Almanac: At the Capitol

Elwyn Tinklenberg will announce he's running to try to replace Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Tink will make it official Monday morning and it appears former Ventura spokesperson John Wodele will be helping him out. The former transportation commissioner will join DFLer Bob Olson in this race. It's a very red district and tough for a Dem, but Tink has some more conservative views that should help him.

And Eric Black has news that "James B. Hovland, the Republican mayor of Edina, will be switching to the DFL and is seriously contemplating entering the race for the Dem nomination for the open Third District congressional seat." Also in the 6th "State Representative Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) announced today that he will actively explore a run for Congress in Minnesota's Third District and will form a federal campaign committee next week. 'I have received an outpouring of encouragement to run for the Third District seat,' said the former Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives. 'I want to take the necessary steps to consider this race seriously. Forming a campaign committee is the next step.'"

One of the toughest and most knowledgeable people on health care just signed off on Gov. Pawlenty's new Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan. Sen. Linda Berglin just had this to say:

I applaud the Governor’s appointment of Sanne Magnan for Commissioner of Health. I believe Dr. Magnan to be of the utmost integrity. She has earned the respect of the medical community as both a brilliant clinician and competent manager in her role as president of the Institute on Clinical Systems Improvement. The Governor has made a good choice in Dr. Magnan and the timing couldn’t be better as we look to make comprehensive reforms in Minnesota’s health care system. I have confidence that she will lead the Department of Health in a way that restores public confidence and improves public health in Minnesota.

Here's what the governor had to say about the pro-life (it's a requirement for a Republican governor) choice:

Dr. Magnan’s impressive credentials and hands-on health experience make her the right person to lead the Department of Health. Minnesota is ranked the healthiest state in the nation and I believe Dr. Magnan will build on that tradition as we continue to work on improving and reforming health care in our state and protecting and promoting the public’s health.

Now it really appears that Rep. Erik Paulsen is not just the frontrunner, but one of the major contenders left standing on the Republican side of the 3rd congressional district race. Minnesota Democrats Exposed is reporting that Geoff Michel is not running, a couple of days ago word also came that RNC's Brian Sullivan is not running. So I think that leaves Sheriff Rich Stanek, Rep. Joyce Peppin, Rep. Kurt Zellers as notable names still in the mix. Also, solidifying my earlier post about frontrunners, Terri Bonoff is the first candidate with a website up and running. I do hear Rep. Melissa Hortman is a contender but some people I spoke with from the district over the weekend are concerned she's been too outspoken on tax increases to work in the swing district.

Democratic lawmakers from the House and Senate led by Sen. Steve Murphy just held a press conference with the backdrop of a "rusted and worn out bridge like the leadership of MnDOT" and called for Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau's resignation. Murphy went on to say that if she doesn't leave now on her own terms the Senate has the votes to fire her by rejecting her confirmation. The Senate Transportation Chair says Molnau's confirmation will come up in the second or third day of the session that starts in February. DFLers pointed to a number of delayed projects (Crosstown, Wacouta) along with the bridge collapse and response as reasons to "clean house" and get rid Molnau and her executive staff. Many sources say the governor isn't delighted with Molnau, but you can't exactly fire your lt. gov. so he's in a pickle. It's probably easier for Pawlenty to just let the Senate fire her, but Dems want the big guy to suffer too and many of them are frustrated his popularity hasn't suffered as his commissioners get in hot water. Murphy says the person at the top of the ticket is the quarterback so this is Pawlenty's responsibility. We'll see what happens, but Molnau doesn't strike me as a woman who gives up or in easily. She is tough.

It was a day of dueling press conferences at the State Capitol. First, Gov. Pawlenty announced a new small business initiative worth about $70 million, which upstaged a Democrat's event on crime victims. Pawlenty also used his time with the press to clear up what he calls a misunderstanding about MnDOT's request for additional spending authority to cover the 35W bridge reconstruction. He said for lawmakers to not approve the money is "silly" and used the analogy that if this were a basketball game, this should be a lay-up. Meanwhile leading senators on transportation questioned whether the request is even legal. Sens. Dibble and Murphy say without federal money in hand, "This is irresponsible," especially with the governor's "abysmal record on transportation."

The other fight brewing is over the soon-to-be-announced health commissioner. The governor says he'll make an appointment "within a matter of days." Meanwhile DFLers led by Rep. Rukavina held a press conference with signs saying "restoring the trust" because Rukavina says there's no trust left on the Iron Range and he wants a commissioner who "relies on science, not voodoo science." Pawlenty's appointment will be telling. When lawmakers forced out his education commissioner, he responded with a less-partisan and well-liked lawmaker. We'll see if he's feeling concillatory.

The bad news just keeps coming for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Last week's headlines weren't good (the emergency responder who didn't respond in person until 10 days after the bridge collapse and the consultant they hired but didn't use months before the collapse). Now DFL state senators are putting on the pressure. Transportation Chair Sen. Steve Murphy sending a letter to MnDOT saying, "I would appreciate the information for which I originally asked." Then Sen. Kathy Saltzman sent another letter questioning the possible delay of the Dakota bridge project, which is already very far behind schedule. The Woodbury senator said: "I am requesting that you please confirm immediately if this situation is correct. And, if this is the situation, I am also requesting that you immediately send me a list of the other projects being delayed and their new completion/start dates." Let's remember these are some of the senators who can decide to confirm or fire MnDOT Commissioner/Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau. I've had many ask if she's going to resign. Not that I know of, but the Senate could force her out this winter when they convene for session.

The field is quickly being formed to replace Congressman Jim Ramstad. On the DFL side, Andy Luger is out and he was seen as a frontrunner. So Luger, Humphrey, Lillehaug, Ruud and Luther are all not running. State Senator Terri Bonoff is running and everyone I talk to sees her as the frontrunner. She has pro-business moderate credentials that work in the district. Her gender helps and she's a little firecracker. Other Dems who may be contenders: Rep. Melissa Hortman, Rep. Steve Simon and former Sen. Steve Kelley. On the Republican side I'm hearing the most buzz about Rep. Erik Paulsen. Apparently he's working his tail off and has all the right connections. He used to work for Ramstad, Pawlenty likes him, his legislative colleagues like him. He is just pretty darn likeable. Some like the idea of Sen. Geoff Michel, but others say his reputation is more moderate than his voting record. Brian Sullivan is always formidable with his money and insider status in the party, but he may be too conservative for the district. Rep. Kurt Zellers, Rep. Joyce Peppin and Sheriff Rich Stanek are also possibilities. Lots of interesting press recently on the district if you haven't seen it on the changes in the district that puts it in play for both parties.