT ANOTHER.
BUT OB/GYN, STATE SENATOR, SHE WON A REPUBLICAN SEAT IN THE STATE HOUSE.
SHE JUST WON A REPUBLICAN SEAT IN THE SENATE.
SHE’S BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS SOME REDISTRICTING, BUT THIS IS A PERSON WHO HAS KNOCKED OFF BASICALLY TWO REPUBLICAN SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND SHE CAN OWN WHAT, I THINK, IS STILL GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST ISSUE AT THE BALLOT, I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO HIT ABORTION HARD AND SHE’S AN OB/GYN.
SHE’S ALSO SEEN AS A MODERATE SO IT’S A REALLY GOOD FIT FOR THE DISTRICT.
HE COULD VERY WELL BE JEOPARDIZING HIS SEAT.
>> IS SHE IN IT TO WIN IT OR CAN S SHE TRYING TO SCARE HIM?
>> Mary: THERE ARE NO STAKES BECAUSE SHE CAN STILL RUN FOR HER STATE SENATE SEAT.
AND YOU CAN’T LOSE A SENATOR FROM THOSE WESTERN SUBURBS FURTHER OUT BECAUSE THAT’S STILL A COMPETITIVE AREA.
>> YEAH, AND IF ABORTION IS STILL THE ISSUE THAT IT HAS PROVEN TO BE IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS OF MOTIVATING VOTERS AND WINNING OVER THOSE INDEPENDENTS, I MEAN, SHE CAN RUNL ON THE FACT THAT YES, SHE’S A OB/GYN, BUT SHE ALSO HELPED WRITE THAT P.R.O.
ACT LEGISLATION, AND THOSE ARE THINGS JUST TO BOLSTER HER RECORD ON THAT ISSUE THAT COULD BE STILL EALLY IMPORTANT TO VOTERS COME NEXT YEAR.
>> Cathy: AND DO WE KNOW, IS PHILLIPS RUNNING FOR HIS SEAT?
SO IF HE FAILS — >> HE HASN’T SAID.
HE’S GOT UNTIL JUNE 4TH TO DECIDE.
>> Eric: WHO KNOWS ABOUT THE DLIEWTDZDULUTH MAYOR’S RACE?
>> Mary: I RECALL IN THE ROOM, WE GOT BARKED AT A FEW TIMES, I THOUGHT, WOW, THESE DULUTH VOTERS REALLY CARE.
THEY DIDN’T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING.
AND YOU COULD FEEL THE NGST.
YOU COULD KIND OF SEE THAT ANTI-INCUMBENT, TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW.
WE REALLY DIDN’T LIKE ALL THE SNOW THAT DIDN’T GET ARE REMOVED.
I MEAN, THEY WERE STILL — WE WERE UP THERE ON A WARM SUNNY DAY AND PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SNOW IN DULUTH.
AND YOU HEARD FORMER STATE SENATOR ROGER REINERT SAY, I THINK WE’RE GOING TO DO CITY STUFF.
WHAT WALTER MONDALE THAT THE PHRASE?
WHICH I THINK EANS SNOW REMOVAL.
BUT REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE EVERY BIG DEMOCRAT AND THEIR MOTHER CAME UP FOR HER.
WALZ, KLOBUCHAR, EVERYBODY.
BUT YOU KNOW.
YOU’RE FROM DULUTH.
THEY DON’T LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO, DO THEY?
>> Cathy: WHAT DOES IT MEAN, THE FACT THAT LARSON DID HAVE A TON OF UNION ENDORSEMENTS AND AS YOU SAY, LL THESE MAJOR D.F.L.ERS.
SO DO ENDORSEMENTS MEAN THING TO ANYBODY ANYBODY?
>> THEY CHANGE.
I THINK DONALD TRUMP SHOWED THE CHANGE IN DYNAMIC IN ENDORSEMENTS.
IN MINNESOTA WE’VE ALWAYS HAD THIS FUNNY SITUATION WITH THE RANGE VERSUS, YOU KNOW, THE METRO AND YOU’VE GOT DIFFERENT UNIONS UP THERE AND STUFF.
I WAS JUST AMAZED THAT THE DULUTH THAT THE MARGIN WAS SO MUCH.
>> Eric: DOES EMILY LARSON HAVE A FUTURE OR IS THAT GONE NOW?
BECAUSE IS A SHE WAS SEEN AS MAYBE THE NEXT BIG THING.
>> WE ALL COVERED ROGER IN THE LEGISLATURE WHEN REINERT WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE.
AND HE WAS ALWAYS KIND OF WONKISH.
LIKE, HE COULD TELL YOU A LOT ABOUT A LOT F THINGS.
BUT I DIDN’T SEE HIM RISING UP AND UNSEATING A INCOUPLE BERNLT LIKE THAT I.
>> Mary: HE WAS TRYING TO DENINE 34EUD MIDDLE GROUND WHICH IS INCREASINGLY DISAPPEARING AT THE CAPITOL AS THE TWO RIGHT AND LEFT EXTREMES TAKE OVER.
THERE’S NOT MANY ROGER REINERT’S LEFT AT THE LEGISLATURE.
>> Cathy: I KNOW WE HAD A BUSY WEEK, BUT WHAT OTHER STORIES ARE YOU LOOKING T?
>> OTHER THAN THE FLAG?
[ Laughter ] >> THE FLAG!
THE BIGGEST HEADLINE.
WEEK.
HOTDISH CAPITOL OF THE U.S. >> Eric: YOU PUT THAT ON TWITTER.
>> HOTDISH CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> Eric: HAS IT GOT A SHOT?
>> NO.
IT RUNS IS A FOUL OF ALL OF THE RULES THAT THEY HAVE SET.
MANY OF THOSE DO, INCLUDING THE PICTURE OF THE DOG.
SOMEBODY SUBMITTED JUST A PICTURE OF THEIR DOG.
>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE LOON WITH THE LASERS?
>> AT THESE THREE LOONS WITH LASERS COMING OUT OF THEIR EYES.
>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
>> MAYBE THAT’S THE SYMBOL FOR NEXT YEAR’S ELECTION.
>> WE COULD AT LEAST CALL IT IS THE FLAAAAAA OF COURSEG.
>> Eric: THIS STATE IS SO PRIVILEGED TO INVOLVERPRIVILEGED HAVE REPORTERS OF YOUR QUALITY.
>> THIS IS LIKE FLAMING THE SNOW
