FILING DAY
Ten weeks from today the Minnesota primary. Primary Senate debate invites went out last night – one for each party.
RIP to Larry Fitzgerald Sr. Twins win. Lynx win.
Average gas prices are dropping, but still above normal — $4.12/gal statewide and $4.17/gal in the Twin Cities. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/4x3H9I8
Gov. Tim Walz is on day six of nothing on his public schedule.
War in the Middle East could lead to pricier summer vacations in Minnesota. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/4vldtV9
Pres. Donald Trump will visit the Eau Claire, WI area on Friday to promote his agenda. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/43GW1yB
Happy National Rocky Road Day…yes the ice cream.
Send your donut nominations, for Friday being National Donut Day - there is likely a list.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
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Here are the two MNSiders from the weekend, with insight from the conventions.
SAT: https://fluence-media.co/49se3rS
SUN: https://fluence-media.co/4u5nHIc
SPEAKING Lobbyist and trade associations that are killing time waiting today, let me know if you want me to speak to your summer and fall events about the “Signals vs. Noise” of the election. bloisolson@gmail.com
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Get smarter… Long Term Care – Is Minnesota Ready? Care Providers Minnesota and LeadingAge Minnesota hosted providers, Senator Grant Hauschild (03, DFL), Representative Natalie Zeleznikar (03B, GOP), and Representative Nathan Nelson (11B, GOP) for a conversation about the future of careing for our seniors. This coming week the conversation moves to St. Cloud. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ue3YXA
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The deadline to file for state offices is today at 5:00 p.m. Speaker Lisa Demuth and her running mate Ryan Wilson will hold a news conference at 11 expect them to file and run in the primary. GOP Chair Alex Plechash decision to issue a statement on the endorsement seems suspicious and defeatist to the process that the party (and the delegate activists) have held sacred. T
The term “electability” was a dirty word for the GOP delegates over the weekend, and apparently for some DFLers. However, that’s exactly the reason Demuth and Michele Tafoya feel compelled to run in the primary. It’s another reason why the shift to the June primary will be tough to pass – because the activists will push back, and legislators are self-serving to keep the caucuses.
The anti-establishment vibe is strong in each party, look at the DFL over the weekend and the pushback against arguably the most successful DFLer in Minnesota in electoral politics in 20 years.
From data centers to the DC insiders, the power that DFLers have and GOPers want is being challenged by people who are trying to tear down the candidates who have been successful and frankly tested. They want to try untested candidates – for the sake of rebelling or losing?
Sigh - it would have been such a good year for a well-funded independent in the Governor’s race.
It’s a reminder that the Signal vs. Noise framing for 2026 is critical for the media to be mindful of in coverage. Just because someone makes noise, doesn’t make it mainstream nor the consensus of the populous.
KSTP was the only Twin Cities TV station with a reporter at the conventions, MPR was the only radio station from the Twin Cities. The Star Tribune at both, and the Pioneer Press can use their partnership with Forum to have coverage. That’s a much smaller pool than historically has covered conventions – which also could be a sign, that the endorsement represents so few voices – that the media doesn’t think it matters either.
The performative awards aren’t handed out on election day, instead we spend too much of the campaign highlighting them and distract from deeper coverage of issues. The handlers have begun to stock up on the bubble wrap, but asking harder, deeper questions about the issues that Minnesotans are thinking about daily will make for a more driven discussion that helps voters.
In 2017 then DFL Chair Ken Martin told me he was building a new model to ensure that the party held the Governor’s office – that winning was his top job. At the GOP debate in Morris and through the convention the candidates have talked about winning when convincing the activist they were the right candidate. The challenge is they make moves that put them on defense, they lean into unpopular issues and ultimately just as they try to convince the activists they can “win”, the activists ignore “electability” which means they lose.
The noise, or candidate created content - feeds the algorithm and deserves a lot more scrutiny throughout the cycle. In the meantime, keep pacing yourself.
70 days until the August 11th primary.
ENDORSMENT: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash said that while the party stands by its endorsed candidates, tech issues over the weekend caused confusion and chaos, and he opened the door for candidates who didn’t get endorsed to continue their campaigns.” PLECHASH: “Because of the unusual circumstances and the confusion caused by the disruption, I believe it is appropriate to make clear that any gubernatorial candidate who agreed to abide by the endorsement, should not be treated as bound by that pledge.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dYZFIQ
KLOBUCHAR: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “While backstage at the [DFL] convention Friday night, Sen. Amy Klobuchar loudly declared her frustration and said she was going to abandon the convention after delegates nominated a 26-year-old progressive activist. … Klobuchar would go on to overwhelmingly win the party endorsement on the first ballot with 68%. But that came after [progressives] nominated Kobey Layne. … Klobuchar expressed outrage to her staff and said that she was going to forgo the convention rather than go through additional speeches and a Q&A, according to the sources who could clearly hear what she was saying.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fpVRTz
FUNDRAISING: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Republican Party is postponing a major fundraiser scheduled for this week until after the August primary. … The annual Lincoln-Reagan dinner is meant to be one of the GOP’s biggest buckraking events, [and] former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was supposed to headline the June 5 event. … Sources familiar with the decision to delay the dinner tell Axios that donors’ frustration with the endorsement for [governor and U.S. Senate] played a role in the last-minute change of plans. … A date, location and program for the [fundraiser] will be announced soon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RxWqkl
MORE: In an email to supporters, GOP Chair Alex Plechash blamed a “scheduling conflict” for the delay, adding that he expects former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will still attend. PLECHASH: “By moving the dinner to the fall, we will be able to gather after the primary with our full slate of Republican candidates standing together — united, energized, and ready to win in November.”
TAKE: It may have been that they can’t fill the room with divided primaries where candidates and donors don’t want to boost party resources before the primary.
LINDELL: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell filed his candidacy for the GOP gubernatorial primary and announced his running mate will be Phillip Parrish, a fellow Republican candidate for governor this cycle. Lindell said in his announcement that by having Parrish join his ticket, “the two best gubernatorial candidates are joining forces.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4uUnBEz
ICYMI: Premium subscribers can access MNsider briefs covering even more details from the state conventions this weekend. SAT: https://fluence-media.co/49sOqHs SUN: https://fluence-media.co/4uCDEql
GRAND OLD DAY: Flint Hills Resources is thrilled to be this year’s sponsor of the Grand Old Day parade. Flint Hills employees, families and friends will be showing their Saint Paul pride as they hand out giveaways alongside one of the Pine Bend refinery’s fire trucks. New this year, Flint Hills Resources engineers will demonstrate how science is really fun (and tasty) at the Future Innovators Zone. Kids can learn how to make their very own ice cream at home. Be sure to stop by on June 7! LEARN MORE: Grand Old Day (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
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EXPECT: Via MPR, a list of some things to watch for as Minnesota’s primary season heats up. VERBATIM: “In either Republican Party race, [Pres. Donald Trump’s] endorsement carries huge stakes. In a primary, it could be even more powerful than the party endorsement. But it also could be a liability in the general election given the mood of the electorate and the president’s low approval ratings. … For Democrats, the immigration issue remains a point of campaign friction, and incidence of fraud is also something to keep an eye on as more reports and criminal charges emerge.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x1Xe0Z
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As we shift into primary mode, expect the candidates to do less persuading at local party events and run what looks like a more traditional campaign. [Angie] Craig held roundtables over the weekend, while [Peggy] Flanagan plans to hit the road and start campaigning with the whole slate of DFL-endorsed candidates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dVw6I3
LEGISLATORS STEPPED UP FOR HCMC, BUT MORE SUPPORT IS NEEDED FOR RURAL HOSPITALS: Savings from the 340B drug program help local hospitals sustain access to cancer treatment, specialty services, and technology investments in rural communities. While drug companies continue to raise prices and rake in profits, rural hospitals will be forced to stretch limited resources even further if legislators don’t step up to strengthen the 340B program. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4v5Qo8Q (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
FLANAGAN: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan scratched out her signature on the proper forms, plunked down an endorsed check for $400 to cover filing fees, and officially became a candidate for the U.S. Senate on Monday. … Flanagan was joined by a number of supporters Monday morning, the group chanting her name.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vkjLUZ
SD7: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Longtime Hibbing School Board member Kim McLaughlin is running for Minnesota state senate. McLaughlin, a Chisholm native, filed to run [as a DFLer] in the race for District 7. … McLaughlin previously ran for the District 7 seat as a write-in candidate in 2022. The seat went to Republican Sen. Rob Farnsworth. Farnsworth has also filed to run again.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uEObkU
CLEAN | RELIABLE | AFFORDABLE: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “We’re powering the Upper Midwest with clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, our Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, located near Red Wing, MN, has been a workhorse of reliable, carbon-free energy. With two pressurized water reactors producing about 1,100 megawatts, Prairie Island generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes across the Upper Midwest. Unlike sources that depend on weather, nuclear energy delivers 24/7 reliability — providing the power we need today while protecting the environment for tomorrow.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oCHdK9 (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
STATE GOV…
MEDICAID: via Fox 9, The Brief:
Thousands of Minnesota Medicaid providers may have lost funding after a rushed state review deadline Sunday.
· Many providers say they submitted paperwork but were still cut off and are now appealing.
· The state has not provided updated information or interviews about the situatio
The review was triggered when the federal government withheld $2 billion in Medicaid funding to Minnesota over fraud concerns. The state was forced to quickly check about 5,500 providers in 13 high-risk programs in just five months—a process that usually takes most states two years. As of last Wednesday, only about 1,000 providers had passed…FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard tried to get answers from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, but the agency declined interviews and did not provide updated data about the review process. READ: https://fluence-media.co/43Hs9C9
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Data shows just over 1,000 providers have been approved, and just over 1,000 have been disenrolled from federal funding. The questions now center on the more than 3,300 providers still listed as pending. The state says those providers are either in screening, need additional review, or have not replied to the state.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fS1f1I
TAXES: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Small businesses across the state will see relief after lawmakers voted to restore and extend Minnesota’s pass-through entity tax election through 2027. The PTE tax option was originally enacted in 2021. … After it expired Dec. 31, 2025, small businesses that had previously opted in saw their federal tax burden increase. … In 2024, about $2.05 billion in pass-through entity tax credits were claimed on 66,300 returns, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. A similar number of returns is expected in tax year 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dS0xjX
FIREFIGHTERS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota has a firefighter shortage problem, and it could end up costing you more money. Fire chiefs across the state say they’re struggling to fill empty slots, whether it’s a full-time unit or a volunteer department. … Minnesota has the second highest number of volunteer firefighters in the country, with anywhere from 90% to 97% being volunteers in any given year. … Taxpayers here are paying less than half the national average for fire protection because of so many volunteer firefighters, [leading to] the possibility of raising taxes to provide more fire coverage.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RKzTRc
IMMIGRATION
LEGAL FEES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A federal judge has ordered the government to pay $15,800.17 in attorney’s fees for a man who says ICE agents fractured his skull when they arrested him earlier this year. … Judge Donovan Frank said the circumstances in this case warranted compensation for legal fees.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vhs43P
SURGE: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced appointments to the Governor’s Council on Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS on Minnesotans. … The Council will gather testimony, data, and firsthand accounts to ensure people’s experiences are documented, preserved, and heard. The Council will also develop recommendations to help prevent future harm and support the state’s long-term recovery. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and The Advocates for Human Rights each appoint one member.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aocknE
MORE: Notable members of the governor’s new council addressing Operation Metro Surge include former Judge Peter A. Cahill, who presided over Derek Chauvin’s trial; former Eagan Police Chief Roger New; and Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4aocknE
ASYLUM: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s federal immigration court has rejected asylum applications in record numbers since President Donald Trump returned to office, new data shows. … The Fort Snelling Immigration Court has resolved nearly as many asylum cases since Trump’s reelection (~7,500) as during the entire Biden Administration (~8,500). Under [Joe] Biden, the court granted asylum in around 13% of cases, [but] since 2025, the court’s approval rate has dropped to under 2%. … Nearly 2,200 asylum-seekers have abandoned their claims since Trump’s reelection, compared with the roughly 900 who did so during Biden’s four years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43GCUEN
ACROSS MN
WOODBURY: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Embattled former DFL state Sen. Nicole Mitchell appears to be taking steps toward another run for office [after] the Woodbury Democrat resigned following her conviction. … A disclosure on NicoleMitchell.org now reads ‘Prepared and paid for by Nicole Mitchell for Woodbury City Council.’ That quiet update, along with a series of recent photos and appearances, is fueling speculation. … Filing for Woodbury City Council races opens in July.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o2KUcN
MPD: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The resignation of Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara last week comes at a time when the city is deep into a yearslong effort to reform the [MPD]. … Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said there’s been some progress by the city. But some of the same issues her agency outlined when their findings were announced four years ago continue to be a problem, especially regarding leadership.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RGZlXP
ELY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Firefighters and aircraft are responding to a wildfire in the Superior National Forest 8 miles northwest of Ely on Monday evening, according to St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay. Called the Birch Bay fire, it has covered about 25 acres. Evacuation orders are in place. … Several crews are on the scene, including emergency officials from Ely, Babbitt, the Forest Service, Morse-Fall Lake and DNR Eagles Nest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4udyU9I
HOPKINS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Students at three Hopkins Public Schools were placed in a ‘secure hold’ Monday before administrators announced classes would wrap up for some at 2 p.m. due to a ‘potential threat.’ … Admins confirmed all students and staff were safe at the time of release, and the district was actively working with local law enforcement to investigate.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ffjdeq
GLOBAL TRADE BOLSTERS AG ECONOMIES: via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota’s exports of corn, ethanol, corn-fed meat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) alone support over 11,500 jobs and add billions to the state’s economy. They also help ensure that consumers around the world have access to affordable protein and dairy products. In May, during World Trade Month, Minnesota Corn celebrates that important role trade plays in all our lives — in the U.S. and abroad.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
LOOKING AHEAD
FRIDAY: Via Minneapolis Fed, Regional Outreach Director Erick Garcia Luna will host a webinar discussing results from the spring survey of construction firms across the Ninth District. The event is at 9:00 a.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4wFjTjv
FRIDAY: Advocates with the GFS Community Visioning Council will hold a press conference calling on the City of Minneapolis to stop construction at George Floyd Square until they have addressed “community concerns,” per a release. The event is at 1:00 p.m.
FRIDAY: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will speak at the DFL’s annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner in Minneapolis on Friday, June 5. The event is at 6:00 p.m.
NEXT WEEK: Attorney General Keith Ellison is hosting a community forum on the proposed acquisition of North Memorial Health by Sanford Health. The event is in Robbinsdale on Monday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m.
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BDAYS: Minnesota legend Lou Nanne, Blaine Mayor Tim Sanders, Republican activist Dave Hughes, MNCUN’s Mara Humphrey, Explore MN’s Lyndsey Hanson
SPEAKER: If you’re looking for a speaker about the “Signal vs. Noise” dynamic of today’s politics and the 2026 election. EMAIL: BloisOlson@gmail.com.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.