On Tuesday morning, MInnesota Reformer editor J. Patrick Coolican shared DFL and Republican pundits' election prognostications in Daily Reformer Election Day edition: Predictions, hot lava takes, a cool playlist.
All of his pundits predicted Republicans gaining control of the Minnesota House, though one predicted the DFL would gain control of the senate.
At Session Daily Wednesday morning, Mike Cook observed in House stays in DFL control, Senate flips to create trifecta: "In a year the so-called “experts” and pundits predicted Republicans would fare well, the Capitol Complex was swarmed by a blue wave."
Here's the entire article:
Just like the start of two years ago, the House will be controlled 70-64 by the DFL. Along with DFLers keeping all four constitutional offices, the Senate will be in DFL control 34-33 when the 2023-24 bienniuim begins.
It’ll be the first time since 2013-14 that one party has a legislative trifecta. That, too, was the DFL.
In a year the so-called “experts” and pundits predicted Republicans would fare well, the Capitol Complex was swarmed by a blue wave.
Election results are not official until they have been certified by the state canvassing board. That is scheduled to occur Nov. 29.
According to the unofficial results at the Office of the Secretary of State, two races won by Republicans — Roger Skraba over Rep. Rob Ecklund in District 3A and Natalie Zeleznikar over 23-term Rep. Mary Murphy in District 3B — are eligible for a state-funded recount. Skraba won by 0.15% (37 votes amongst 21,046 cast) and Zeleznikar’s win was by 35 votes out of 21,620 cast, or 0.16%.
By law, “A publicly funded recount of the results of an election for a state legislative office may occur if the difference in the number of votes cast for the apparent winning candidate and any other candidate is less than one-half of 1 percent (0.5 percent).” Candidates can pay for a recount themselves for larger margins.
The 2023 session is to begin Jan. 3 at noon. It must end by May 22. Office numbers and committee information will be determined in coming weeks by the majority caucus.
Make Liberty Win Independent expenditures red flop
Earlier this month, Bluestem had looked at one out-of-state effort to persuade voters to vote red in six in our post Make Liberty Win's independent expenditures bring nastygram money to the Gopher State.
That worked. Of those targets? We welcome Shakopee Democrat Brad Tapke back to the Minnesota House after sitting out a term, along with re-elected South St. Paul environmental champion Rick Hansen, another MLW target. They'll be joined by teacherJosiah Hill, who defeated Stillwater MLW endorsee and COVID denier Mark Bishofsky in MN33, and Rochester Democrat and disability advocate Kim Hicks, who beat MLW fav Wendy Phillips in 25A.
In the Senate, teacher, paramedic, lawyer, fire department member Judy Seeberger beat MLW's endorsee Tom Dippel for theopen seat in SD41. Lonsdale LMW endorsee chiropractor Bill Lieske beat Northfield City Councilor Clarice Grabau for SD58.
One out of six? Outstanding.
Photo: The Minnesota State Capitol dome.
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