Politics Friday

Minnesota’s eight U.S. House seats don’t change hands all that often, but after November’s midterm election one seat certainly will.

The state’s 2nd Congressional District will have a new representative come January 2027. Democratic incumbent, Rep. Angie Craig, is running for the open U.S. Senate and will leave the House after four terms.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with candidates about why they’re the best Democrat to serve the district that runs from the suburbs down into southern Minnesota farm towns.

Local party conventions around Minnesota are shaping top political races.

Delegates are being selected for the state endorsing conventions at the end of May. So candidates are making the rounds — especially for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat and an open governor’s race.

Democrats will be trying to hang onto the seats, while Republicans will be trying to break a statewide election dry spell.

The GOP has a very competitive race for the governor spot on the ballot. House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls are part of a top tier of hopefuls. But MyPillow founder Mike Lindell contends he is too.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Lindell about his governor campaign.

Also, the Senate made a significant rule change this week that could make public service more attractive to candidates with young families. We’ll hear from the lawmakers who pushed for change in the Senate.

Plus, a recap from this week at the Capitol as the Legislature adjourns for a week-long recess.

Guests:

Mike Lindell is the founder of MyPillow and a Republican candidate running for Minnesota governor.
Clay Masters is the host All Things Considered for MPR News.
Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
Peter Cox is a correspondent for MPR News.

The first big deadline for action in the 2026 legislative session is quickly approaching at the Capitol.

While committee hearings will be churning at full steam next week, a number of bills are delayed or stuck in the tied Minnesota House. But there’s an area where measures have fielded bipartisan support: consumer protection. 

Legislation is on the march that deals with the prices people pay, defenses against scams and recourses available if they’ve been ripped off. 

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests assess what consumer protection bills might make it into law this year. 

Later in the program, a check-in with the top state economic development official about paid leave, artificial intelligence and all that’s changing our interactions with the workplace. 

Guests:

DFL Rep. Erin Koegel of Spring Lake Park
Republican Sen. Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls
Matt Varilek, commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.  
Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

It’s been about a month since White House Official Tom Homan announced a drawdown of federal immigration officers in Minnesota, but the news from a fearful public and growing concern for those impacted remains. 

Lawmakers at the state Capitol are responding to the fallout from “Operation Metro Surge” through a variety of bills. They’re also holding press conferences and speaking on the floor of the House and Senate about what happened during the surge, from federal agents using unmarked vehicles and wearing masks, to whether the state should provide rental assistance for those afraid to leave their homes. 














MPR News host Catharine Richert talks with two lawmakers about the immigration legislation at the state Capitol, and what may or may not get done with a tied House.  

Later, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith has been outspoken on Capitol Hill. In the year from her announcement to not run for reelection, Smith has been quick to criticize the White House from the ICE surge to the war in Iran. Smith details those events and how she plans to close out her term with MPR News political correspondent Dana Ferguson.

Guests:

DFL Sen. Zaynab Mohamed of Minneapolis
Republican Rep. Max Rymer of North Branch
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith
Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Federal law changes provided new breaks for income derived from overtime and tips. Other business tax cuts were approved last year, too.

Now Minnesota lawmakers are debating how many of those ideas to incorporate into the state tax code. It would come at a hefty cost. Proposals to contain rising property taxes are also under review in the Legislature.

MPR News host Brian Bakst and a pair of lawmakers talk taxes.

Later, we’re off to Washington where Minnesota continues to be the focal point for multiple reasons. The continuing fight to contain public program fraud had the attention of a U.S. House committee, which summoned Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to testify. Two congressional committees put now-removed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the hot seat over problems in the Minnesota immigration enforcement campaign.

Guests:

Republican Sen. Bill Weber, of Luverne
DFL Rep. Aisha Gomez, of Minneapolis
Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News
Peter Cox is a politics reporter for MPR News
Caroline Cummings is a politics reporter for WCCO-TV

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.