Recent content from Sydney Kashiwagi
What's behind recent sparring between Emmer, Walz?
Back-and-forth could be new norm for Walz in second Trump administration.
What does Minnesota's congressional delegation think about Trump's first weeks in office? We asked.
From DEI to Elon Musk to border security, the state's federal lawmakers give their opinions.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith won't seek re-election in 2026
Smith cites wanting to spend more time with family as the reason for her decision.
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber reintroduces bill that would open copper nickel mining near Boundary Waters
Sen. Tina Smith plans to oppose the legislation if it reaches the Senate.
Some Minnesota Dems say contest is needed, not coronation, in search for new DFL chair
Gov. Tim Walz has made his endorsement in the race, but outgoing DFL Chair Ken Martin will stay out of it.
Minnesota DFL's Ken Martin elected national Democratic Party chair on first ballot
Party insiders had said Martin was the favorite of the three leading candidates in the race.
Gov. Tim Walz endorses Richard Carlbom as next DFL Party chair
The state party will be electing a new chair to succeed Ken Martin, who was chosen to lead the Democratic National Committee.
A battle between Midwesterners: Minnesota's Ken Martin takes the lead in DNC race
The three leading candidates have been battling over endorsements from the small pool of 448 Democratic National Committee voting members.
What could happen in Minnesota under a Trump federal funding freeze
By Wednesday afternoon, the Trump administration issued a one-page memo saying it was dropping plans for the funding pause for now.
Senate to vote on Minnesota native Pete Hegseth's confirmation as soon as Friday night
Minnesota Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar plan to oppose confirmation.
Omar reintroduces Neighbors not Enemies Act as Trump ramps up deportation efforts
The Minnesota Democrat's bill is unlikely to advance in the new Congress but her efforts were largely symbolic as deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Stauber's Lake Winnibigoshish land exchange bill passes U.S. House
It's the first bill from a member of Minnesota's congressional delegation to pass the new Congress.
Klobuchar speaks at Trump's inauguration, said leaders become "guardians of our country"
While the Minnesota Democrat didn't vote for Trump, she called his inauguration to order as chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
'Not allowed and didn't belong': Trial for accused MN father-son Capitol insurrectionists begins
At least one of the Jan. 6 defendants plans to testify, his attorney said.
Minnesota politicians weigh in on Laken Riley Act, as Mary Moriarty blasts the bill as xenophobic
The Hennepin County Attorney calls the legislation a targeted attack on "noncitizens" masked as criminal justice. U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer says it's common-sense legislation aimed at "criminal illegal immigrants."
Pete Hegseth casts himself as change agent in defense secretary confirmation hearing
"He is the real deal," former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman said, but Minnesota native Hegseth faced tough questions from Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Amtrak's Borealis route gets $38M federal funding boost to ensure service for next six years
The funding for the route, which goes between St. Paul and Chicago, was secured by U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum.
Two Minnesotans in Congress will lead Democrats in farm policy
Sen. Klobuchar was long expected to reign atop her party's farm state voices in the Senate. But when Rep. Angie Craig, the suburban Democrat, mounted a campaign to capture her chamber's ranking-member spot on the Agriculture Committee, Minnesota voters gained rare congressional leverage.
Senate Democrats struggle to meet with Hegseth ahead of confirmation hearing
But an aide close to Hegseth disputes Democrats' claims, arguing that the defense secretary nominee and Minnesota native has tried to meet with Democrats ahead of the hearing.
Minnesota's congressional delegation gathers to certify Trump's 2024 victory
Heavy snow and security did not stop lawmakers from ensuring a peaceful transfer of power Monday.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar lays out heightened Capitol security ahead of Jan. 6 and inauguration
The senior senator says Capitol Hill is more equipped to handle threats than it was on Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters stormed in.
Biden signs Sen. Amy Klobuchar's bipartisan bill to prevent hazing on college campuses
The bill was prompted by the story of a Minnesota student and co-led by Klobuchar.
Could Tom Emmer emerge as 2nd contender for House speaker?
Mike Johnson can only risk losing one Republican vote to get re-elected to the role.
USDA sends $44M in funding to Minnesota to increase broadband in rural areas
The funding is expected to give more than 5,000 Minnesotans, especially in rural areas, high-speed broadband access across the state and help at least 139 businesses and 368 farms.
Can Norm Coleman get defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth over the finish line?
Minnesota's last Republican senator has been shepherding Hegseth, Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, through Capitol Hill.
Will Minnesota Democrats attend Trump's inauguration?
At least one will not attend, another leads the inaugural committee and some are still on the fence. Minnesota's GOP members will be there.
![A bald eagle lifts from it's perch along the Mississippi River near Wabasha, home of the National Eagle Center. ] Minnesota State of Wonders travel Pr](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/DYCAN2LLYG36UFIB76X63K5LOE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota-backed bipartisan bill designating bald eagle as national bird on its way to Biden's desk
Sen. Amy Klobuchar carried the legislation in the Senate with Sen. Tina Smith, and Reps. Brad Finstad and Angie Craig introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House.
Angie Craig wins approval of panel to serve as ranking Democrat on House Agriculture Committee
The full House caucus is set to cast a final vote Tuesday. Craig's strong support gives her an edge in the three-way race.
Republican delegates decide Saturday who will lead the state party
Current GOP Chairman David Hann says this will likely be his last run for chair and that he's ready to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership.
Tina Smith looks to 2026 re-election bid as she departs DSCC vice chair role
Asked whether she's fully committed to running for re-election, the Minnesota Democrat said, "that's my plan."
Members say Angie Craig is strong contender to be top Dem on House Ag
The Minnesota Democrat aims for the ranking member post in the next Congress, but some are sticking by Democrats' current leader.
Rep. Ilhan Omar re-elected deputy chair of Congressional Progressive Caucus
The Minnesota Democrat said the caucus is gearing up to resist President-elect Donald Trump but thinks they should meet with him if the opportunity exists.
Hegseth says Trump is fully behind him despite rocky start to confirmation
President-elect Donald Trump looks to be having second thoughts about naming Minnesota native Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and may turn to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the role, according to multiple reports.
Amy Klobuchar elevated to No. 3 Senate Democrat spot
Minnesota's senior senator will serve as Senate Democrats' chair of Steering and Policy with a likely focus on economic issues.
Rep. Ilhan Omar says Harris-Walz tapping Liz Cheney was 'huge misstep'
The war in Gaza forced her to condemn both the White House and the Democratic ticket for its handling of the conflict, while rooting for them to win. But in the end, was it worth it?
Two Minnesota lawmakers set to play a role in Matt Gaetz's nomination
GOP Rep. Michelle Fischbach could determine whether a potentially damaging report is to be released. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar will decide if he should be confirmed by the full Senate.
Forest Lake native Pete Hegseth faces new scrutiny, support as Trump defense nominee
Forest Lake classmates remember Pete Hegseth as a talented student-athlete, but some Minnesota retired military members and lawmakers question his political experience.
Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin running for Democratic National Committee top job
Martin announced his bid Tuesday in a video posted on X. He's the second person to enter the race, after former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley.
Emmer unanimously re-elected as No. 3 Republican in the House
Minnesota U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer says he is fine staying put in the House and is not aiming for a Trump Cabinet post.
Kelly Morrison, Minnesota's newest member of Congress, heads to D.C.
Morrison said she is ready to work across the aisle and as a physician, she sees a role in educating lawmakers about abortion.
Five Minnesota congressional election takeaways
Angie Craig notches her biggest win, Tom Emmer cements ties with Trump, Amy Klobuchar wins by her smallest margin.
In a rematch, GOP House Majority Whip Tom Emmer defeats Democrat Jeanne Hendricks
Emmer defeated Hendricks by more than 24 percentage points two years ago in the Sixth Congressional District.
Former state Sen. Kelly Morrison defeats Tad Jude for Minnesota's only open congressional seat
Dean Phillips' short-lived run for president created a vacancy in the suburban Third Congressional District.
Shadow group's ad backs third-party candidate who dropped out of Minnesota Second District race
The group boosting Thomas Bowman, who suspended his campaign and endorsed Republican Joe Teirab, supports Democrats across the country.
These Minnesotans spent big to influence the presidential race
A look at the top Minnesota donors to the political groups supporting Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.
Gov. Tim Walz's swing-state appeal is put to the test in western Wisconsin
Democrats hope Walz, a former red-district congressman, can boost their appeal in rural America. Western Wisconsin could be the ideal testing ground for this hypothesis.
Is Minnesota's most competitive House seat a swing district or is it trending blue?
Close races in the Second Congressional District indicate the seat could remain purple for the foreseeable future.
Klobuchar to play key role on Jan. 6 amid questions over whether Trump, Vance will accept results
Minnesota's senior senator is also chairing the bipartisan Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies that will oversee planning for inauguration day.
Fact check: Walz and Vance made questionable claims during only VP debate
Here are some facts on abortion, health care, immigration and other topics Minnesota's Democratic governor and Ohio's Republican senator focused on during the Tuesday night debate.
Omar, Smith want to end stigma for students who can't pay for school meals
The Minnesota lawmakers re-introduced legislation that would prevent schools from taking action against students that could be seen as shaming them for not being able to afford school meals.
Minnesota 2024 voter guide: Who's running, where they stand on the issues
Early voting begins today in Minnesota. We ask major party candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress about issues ranging from the economy to immigration.
National Uncommitted Movement and Uncommitted Minnesota refuse to endorse Harris-Walz
The national pro-Palestinian movement expressed optimism about Tim Walz, but back home in Minnesota the group was more critical of his dealings with Palestinian Americans.
Minnesotans join Smith, AOC in unveiling affordable housing bill
Minnesota housing advocates say the bill could help generate more affordable housing across the state.
House Republicans suspicious of Walz's time in China as they target Beijing as chief adversary
Walz taught English there and was one of the first government-sanctioned U.S. educators during a period when both countries were on friendly terms.
Democratic excitement, Minnesota pride on display at State Fair
Some voters and Democratic lawmakers said that they are pleased with the new White House ticket. Others flocked to the "Never Walz" booth.
State GOP stresses support for Joe Teirab after local party delays endorsement vote
Second Congressional District Republicans were set to decide Tuesday whether to formally back Teirab after he won the GOP primary, but pushed back the vote.
Second District Republicans to decide whether to back Joe Teirab after primary win
Teirab is running in one of this cycle's most closely watched House races, but so far he's been doing it without the local party's backing.
U.S. House speaker hits Walz's response to George Floyd riots outside former 3rd police precinct
House Speaker Mike Johnson previewed GOP lines of attack against Gov. Tim Walz during his stop in Minnesota to campaign for Republican Joe Teirab.
House GOP probes Walz's ties to China for 'possible CCP influence'
Gov. Tim Walz has been a vocal critic of China's human rights abuses but his longstanding relationship with the country has opened him up to GOP criticism.
A chameleon or pragmatist? Walz's political evolution in the spotlight in VP race
Opponents describe him as a political opportunist, but those who know him say he's pragmatic and knows how to evolve to the constituency he serves to meet the time.
Royce White wins GOP Senate primary to face off against Amy Klobuchar in November
Despite his win over Joe Fraser, he will likely face an uphill climb against Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is seeking her fourth term.
Joe Teirab wins in competitive Second District GOP primary
Teirab defeated Tayler Rahm, the endorsed Republican candidate who quit the race to work for Donald Trump.
GOP primary in Minnesota's Second Congressional District marked by confusion, intraparty feuding
A shadow primary continues even after Tayler Rahm has suspended his campaign for the competitive seat held by U.S. Rep. Angie Craig.
Klobuchar, White and Fraser take the stage at Farmfest
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and GOP candidate Joe Fraser stuck to policy, while endorsed Republican candidate Royce White tried to move the discussion to his "MAGA extremist" credentials.
Harris highlights Walz as teacher, coach as they take the stage as a ticket in Philly
Democratic president candidate Kamala Harris focused on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's everyman qualities and accomplishments as governor, saying it will help him reach the middle class.
Gov. Tim Walz appears at Minneapolis fundraiser for Kamala Harris ahead of her vice president announcement
The governor reportedly flew to Washington over the weekend for final interviews for vice president candidates.
