Tim Walz

Congressman Tim Walz

tptadmin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:46:10 -0600

We've been checking in with members of Congress this month. First District Congressman Tim Walz joins us in Studio B.

1st District Debate Live!

tptadmin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:26:01 -0500

It's Debate night on Almanac! We start with the 1st District. There are three candidates running to represent Southern Minnesota's congressional district. Republican Brian Davis and Independence Party candidate Greg Mikkelson join us live to debate the issues. Incumbent Democratic House member Tim Walz declined the invitation to appear with his opponents.

First District Debate

tptadmin — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:00:55 -0500

On Thursday the leading candidates for Minnesota's First Congressional District held their first debate. We bring you highlights as Tim Walz squares off with challenger Brian Davis.

Primary's Biggest Winners and Losers

Mary Lahammer — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 22:33:41 -0500

First District Republican congressional candidate Brian Davis has to big the night's biggest winner. He took on a well-known and well-liked sitting Senator Dick Day and won. Day is a maverick who doesn't mind upsetting the party elite and that didn't help him in a primary that's usually filled with party activists. If Farmfest was any indication, Davis will still have a tough road against Congressman Tim Walz who stills seems popular with the rural people in his district.

Next, on the winner's list is Dean Barkley. The former U.S. Senator should have won this primary race, still he was running against an endorsed candidate and party chair. He just needs to raise some money and start buying some media. An IPer with name-id really makes the Senate race interesting and ultimately harder to predict.

Finally, the biggest legislative winner is probably Rep. Jim Abeler from Anoka. He was one of the famous override-six and listening to his speech the last night of session it sounded like he even thought he was a goner. He voted his heart, not necessarily his future and it was an emotional decision to watch. It's never fun for a lawmaker to defy his caucus.

Now, in the loser category, Sen. Dick Day. He's such a nice, fun guy who's a great sport. The press corps really like the guy. He's plain-spoken and colorful. He just isn't into pleasing the party as I mentioned above. The question now is if he'll retire from the Senate after once serving as the minority leader. It's tough for former leaders to go back to being just rank and file members of the legislature. It wasn't a great year for state lawmakers looking to move up. Sen. Terri Bonoff was also defeated in a congressional run. The legislature used to a springboard for higher office, we'll see if it works for Erik Paulsen in the 3rd or if the recent trend ends with Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum.

Priscilla Lord Faris spent some serious time and energy on a losing race. Nearly 30% of the vote is not bad. The fact she did motivate some voters to the polls shows some dissatisfaction with Franken, but he may have time to overcome that. Although the nible Coleman is still running a spot-on campaign.

Finally, another well-liked lawmaker and one of the override-six concludes my list of the top winners and losers. Rep. Neil Peterson fom Bloomington had character and spunk and that's always appreciated in the press. But once again, you can't bite the hand that feeds you: local party activists.

A couple of honorable mentions in the loser category: Mpls. Rep. Willie Dominguez and Rep. Mark Olson who won't be elevated to the Senate.

Headlines

tptadmin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:32:32 -0500

Mary talks to Al Franken about his tax troubles, budget negotiations pick up with talk of bringing bonding projects back into the mix, and a Senate committe meeting about the NWA merger turns feisty on the subject of jobs.

One on One with Franken

Mary Lahammer — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:39:38 -0500

I just sat down with Al Franken for a one-on-one interview about his financial problems. We'll have some clips tonight on Almanac: At the Capitol and more Friday on Almanac. He said "yesterday was the best day of the campaign" because his staff and supporters rallied. Franken says they contacted most of the delegates and virtually every one said the recent news was not a problem.

Franken is not ready to get out of this race and he'd be surprised if Walz or Ciresi gets in. He intends on winning the endorsement and the Senate seat. When I asked about word at the Capitol saying there's more trouble for Franken he squarely said "will there be some small error somewhere to surface, maybe" but he thinks they did a fast but thorough "scrub" of his financial records.

Overall, Franken was relaxed and funny off camera. He gave us a tour of the headquarters showing us where volunteers were working the phones furiously for him. Check out more on our air tonight (tpt17 7pm & tpt2 10pm).

Congressman Tim Walz

tptadmin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:00:25 -0500

A few weeks back we spoke on the program with several Republicans running for Congress in the First District. This week Democratic incumbent Tim Walz joins us on the set.

Dick Day Going to a Primary

Mary Lahammer — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:57:05 -0600

State Senator Dick Day announced he will run in a primary. Brian Davis, another Republican candidate in the First Congressional District said he's disappointed and said "Senator Day went back on his word that he gave at numerous Republican activists' meetings stating he would abide by the endorsement process." Day says that primary election "are far more democratic than the current system in which party insiders hand pick the candidates." He pointed to the frustration over recent presidential caucuses in the state. Day points out that he has raised more money than his competitors. State Rep. Randy Demmer is also running for this seat currently occupied by Congressman Tim Walz. I talked to Day and Demmer recently for a story about running for higher office during a legislative session. As far as a primary, Day could be counting on his name recognition after serving the area for nearly two decades and being one of the more colorful and quotable lawmakers. Brian Davis, whom I've never met, is a Rochester physician and his wife is an ER doc.

Congressional Tussle Over Funding the New 35W Bridge

tptadmin — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:25:51 -0600

U.S. House members John Kline and Tim Walz took different sides on a big House bill that would fund — among other things — the final construction costs of the new 35W Bridge in Minneapolis. They join us live to explain their positions.

Glitch in Education Benefits for Guard Troops

tptadmin — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:13:48 -0500

General Larry Shellito testified before Congress Thursday about ways to beef up the G. I. Bill when it comes to National Guard troops. The general joins us.