ALMANAC ALMA ALMANAC.

>> GOVERNOR ELECT AMY KLOBUCHAR JOINS US LIVE FOR HER FIRST SIT OWN TV INTERVIEW.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS REFLECT 3 ON THE FUTURE OF THEIR PARTY.

THE DFL CHAIR WILL BE HEAR TO TALK ABOUT HIS PARTY'S WINNING STRATEGY.

WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT PLUS MARY LAHAMMER TAKES US TO ELECTION NIGHT AND BEYOND.

>> DEMOCRATS DELIGHTED IN THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL RESULTS ON ELECTION NIGHT.

WE'LL COVER WHAT'S AHEAD.

>> IT IS TIME TO MOVE THIS STATE FORWARD.

WHEN YOU COME FOR ONE OF US, YOU COME FOR ALL OF US.

>> THE LARGEST DFL MAJORITY SINCE THE OBAMA ERA.

>> THAT'S COMING UPON "ALMANAC."

♪ ALMANAC IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION AND SUPPORT IS BROUGHT BY GREAT RIVER ENERGY.

PROVIDING POWER THROUGH IT'S MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION PROVIDING ORAL 3 HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTA DENTAL MN, EDUCATION MINSZ, THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON.

SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE STATEWIDE.

WELCOME TO A POST-ELECTION EDITION OF ALMANAC... I'M GLAD TO BE BACK THIS WEEK -- MARY LAHAMMER'S FILLING IN FOR CATHY.

WE ARE PACKED WITH POLITICS TONIGHT SO LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN AND WELCOME GOVERNOR-ELECT AMY KLOBUCHAR BACK TO THE SHOW... THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS, ERIC, THANKS MARY.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

ERIC: I'M WATCHING YOUR INTERVIEW AND THE FIRST TEN MINUTES COULD HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT'S NOT QUITE TRUE.

I'M NOT SURE THEY WILL AGREE WITH EVERYTHING I'M GOING TO DO BUT I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING PEOPLE WITH US RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH, YOU JOKE ABOUT THE NEGATIVE AD SHOWS, PEOPLE WANT TO THE MOVE ON FROM DIVIDES.

WE HAD A CATACLYSMIC EVENT HAPPEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

PEOPLE SAYING WE'RE TIRED OF THE CONSTRUCTION, COST, AND OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

THAT CAMS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO TEXAS TO KANSAS TO IOWA AND RIGHT HERE TO MINNESOTA.

BUT I HAVE A DIFFERENT JOB.

AND THAT IS THAT PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA, WHILE THEY'RE SICK OF TRUMP AND DON'T WANT TO RUBBER STAMP TRUMP, THEY WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD, NOT LEFT OR RIGHT.

THEY WANT A STATE GOVERNMENT WORTHY OF THEIR DRIVE AND AMBITION.

THEY'RE MAD ABOUT THE FRAUD.

THEY WANT US TO ROOT OUT THE FRAUD, CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE, AND ACTUAL GROW TO THE FOCUS, WHICH I THINK ON A GROWTH AGENDA, K THROUGH 12 ACHIEVEMENT UP, AND SOME PRETTY BASIC THINGS.

SO, THAT'S ALL I TALKED ABOUT AND I ALSO SAID PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME, I'M GOING TO BE REPRESENTING YOU AS WELL.

SO, IT WAS KIND OF A -- IT WASN'T REALLY OFF TRACK FOR WHERE I THINK THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA ARE.

>> DO YOU HAVE A MANDATE TO CLEAN OUT?

DO YOU EXPECT TO KEEP ANY COMMISSIONERS?

A BIRDIE TELLS ME MAYBE TOMMY PETERSON IS STICKING AROUND.

>> I THINK EVERYONE CAN APPLY FOR THESE JOBS, WE'RE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BRING IN A NEW TEAM AND I SAID THAT FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> NO HOLD OVERS.

>> PEOPLE CAN APPLY, SO MAYBE -- >> SO NOT A YES OR NO.

WHAT ABOUT ANYONE FROM THE TRANSITION TEAM?

ANY CANDIDATES ON THAT LIST?

>> I LOVE OUR TRANSITION TEAM.

IT REALLY REPRESENTS ALL OF MINNESOTA.

A NUMBER OF THEM ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS, HONESTLY.

AND SO I'M THINKING SOME OF THEM ARE HELPING OUT FOR THIS TIME PERIOD AND WE'LL SEE IF ANY OF THEM WILL WANT TO STAY INVOLVED AFTER THAT.

BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GET ADVICE FROM A NUMBER OF EOPLE ABOUT PUTTING IN THIS NEW TEAM RIGHT NOW ERIC: A STOP TO BOTTOM AUDIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT, WILL THE RESULTS BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST BUDGET OR THE 2028 SESSION.

>> THAT IS A ROLLING TOP TO BOTTOM AUDIT STARTING OF COURSE ON DAY ONE AND HAT IS ABOUT ROOTING OUT FRAUD AND POTENTIAL FOR FRAUD.

BUT IT IS ALSO ABOUT FINDING THINGS THAT AREN'T WORKING AND EITHER FIXING THEM OR GETTING RID OF THEM.

ERIC: THEY LL HAVE CONSTITUENCIES AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE HARD TO GIVE UP.

>> I'M WELL AWARE.

AS SAID N ELECTION NIGHT, I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY AND I BROUGHT IN MODERATES, INDEPENDENTS, THE HIGHEST MARGIN SINCE ERNIE CARLSON.

I SAID TO THAT ROOM OF DEMOCRATS, I SAID SPOILER ALERT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LIKE EVERYTHING THAT I DO.

I'M GOING TO LOOK OUT FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

AND HAT MEANS MAKING SURE THAT WE BRING DOWN COSTS AND TAKING ON HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS, AND BUILDING MORE HOUSING AND I'VE ALREADY TALKED TO OUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, OF COURSE, EVERYONE MURPHY, AND ZACH STEPHENSON WHO HAVE HAD A LOT OF WORK AND THEY'RE COMING IN OFF OF VICTORIES ON ELECTION NIGHT AND THEY HAVE SOME OF THEIR OWN IDEAS.

I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO HARRY NISKA.

I ALSO TALKED TO OUR NEW LEADER, LEADER RASMUSSON, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO GET EVERYONE'S IDEAS AND BRING EVERYONE WITH US.

>> I KNOW YOU REACHED OUT EVEN BEYOND THAT TO MORE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, ARE YOU ANTICIPATING YOU'RE GOING TO NEED THEIR HELP WITH ALL OF THE PROGRESSIVES COMING IN, MIGHT YOU NEED THEIR HELP US SPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO A BUDGET?

THIS IS FAST YOU HAVE TO GET THAT BUDGET TOGETHER AND GET IT PASSED.

>> WE HAVE TO GET THE BUDGET NUMBERS, OF COURSE.

>> BUT THERE'S A BIG APPETITE FOR TAX INCREASES AND YOU'VE BEEN VERY DIRECT THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT MIGHT YOU NEED REPUBLICAN VOTES TO GET YOUR BUDGET THROUGH.

>> THIS IS WAY AHEAD OF US HERE.

I HAVE VERY GOOD MEETINGS WITH LEADER EVERYONE MURPHY AND WITH ZACH STEPHENSON, AND THEY KNOW WHERE I'M COMING FROM.

I HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TOWN ACCURACY TAXES.

AND THAT'S -- >> BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE PREPARED TO WORK WITH REPUBLICANS IF YOU NEED T.

>> LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO AS DEMOCRATS WORKING WITH REPUBLICANS.

IF YOU LOOK AT MY PLANS, AT THE END OF EVERY SINGLE PLAN THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF BILLS.

SOME DEMOCRATIC, A LOT BIPARTISAN, AND THAT'S ON THE HOUSING PLAN, CONSERVATION, MAKING SURE WE HAVE A PATH FORWARD ON THE LEGACY AMENDMENT.

ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT TO MINNESOTA RIGHT NOW AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME THINGS THAT ARE DEMOCRATIC.

THE GUN SAFETY BILL, MAYBE WE'LL GET REPUBLICAN VOTES, I WOULD OVE THAT, THEN THERE WILL BE OTHER THINGS HAT I THINK WILL BE STRONGLY BIPARTISAN.

>> NO NEW STATE TAXES IS ONE OF YOUR PLEDGES.

NOW YOU DO KNOW THAT THE TWO CHAIRS OF TAXES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE PRETTY MUCH VERY ENTRENCHED LIBERAL PROGRESSIVE LAWMAKERS.

>> I DO.

>> ARE WE HEADING FOR A SHOWDOWN?

>> I REALLY THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT THIS GROWTH AGENDA, IT'S REALLY ABOUT LOOKING AT THE AGENCIES AND FIGURING OUT HOW CAN E SAVE MONEY IN CERTAIN WAYS.

I ALSO THINK THAT WHILE WE HAVE BEEN LAGGING IN GROWTH IN MINNESOTA FOR THE LAST DECADE, I THINK THAT WE HAVE BEEN AT LIKE 1.6% PER YEAR NATIONAL AVERAGE 2.4.

THIS YEAR NOW IT'S THE FIRST TWO QUARTERS BUT WE CAME IN AT 3 WHICH WAS NUMBER IX IN THE COUNTRY.

I'M NOT ROSY ABOUT THE FORECAST HERE IF WE DON'T MAKE SOME CHANGES AND WHICH WE HAVE TO DO SO WE CAN EXPAND 3 BUSINESS AND BRING MORE BUSINESSES IN, BUT WE MAY BE IN A BETTER PLACE THAN WE THOUGHT WE WERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF GROUND WORK AND TALKING TO BUSINESSES NOT JUST SINCE YOU WERE ELECTED BUT WEEKS AND MONTHS.

PAID FAMILY LEAVE IS A HUGE CONCERN.

ARE YOU OPEN TO MAKING SOME CHANGES AND SOME REFORMS ON THAT.

>> I WAS REALLY CLEAR ABOUT THIS AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DEBATE A MONTH AGO.

I MY POINT IS THIS IS A VERY GOOD IDEA.

I'M GLAD MINNESOTA DID IT.

IF YOU ARE RAISING A FAMILY YOU SHOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE LEAVE -- >> BUSINESSES SAY IT'S HURTING.

>> WHAT I SAID THERE I MEAN.

IT HAS TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, IT HAS TO WORK, AND WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT A NUMBER OF THINGS THE CHAMBER HAS TALKED ABOUT.

OBVIOUSLY MAKING IT FRAUD PROOF, BUT YOU HAVE SHIFTS, PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO FILL IN, THERE HAS TO BE TRAINING.

SO, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO LOOKING AT THAT PROGRAM WHEN I GET IN TO SEE IF THERE IS IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE CAN MAKE.

IT HAS ONLY BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR A YEAR.

THAT'S A TIME WHEN YOU STEP BACK AND YOU LOOK AT IT.

>> YOU'RE ATTEMPTING A CULTURE CHANGE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> YES.

>> YOU MUST KNOW HOW HARD THAT'S GOING TO BE.

>> I'M WELL AWARE.

>> HOW WILL YOU NAVIGATE THE SPECIAL INTERESTS, THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS, THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOOD IN CONCEPT, BUT WHEN YOU WORK THROUGH IT'S GOING TO GENERATE A LOT OF DUST, ISN'T IT?

>> I'M SOMEONE THAT, ONE, LIKES TO TAKE ON THE STATUS QUO WHEN IT'S GOOD FOR MINNESOTA.

BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE TO WORK WITH.

I HAVE BEEN NUMBER ONE FOR BIPARTISAN BILLS IN THE U.S.

SENATE.

NUMBER 3 OR GETTING BILLS PASSED INTO LAW.

I WORK WITH PEOPLE LIKE TED CRUZ, JOSH HOLLY, I WORKED WITH ERNIE SANDERS, I WORKED WITH ELIZABETH WARREN.

IF YOU ASKED THEM THEY'RE SUPPORTIVE OF A YOU REMEMBER 3 IN OF THINGS I'VE DONE.

I GET HOW HARD IT IS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THIS ISN'T THE MOMENT.

IT IS THE MOMENT TO STEP BACK AND SAY OKAY, WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER HERE?

THIS ISN'T ALWAYS ABOUT MINNESOTA HAS THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.

WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.

PENNSYLVANIA, FOR CERTAIN PERMITS, YOU MAKE A DECISION AT A TIME PERIOD AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER UP OR DOWN YOU GET YOUR MONEY BACK LIKE DOMINOS.

ONE SMALL THING THAT I PROPOSED THAT'S KIND OF FUN IS IN MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES, WHEN SIXTH GRADERS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YEAR IT IS, BUT WHEN THEY LEARN MINNESOTA HISTORY IN MINNESOTA, IT'S SIXTH GRADE.

VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

GIVE THEM A FREE PASS TO OUR PARKS AND MUSEUMS WITH FAMILIES SO THEY CAN LOVE THE MINNESOTA THAT WE LOVE.

THERE'S SO MANY IDEAS CHALK FULL ANY MY PLANS, THEY DON'T COST MUCH, SOME ARE REFORMS.

BRINGING DOWN PREMIUMS.

IF THEY DON'T CHANGE THAT TAX CREDIT ON THE INDIVIDUAL MARKET I'M GOING TO DO IT IN MINNESOTA AND I THINK THE CHANGE IN CONGRESS WILL HELP US AS WELL.

>> YOU ROAD IN A LIMB MOE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> AND PRESIDENT BIDEN.

>> YOU WERE THE HEAD OF THE SENATE RECEPTION COMMITTEE.

>> I WAS THE HEAD OF THE RULES COMMITTEE WHICH MEANT THAT I CHAIRED THAT INAUGURAL NO MATTER WHO WON.

AND O I SPENT A LOT OF TIME THAT DAY WITH VARIOUS LEADERS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BUT I DID SPEND 20 MINUTES IN THE CAR WITH THEM.

I WILL TELL YOU I USE MY MOMENTS WELL.

AT THE LUNCH I TALKED ABOUT THE "TAKE IT DOWN ACT" THE ONLY AI BILL THAT HAS SINCE PASSED BECAUSE OF THAT MOMENT I HAD WITH THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY AT THAT LUNCH.

I ALSO SAID OMETHING THAT I THINK IS REALLY RELEVANT FOR THE BIGGER PICTURE OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED THIS WEEK.

I HAD MY FOUR MINUTES AND I SAID THAT THE POWER IN THAT ROTUNDA, THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT AND ALL OF THE ELECT PRESIDENT AND ALL OF THE ELE ELECTIVES HAD DID NOT COME FROM THE TECH BROS STANDING BEHIND US.

I DIDN'T USE THAT WORD, BUT I SAID IT DIDN'T COME FROM WITHIN THE ROTUNDA.

THE POWER CAME FROM OUTSIDE.

WE HAVE OUR INAUGURATIONS AT THE CAPITOL, THE PEOPLE'S HOTS AND NOT A GUILDED PALACE.

THAT OUR DEMOCRACY WAS A SHELTER FROM THE STORM.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

SO, WHILE I AM SO EXCITED TO GET TO WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATURE AND DO ALL OF THIS WORK IN MINNESOTA, WHICH IS WHY I RAN FOR THIS JOB, I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR EVENT, WHAT HAPPENED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AMERICA STOOD UP AND SAID NO, ENOUGH.

PATRIOTS STOOD UP.

PEOPLE WHO WERE REPUBLICANS, PEOPLE WHO WERE INDEPENDENTS, AND THEY'RE SICK AND TIRED OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS DOING RIGHT NOW.

SO, THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE ELEMENT.

WE WANT A GOVERNOR THAT CAN STAND UP AND WE KNOW THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA WANT US TO GET STUFF DONE AND I'M ALL ABOUT RESULTS AND NOT EXCUSES.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING, BRIAN McCLUNG WHO DID COMMUNICATIONS FOR GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY, AND HE SAID AMY KLOBUCHAR REMINDS OF TIM PAWLENTY, HOW DOE YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT COMPARISON?

>> I KNOW TIM QUITE WELL, I APPRECIATE THE WORK, HE IS WORKING WITH SOLAR RIGHT NOW AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOME MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN RENEWABLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HE IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

AND I THINK I WAS READING HE WROTE A PIECE FOR THE STRIBE, AND I THOUGHT HIS 5D VICE WAS SPECIFIC YOU HAVE TO BE READY FOR CRISIS.

THINGS THAT YOU DON'T EXPECT TO HAPPEN AS GOVERNOR WILL HAPPEN.

MANAGEMENT, A TEAM, GETTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN PLACE, UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU CAN SAY ALL YOU WANT IN DEBATES AND CAMPAIGN BUT WHAT MATTERS IS GETTING RESULTS.

I'M SURE I HAVE TALKED TO HIM BEFORE, I GOT ELECTED THIS WEEK, AND I WILL TALK TO HIM IN THE FUTURE AS WELL AS THE OTHER GOVERNORS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ME.

>> APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY AT THE END OF A BUSY WEEK.

>> I WANT TO THE GET ONE MORE QUESTION.

WE CAN'T LET YOU GO WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE SENATE PICK.

I KNOW YOU DON'T -- >> WHY DID I -- >> WE GAVE YOU AN OUT.

>> IT'S A TIMING QUESTION.

YOU KNOW HOW MUCH SENIORITY MATTERS IN WASHINGTON DC.

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT YOU WORK WITH GOVERN WALZ TO TRY TO GET SENIORITY FOR YOUR REPLACEMENT AND HIM APPOINT?

>> INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THEY CHANGED SOME OF THESE RULES.

I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE BORING NATURE OF IT BUT WHAT MATTERS IS HAVING SOMEONE IN PLACE ON THE SWEARING IN DAY.

WE CHECKED INTO SOME OF THIS.

SO, THAT IS WHAT WILL DETERMINE WHAT HATCHES AND I'M GOING TO FINISH MY LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS AND I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT I PICK SOMEONE FOR THIS INTERIM SEAT THAT WILL MAKE MINNESOTA PROUD AND WILL DO THE JOB WELL AND IS QUALIFIED.

>> QUICKLY THAT MEANS YOU WILL NOT RESIGN EARLY THEN FOR THAT APPOINTMENT.

>> THAT'S NOT IN THE CARDS RIGHT NOW, IT COULD BE A MATTER OF DAYS OR WHATEVER IT IS TO MAKE IT WORK, BECAUSE THE SENATE SWEARING IN IS ON JAN 3rd, AND THE GOVERNOR SWEARING IN IS ON JANUARY 4th.

>> BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪ THERE WERE A NUMBER OF INTERESTING ELECTION HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

THE BALLOT IN HERMANTOWN.

TWO NEWCOMERS TO THE CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGNED ON FRUSTRATION OVER A A PROPOSED FACILITY OUR KAOMI LEE HAS REPORTED ON.

CONGRESSMAN BRAD FINSTAD SAYS HE'LL LET THE RECOUNT PROCESS PROCEED -- FOLLOWING HIS 323 VOTE LOSS TO DEMOCRAT JAKE JOHNSON.

THE MARGIN IS SO CLOSE IT TRIGGERS A RECOUNT PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS.

ONE OF THE LEGISLATURE'S INCOMING HOUSE MEMBERS WILL BE A A FIRST FOR CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

ABDI DAISANE NARROWLY WON THE HISTORICALLY CONSERVATIVE SEAT IN ST.

CLOUD.

THE SOMALI AMERICAN AND REFUGEE IS A CHILDCARE CENTER OWNER.

AND MELISSA HORTMAN'S FAMILY GATHERED FOR THE DEDICATION OF A A HIGHWAY NAMED FOR THE SLAIN HOUSE SPEAKER.

>> I WOULD ARGUE FOR MILLIONS ACROSS INNESOTA IT'S AN EMOTIONAL DAY.

WE'RE ERE TO DEDICATE THIS PIECE OF HIGHWAY TO MELISSA AND MARK HORTMAN AND THE WORK THEY DID.

>> LAWMAKERS HAVE ELECTED THEIR LEADERSHIP AFTER DEMOCRATS AGAIN TOOK ALL THE STATEWIDE AUFRPSS AND COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAPITOL.

BEFORE WE CHAT WITH A DUO OF REPUBLICANS, HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW DEMOCRATS DOMINATED.

>> AS RETURNS FROM STATE AFTER STATE CAME IN, A BLUE WAVE REACHED MINNESOTA MAKING HISTORY.

>> THANKS TO YOU THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> AFTER MONTHS OF ACTION.

>> YOU CAN'T BUY A SEAT WHEN THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA VOTE AND WHEN THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA VOW UP.

AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR, I WILL WORK MY HEART OUT FOR YOU.

I PROMISE THAT.

I WILL BE A TRANSFORMATIVE GOVERNOR FOR THIS STATE.

>> KLOBUCHAR SAYS IT LOOKS LIKE SHE'LL BE ABLE TO GET A GUN SAFETY BILL THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AS GOVERNOR WITH ALL OF THE CHANGES AT THE CAPITOL.

>> WE WON THIS ELECTION!

WE EARNED IT!

MINNESOTANS ARE VERY CLEAR.

THEY'RE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE COST OF THEIR LIVES AND HEY WANT CHANGE AND WE'RE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE SENATE, THE DEMOCRATS WHO WILL DELIVER ON THAT CHANGE.

>> WELL, FRIENDS, SOMEWHERE OUT THERE, MELISSA HORTMAN HAS A BIG SMILE ON HER FACE BECAUSE THE HOUSE DFL IS BACK IN THE MAJORITY.

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU MELISSA!

BUT THIS ONE'S OR EVERY SINGLE MINNESOTAN WHO IS HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING THE RENT AND PAYING FOR THE DRUGS THEY NEED TO LIVE.

THE HOUSE DFL WILL FIGHT FOR YOU.

>> YOU JUST BEAT DONALD TRUMP AGAIN!

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

AMERICA DID TOO.

FLANAGAN CONTINUED TO SURGE PAST EXPECTATIONS EARNING A SEAT FOR A WOMAN.

>> YOU SAID NO MORE MASKED GOONS SHOOTING OUR NEIGHBORS AND HER TERRORIZING OUR COMMUNITIES.

YOU SAID NO MORE BALLROOMS, BOMBS, OR TAX BREAKS FOR BILLIONAIRES.

THE GRIFT STOPS NOW!

AND THE TAKING BACK OUR COUNTRY FROM THE GRIFT OF THE MOST CORRUPT ADD MIN MOST CORRUPT ADD MMINISTRATION N OUR NATION'S HISTORY STARTS TONIGHT.

ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, PEOPLE ARE SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

>> IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT WAS THE ISSUE THAT PROPELLED THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN AS SHE PROMISES PROGRESSIVE CHANGE.

>> WE WILL RIP I.C.E.

APART!

>> DEMOCRATS AGAIN DOMINATED THE STATEWIDE RACES WINNING MORE THAN ONE NEW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE AND RETURNING TWO TO THEIR PREVIOUS POSTS.

>> MINNESOTANS, ALL ACROSS THE STATE STOOD UP AND REJECTED THE POLITICS OF FEAR, DIVISION, AND HATE!

DONALD TRUMP LITERALLY DEMANDED THAT WE TURN ON EACH OTHER.

BUT WE REFUSED.

HE DEMANDED THAT WE TURN ON OUR SOMALI NEIGHBORS AND WE SAID O WAY, NEVER!

>> MINNESOTANS SAID TO WASHINGTON DC, HANDS OFF OUR STATE AND HANDS OFF OUR DEMOCRACY!

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING AS YOUR NEXT STATE AUDITOR.

>> REPUBLICANS WERE DISAPPOINTED WITH DISASTROUS RESULTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE STATE.

>> THE RESULTS WERE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE WANTED, BUT YET ALL OF US COMING TOGETHER, CROSSING THE STATE, BRINGING A MESSAGE OF HOPE, AND CHANGE, IS STILL OUT THERE.

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO DEFEND OUR DEMOCRACY, NUMBER ONE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO THAT TOO.

>> TAKE CARE OF OUR FELLOW MAN.

>> IN THE LEGISLATURE A DFL TRIFECTA IS BACK AFTER DEMOCRATS FLIPPED RACE TO WATCH SEATS.

>> I HAD TO SAY I WAS PLANNING ON WINNING THE SEAT FROM THE BEGINNING.

I KNEW THIS IS THE YEAR TO DO IT.

I KNOW THE AREA IS CHANGING IN SOME WAYS.

NATIONAL POLITICS CAST A LONG SHADOW.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY STRUGGLING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, POLITICAL SEASON.

>> DEMOCRATS IN HASTINGS, LYE >> DEMOCRATS IN HASTINGS, LAND ST.

CLOUD.

>> FIRST DEMOCRAT GOING BACK SINCE TIM WALZ HELD THE SEAT.

>> IT WAS OBVIOUSLY A BIG NIGHT.

BOTH NATIONALLY AND IN MINNESOTA.

>> AND THE GOVERNOR ELECT IS ALREADY TRANSITIONS FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO HER STATE AGENDA.

>> HOW DO YOU SEE THIS EFFORT COORDINATING AND YOUR DESIRE TO WORK WITH BUSINESS WITH NOW A DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE THAT MIGHT BE A VERY PROGRESSIVE -- AND THESE ARE SOME MORE MODERATE CONCEPTS, HOW DO YOU SEE THAT COLLIDING OR COORDINATING.

>> YES, HERE ARE OF COURSE PROGRESSIVES ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

THERE WAS A NUMBER OF MODERATES THAT GOT ELECTED LAST NIGHT LIKE JIM DE MAY AND JEN FOX.

YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT VIEWS AND I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHERE I'M GO COMING FROM.

♪ ♪ 4 OUR NEXT TWO GUESTS SPONSORED HIGH-PROFILE BIPARTISAN BILLS, BROKE WITH THEIR CAUCUS ON KEY ISSUES, SPOKE OUT AGAINST AGGRESSIVE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT--AND THEY STILL LOST IN THEIR COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR JIM ABELER OF ANOKA, AND WITH HIM IS REPRESENTATIVE DANNY NADEAU OF ROGERS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

REPRESENTATIVE, SOUNDS LIKE YOU DID EVERYTHING RIGHT IN YOUR PURPLE DISTRICT, IT WASN'T ENOUGH, WHAT HAPPENED?

>> YOU KOW, I THINK IT WAS, 3 YOU KNOW, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION STEPPED FAR AND HARD IN MINNESOTA.

AND MINNESOTA PUSHED BACK VERY, VERY HARD.

>> AND YOU DID, SPECIFICALLY, TOO.

>> I WAS TALKING MORE ABOUT THE MAYOR AND THE GOVERNOR, YOU KNOW, AND CREATED THIS -- A LOT OF ADVERSITY, A LOT OF O -- FEAR, AND A LOT OF UNSAFE AREAS AND I THINK PEOPLE DIDN'T FORGET THAT THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE.

WE CAN BE STRONG ON IMMIGRATION AND BORDERS BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE KIND TO PEOPLE.

AND I THINK WE LOST A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.

>> SENATOR THEY DIDN'T REMEMBER THE KINDNESS YOU TRIED TO SHOW WHEN YOU SPOKE OUT AND SAID THIS IS NOT OKAY, WHAT'S HAPPENING, WHEN YOU VOTED AGAINST YOUR CAUCUS AND FOR HOUSING AID, YOU WERE THE ONLY REPUBLICAN TO DO SO AFTER THE IMMIGRATION, THAT DIDN'T HELP.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT IT OR TALK ABOUT IT?

>> SOME PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD.

AND I GOT 1,000 MORE VOTES THAN LAST TIME.

MANY, MANY DEMOCRATS SAY I'M VOTING ALL DEMOCRAT EXCEPT FOR YOU.

AND I HEARD ABOUT HE TRUMP ANGST, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT, STARTING IN JULY.

I WENT TO OVER THREE QUARTERS OF THE DOORS O SAY HLLO.

AND SO ONE LADY IN PARTICULAR, SAID I VOTED FOR YOU FOUR YEARS AGO, BUT THIS YEAR, I'M VOTING ALL DEMOCRAT.

IT'S A BAD YEAR TO BE YOU.

>> OKAY, THAT'S THE SUMMARY, ISN'T IT, RIGHT THERE.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST REALLY TOO BAD.

>> I WONDER IF WHEN GOVERNOR WALZ DECIDED NOT TO RUN IF THAT TOOK AIR OUT OF THE REPUBLICAN BALLOON BECAUSE YOU WERE SET UP FOR FRAUD, AND THEN YOU NEEDED ANOTHER ISSUE, I GUESS, MAYBE TO SUPPLEMENT FRAUD.

>> I THINK THAT YOU KNOW THE GOVERNOR, I DON'T KNOW IF HE KNEW IT AT THE TIME, I THINK HE TOOK THE HEAT FOR THIS.

I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THAT MAYBE ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON WOULD HAVE DONE LESS.

BUT AS YOU LOOKED AT THE VOTES THAT CAME IN THEY WERE SIMILAR ACROSS THE BOARD.

I THINK LOOKING BACK, I MEAN, I THINK A LOT OF THAT BLAME WENT ON GOVERNOR WALZ AND WE DEALT WITH SOMETHING ELSE, YOU KNOW.

>> BUT YOU MODERATES HAD MODERATES AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A REALLY LONG TIME.

DID IT HELP?

>> NO.

I DON'T THINK THAT EVEN SOME PEOPLE EVEN READ THE NAMES ON THE BALLOT.

THEY JUST WENT THERE TO SEND A MESSAGE.

MY OPPONENT GOT 4,000 MORE VOTES THAN BEFORE THAN MY PREVIOUS OPPONENT IN ' 22.

AND I HEARD FROM PERSON AFTER PERSON NOT VOTING REPUBLICAN, SLAMMED THE DOOR.

A PATIENT WAS TALKING TO ME THIS MORNING AND SAID SORRY, WE'RE NOT VOTING FOR YOU.

WE'RE VOTING ALL DEMOCRAT.

HIS FRIENDS WERE, AND IT'S -- IT IS THE INTERESTING THING IS PEOPLE ARE SAYING WHAT DID REPUBLICANSES DO WROJ?

I THINK NOT MUCH DIFFERENT.

I THINK THE MESSAGE OF A FAITH AND FAMILY, LIMITED GOVERNMENT, KEEP IT OFF YOUR BACK, PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, I THINK THOSE THINGS ARE WORKING AND IT'S STILL VALID, BUT I DON'T THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD THE DEPTH OF THE UPSETNESS WITH THE PRESIDENT.

>> FROM THE TOP, FAITH, FREEDOM, FAMILY, ARE YOU GETTING THAT FROM THE TOP?

ARE TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE VALUES COMING FROM THE TOP, FROM WASHINGTON, AND THE PRESIDENT?

>> I DON'T SEE THAT.

YOU KNOW, AND I SEE IN MY DISTRICT, I MEAN I HAVE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING DISTRICTS IN THE STATE, BUT IT WAS -- WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?

YOU KNOW?

HEALTH CARE IS A VERY EXPENSIVE THING AND IT'S INCREASING.

WE HAVE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ON OUR MEDICAID PROGRAMS.

WHAT ARE REPUBLICANS PUTTING OUT THERE TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THOSE COSTS ARE COMING DOWN?

AFFORDABILITY?

WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN AND WHAT DO EOPLE WANT TO SEE IN THAT?

I THINK THAT'S WHERE MOVING FORWARD, I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF EXPLAINING WHAT THAT MEANS AND HOW THAT'S COUCHED IN FAITH, FAMILY, AND FREEDOM.

>> HOW BIG OF A MESSAGE IS THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IN AND TOP TO BOTTOM, WILL THAT BECKY: -- BE A BLOCKING POINT?

>> I FEEL LIKE THEY LOST THEIR WAY.

THE COMPASSION AND HUMANITY WAS LOST IN THE RACE TO FIND FRAUD.

THEY DID HAPHAZARD AND SUDDEN THINGS TO FIND FAUD, AND MANY GOOD PROVIDERS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS ACCORDING TO THE 3 PEOPLE THAT, THE HUMAN RIGHTS PEOPLE, FIVE PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET SERVICES.

FIVE BECAUSE IN THEIR HASTE.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOW DO WE FOCUS ON THE BAD ACTORS, NOT THE GOOD ONES.

LET'S YOU SOCIAL SRVICES, RAM, AND OTHER COMPANIES THAT ARE REALLY GOOD.

HOW WOULD YOU FIND THE FRAUD?

THEY DID NOT DO THAT AND THEY HAVE TO PICK UP A LOT OF PIECES.

WE LOST A LOT OF GOOD PROVIDERS.

>> YOU TWO ARE EXPERTS ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

YOU DID THE BIPARTISAN HCMC RESCUE PACKAGE WITH ESTHER ESTHER ADBADJE.

>> AN ELECTION DOESN'T MEAN THERE'S A MANDATE AGAINST BEING GOOD TO ONE ANOTHER, YOU KNOW?

I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO FIND THAT SPACE.

WILL IT BE HARD AND HARDER?

ABSOLUTELY 37 ONE SIDE DOESN'T WANT TO MOVE ANYTHING.

ANOTHER SIDE WANTS TO PUSH IT TOO FAR, AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO BE SUPER INTENTIONAL TODAY AND TRY TO FIND AND BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, WORK TOGETHER ON THOSE THINGS.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE TAX COMMITTEE CHAIRSS ARE TOO MANY HAPLESS LIBERALS, DOES THAT GIVE YOU PAUSE?

>> I THINK IT IS ENTERTAINING.

IT'S A GOOD TIME TO REMEMBER THERE'S NO MANDATE TO DO WHAT THEY DID.

THERE'S ANGST ABOUT $6 DIESEL AND $4 GAS, AND THE WAR, BUT IT'S NOT A GOOD TIME TO OVERREACH OR RAISE TAXES.

THE GOVERNOR ELECT IS NOT GOING TO O IT ANYWAY.

IT'S A GOOD TIME TO WORK ON WHAT IS CORE AND IF THEY WANT TO STAY IN CHARGE, KEEP TO THE CENTER.

DON'T OVERREACH, AND THAT'S MY ADVICE TO THEM.

>> DOES THE GOVERNOR ELECT POTENTIALLY NEED REPUBLICAN VOTES TO GET A NO TAX BUDGET THROUGH?

SHE KIND OF DIDN'T ENTERTAIN IT THERE BUT THAT'S POTENTIALLY THE REALITY, ISN'T IT?

>> I THINK SO.

I WOULD HOPE THAT REMEMBER I WOULD HOPE THAT REMEMPUBLICAN3 WOULD REACH OUT AND TRY TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

HOW CAN WE GET OUR AGENDA DONE AT THE SAME TIME AND WORK TOGETHER?

I THINK SHE WILL NEED THEM.

>> YOUR ROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE LEGISLATURE WHAT WOULD IT BE?

>> CAN JUST THE PLETHORA OF HELPING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, YOU KNOW.

THERE'S ONE THING THAT WE DID ONCE, THERE WAS A PCA THAT COULD NOT CHOOSE THE GENDER OF THEIR STAFF.

A PERSON CARE ATTENDANT, SO I PASSED A LITTLE TINY LAW THAT SAYS IF SHE WANTS A WOMAN, IF THE MAN WANTS A MAN, THEY CAN PICK THEIR OWN, ISN'T THAT CUTE?

>> REPRESENTATIVE, HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I PROBABLY -- THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING I WORKED ON WAS HCMC, YOU KNOW, IT WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ASSET TO THE STATE.

IT'S IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AS YOU KNOW IT IS VERY FRAGILE RIGHT NOW.

SO, THAT WAS PROBABLY THE BIG THING, BUT YOU KNOW SERVING DOWN THERE, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE, BEING CURIOUS ABOUT WHY PEOPLE THINK DIFFERENTLY THAN I D, I THINK THAT WAS -- PROBABLY THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MEAN THE MOST.

>> OPEN TO AN APPOINTMENT TEAM OF RIVALS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION WAS FLOATED.

>> I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA FOR THE COMMISSIONER, THE GOVERNOR.

THIS MAN HERE WOULD BE MARVELOUS.

>> WOULD YOU TAKE THE JOB?

>> COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES.

>> I WOULD DEFINITELY TALK ABOUT IT.

>> YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANKS.

♪ DLERS FLIPPED SEVERAL SEATS THIS MIDTERM ELECTION, HELPING THE PARTY TAKE CONTROL OF BOTH CHAMBERS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND ALL CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.

WITH US NOW TO DISCUSS WHAT'S AHEAD, DFL PARTY CHAIR RICHARD CARLBOM.

WAS IT MORE THAN TWO MILLION DOOR KNOCKS.

>> YEAH, 2.5 MILLION DOOR KNOCKS.

>> THIS IS WHERE E GO DOOR TO DOOR AND LISTEN TO VOTERS.

THEY TELL US THAT THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS CAUSED BY IRAN, THE HIGH GAS PRICES, THE TARIFFS, THE HIGH GROCERY PRICES, THE CUTS TO HEALTH CARE AND THE BIG BILL WERE REALLY MAKING EVERYBODY ANXIOUS AND NERVOUS AND WHEN WE GO TO THE DOOR WE HEAR CONVERSATION WITH OUR CANDIDATES.

WHEN WE LISTEN TO VOTERS WE CAN LEARN ABOUT WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE AND THEIR CANDIDATES CAN MEET THE PRIORITIES WITH PLANS.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT I.C.E.

EMOTIONS WERE STILL THIS HIGH?

WE WERE AT THE ALEX PRETTI MEMORIAL GETTING FOOTAGE AND PEOPLE WERE STILL PUTTING UP THEIR I VOTED THINGS DAYS LATER.

>> THEY STARTED TRAINING CONSTITUTIONAL OBSERVERS.

WE THOUGHT WE'LL DO ONE AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE SIGNED UP, AND IT FILLED IN 32 MINUTES.

WE ENDED P DOING 10.

WE TRAINED 10,000 CONSTITUTIONAL OBSERVERS.

FIRST OF ALL HAVING BEEN ORGANIZING IN HAD MINNESOTA FOR 22 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT MUCH PASSION AND ENGAGEMENT SO QUICKLY.

THE OTHER THING THAT REALLY STRUCK ME WAS THEY DIDN'T GO AWAY.

THEY DIDN'T COME TO ONE TRAINING AND THEN POOF.

THEY STOOD UP THEIR NETWORKS, ENGAGE PEOPLE, CAME OUT TO THE RALLIES AND THE DOOR KNOCKS AND THEY TAY ENGAGED.

>> THE I.C.E.

AGENTS FLIPPED AND BECAME A GET OUT THE VOTE MACHINE.

>> YEAH, THEY HAD THREE JOBS.

OUR POLL PROTECTORS.

THEY WERE TRAINED TODAY IF THERE WAS ANYTHING HAPPENING ON ELECTION DAY TO SHOW UP IN VESTS WITH THEIR WHISTLES AND CAMERAS.

REALLY RETRAINED REALLY RETRAIWE TRAINED THEM HO VOTE.

FROM YOUR COUCH WITH A MAIL IN BALLOT, VOTE EARLY, OR ON ELECTION DAY.

WE HAD THEM HELP EVERYBODY IN THEIR NETWORK MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE AND THAT WAS REALLY SUCCESSFUL.

>> I WONDER WHAT OU LEARNED FROM THE LAST REALLY BIG SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN YOU RAN?

WE ALL GOT TO KNOW YOU WHEN YOU RAN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MARRIAGE AMENDMENT THAT BANS SAME SEX MARRIAGE.

THAT WAS A GROUND OPERATION THAT PEOPLE DIDN'T SEE COMING.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THAT THAT YOU IMPLEMENTED THIS TIME?

>> START EARLY, RIGHT?

BOOTS ON THE GROUND ORGANIZERS ON THE GROUND IN JUNE OF 2025.

WE PLANNED TO DEPLOY THEM ON JUNE 16th, TWO DAYS AFTER MELISSA AND ARK HORTMAN WERE ASSASSINATED AND WE THOUGHT ALL DAY ON THE 15th ABOUT GOING ON THE 16th, AND WE REALIZED THAT'S EXACTLY HAT WE SHOULD DO.

WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO VOTERS AND MAKE SURE THEY FEEL HEARD.

WHEN I WAS ELECTED CHAIR THE NUMBER ONE THING I READ ABOUT THE 2024 ELECTION IS THAT VOTERS GENERALLY FELT LIKE POLITICIANS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS HAD STOPPING LISTENING.

WE STARTED FROM THE BEGINNING SAYING OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS TO LISTEN TO VOTERS AND IF WE DO THAT WE CAN MEET EXPECTATIONS.

>> HOW DO YOU GET 89% OF THE VOTES OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS, IS THAT A RIGHT NUMBER?

>> IT'S A RIGHT NUMBER, WE WERE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE PRECINCTS, SOME THAT ARE HEAVILY HISPANIC AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN, SOME MOVED 25 TO 35 POINTS IN OUR DIRECTION IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THAT'S HOW IT HAPPENED.

METRO SURGE HE LOOKS LIKE HAVE -- WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON HOW MINNESOTANS VOTE FOR ELECTIONS TO COME.

>> DID THEY UNDER ESTIMATE THAT.

>> THEY CERTAINLY DID AND LISA DEMUTH WAS PRAISING CHRISTIE DEMUTH WAS PRAISING CHRIS CHRISTIE NOME AFTER THE SURGE.

AND THE NEXT DAY SHE WAS FIRED.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ELECTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

MINNESOTANS OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE USE OF STATE REVENUE TO HELP FUND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

BUT VOTERS WERE LESS LIKELY TO PASS LOCAL SCHOOL REFERENDUMS STATEWIDE... JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THAT IMPACT IS SCOTT CROONQUIST, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS - AND MATT HILLMANN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

CONTRARY THINGS.

WE'RE FIVING MONEY IN ONE PLACE SO WE'RE NOT GIVING THEM IN THE LOCAL REFERENDUMS.

>> IT WAS A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT THIS YEAR FOR REFERENDUM REFERENDUMS.

THE AFFORDABILITY ISSUE WAS HUGE IN THE CAMPAIGNS.

WE HAD TWO QUESTIONS ON THE BALLOT, ONE OF THEM SAID YOU CAN GET MORE MONEY FOR YOUR SCHOOLS WITHOUT RAISING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

THE OTHER SAID YOU CAN GET MORE MONEY FOR YOUR SCHOOLS BUT IT WILL REYES, PROPERTY TAXES AND I THINK THAT TOLD THE STORY OF THE OUTCOME.

>> WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CLAIMS OF RECORD FUNDING IN THE LAST BIENNIUM WHEN PROGRESSIVES WERE IN CHARGE.

WHAT HAPPENED TODAY ALL THAT DOUGH.

>> IT'S BEEN USED ODAY DO GOOD THINGS FOR KIDS.

THE AMOUNT THAT WE GET ER STUDENT HAS NOT KEPT UP WITH INFLATION.

FOR THE FORMULA ODAY TO HAVE THE SAME BUYING POWER AS 30 YEARS AGO YOU NEED TO INCREASE IT BY ABOUT 19% OR $1400 PER STUDENT.

YOU ADD ON ALL OF THE INFLATIONARY THINGS WE'RE ALL DEALING WITH AND SCHOOLS ARE DEALING WITH THAT, TOO.

DIESEL FALL IS A BIG ISSUE FOR A LOT OF SCHOOLS.

THE KIND OF INTERVENTIONS AND THE SUPPORTS THAT STUDENTS NEED TODAY.

SO, 80% OF EVERY BUDGET IS DOING GOOD THINGS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF, THEY COST MONEY.

>> HOW MUCH DOES THIS NEW MONEY HELP?

HOW QUICKLY DOES IT GET IN FROM THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?

>> IT WILL START NEXT YEAR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL RECEIVE IT'S VERY WELCOME.

WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE TO THE VOTERS FOR APPROVING IT BUT IT'S A MODEL LEVEL OF FUNNING AND IT WON'T SOLVE ANY -- >> IT'S A DOUBLING, IT'S FROM ABOUT 2% TO 4%.

>> YEAH, IF YOU LOOK AT NORTH FIELD JUST UNDER 4,000 STUDENTS, THAT'S $24,000 NEW DOLLARS.

YOU GO UP TO WARROAD, 30,000.

IT'S WELCOME BUT MODEST.

IF ANY SUPERINTENDENT HAD A PERSON FROM THE COMMUNITY COME IN AND SAY I'M GOING TO WRITE YOU A CHECK EVERY YEAR FOR $120,000, WE'LL BE SO GRATEFUL.

OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE REALLY GOOD AT MANAGING THEIR FINANCES AND REALLY PROVIDING THE SERVICES THAT STUDENTS NEED.

>> YOU TWO AND TEN OTHERS IN @ UNDERSTAND UNDERSTAND THE K-12 FUNDING FORMULA, ISN'T IT TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT REFORM CHANGES, I DON'T KNOW HOW RADICAL YOU COULD BE IN ONE SESSION, BUT -- >> AND IS KLOBUCHAR THE PERSON TO DO IT?

>> I TAUGHT AND ASKED STUDENTS TO CREATE A NEW FORMULA AND IT'S HARD.

THE FORMULA HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS BECAUSE OF THE REAL GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES IN THE STATE.

SOME NEED MORE TRANSPORTATION MONEY, SOME HAVE HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS OF POVERTY.

THEY NEED TO HELP THE STUDENTS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT REFORMING THE FORMULA AND INCREASING THE PER PUPIL AMOUNT.

>> AND FUNDING THE FORMULA THAT WE HAVE.

WE'RE NOT FULLY FUNDING THE FORMULAS WE HAVE.

SPECIAL EDUCATION IS A HUGE EXAMPLE THERE, RIGHT?

IT'S UNDER FUNDED.

>> BUT THERE IS A BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS FOR SPECIAL ED, IS THAT A WORTHY PROJECT?

>> IT IS A WORTHY PROJECT AND THEY DID A LOT OF GOOD WORK, BUT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A $250 MILLION CUT IN THE 2025 SESSION, AND THEN THEY ASKED THIS COMMISSION TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE CUT OR WHERE IT SHOULD COME FROM, RIGHT?

>> AND NO NEW TAXES, TOO, YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR EECT, IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGING SESSION.

>> ONE OF OUR TOP PRIORITIES IS ASKING STATE POLICYMAKERS TO REPEAL THAT $250 MILLION CUT.

>> THANK YOU, YOU TOO, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS, FELLAS.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

♪ MINNESOTANS TURNED OUT TO VOTE IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND DID SO WITHOUT REPORTS OF FEDERAL WATCHDOGS INTERFERING, OR REPORTS OF VOTER FRAUD.... WE'RE JOINED BY STATE ELECTIONS DIRECTOR PAUL LINNELL TO BREAK DOWN THE DATA... HOW DID WE DO TURNOUT WISE?

>> WHEN THE FINAL NUMBERS COME OUT I THINK MINNESOTA WILL BE RIGHT AT THE TOP, OR VERY NEAR IT.

CERTAINLY I EXPECT TO BE ON THE MEDAL STAND ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR TURNOUT IN THIS MIDTERM ELECTION.

>> EARLY VOTING SEEMS POPULAR.

>> ABSOLUTELY ACROSS THE STATE WE HAVE SEEN BOTH ABSENTEE VOTING BY MAIL AND EARLY VOTING IN THE LAST 18 DAYS WAS VERY POPULAR.

OVER A MILLION VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOT PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY.

>> PRIMARY SET A NEW RECORD, DID THAT SET THE STAGE FOR THIS TURNOUT OR THE GENERAL?

>> I THINK THAT SHOWED THAT VOTERS HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST AND CANDIDATES AND THAT MINNESOTA HAS A CULTURE OF VOTING WHETHER T BE AT A PRIMARY ELECTION OR A GENERAL ELECTION HERE, THE EXPECTATION WAS THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE TURNING OUT AND THAT'S WHAT WE SAW ACROSS THE STATE.

>> TAKE US TO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA TO CD1 WHERE THERE WILL BE A RECOUNT FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL SAT.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH HAT PROCESS.

>> A FEW THINGS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE BEFORE, FIRST EACH COUNTY NEEDS TO CERTIFY THE 3 VOTES OF THE CAST IN THEIR COUNTY.

POST ELECTION REVIEW WILL TAKE PLACE WHICH IS A HAND COUNT AUDIT, ONE OF THE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THE EQUIPMENT IS COUNTING ACCURATELY.

THEY DO A HAND OUNT OF SELECT PRECINCTS, AND THE STATE CANVASSING BOARD THAT WILL CERTIFY THE RESULTS FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ONE.

AT THAT POINT THE RECOUNT CAN BE OFFICIALLY REQUESTED AND IT IS IN THAT PUBLICLY FUNDED MARGIN.

IT WOULD BE PAID FOR.

>> AND LEGISLATIVE RECOUNTS, HOW MANY ARE YOU LOOKING AT AND WHAT IS THE MARGIN FOR THAT AUTOMATIC RECOUNT?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE THREE ELIGIBLE IN THAT PUBLICLY FUNDED MARGIN.

SENATE DISTRICT 4, SEPARATED BY FOUR VOTES, UP IN MOORHEAD, FOUR VOTES, AND ALL THOSE WITHIN ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT.

>> THAT'S A LOT OF RECOUNTS, ISN'T IT?

>> IT WOULD BE A BUSY YEAR FOR US AND FOR THE COUNTIES TO ADMINISTER THAT AT A STATE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE AND ABOVE.

>> THE MACHINES ARE PRETTY ACCURATE THOUGH?

>> THE VOTING EQUIPMENT IN MINNESOTA HAS CONSISTENTLY SHOW IT COUNTS VOTES ACCURATELY.

IT GOES THROUGH EXTENSIVE TESTING AT LABS BEFORE IT IS EVEN BROUGHT TO MINNESOTA TO BE CERTIFIED.

OUR OFFICE CERTIFIES IT BEFORE IT CAN BE USED, AND PRIOR TO EVERY ELECTION IS GOES THROUGH PUBLIC ACCURACY TESTING AND THE POST ELECTION REVIEW DOES A HAND COUNT TO VERIFY THE RESULTS ARE COUNTED ACCURATELY.

>> DOES IN A HIGH TURNOUT SHOW THAT MINNESOTANS BELIEVE IN VOTING?

THAT OUR VOTING IS FAIR AND SAFE AND THEY LOVE TO VOTE?

>> I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

IF YOU DIDN'T BELIEVE IN THE PROCESS, YOU WOULD NOT BE SHOWING OUT IN RECORD NUMBERS CONSISTENTLY THE WAY THAT MINNESOTANS D.

>> GREAT DATA.

>> BRINGING GOOD NEWS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WE DID IT, RIGHT?

NUMBER ONE.

>> IT WILL E CLOSE.

>> WE HOPE.

>> YOU COUNTED IT, THAT'S FAIR.

THANK YOU.

THE PRESS ASKED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IF THE WAR IN IRAN WAS TO BLAME FOR REPUBLICAN LOSSES HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY... >> I THINK IT IS LARGELY TRUE, BECAUSE IT DROVE THE GASOLINE UP A LITTLE BIT, SHORT TERM, AND PROBABLY THAT'S -- PROBABLY IT'S TRUE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN I WOULD DO IT AGAIN BECAUSE LONG TERM IT'S THE ONLY ANSWER.

YOU CAN'T LET IRAN HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

♪ ♪ WHILE WE'VE FOCUSED ON STATE ELECTIONS SO FAR TONIGHT, THE RESULTS HERE WERE PART OF A MASSIVE BLUE WAVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

FOR EXPERT ANALYSIS OF WHAT THIS COULD MEAN IN JANUARY, WE'RE JOINED BY A TRIO OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS UP THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA... THE U OF M IS ALSO WHERE MICHAEL MINTA CHAIRS THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT... AND A COUPLE OF HOURS UP I-35 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH IS WHERE YOU'LL USUALLY FIND CINDY RUGELEY, WHO IS CURRENTLY ON RESEARCH SABBATICAL.

LARRY JACOBS, A ONE OFF OR A REALIGNMENT ELECTION?

>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY IS AN IMPORTANT ELECTION.

I THINK IT DEFIES MANY OF THE PATTERNS WE HAVE SEEN.

THE POLARIZATION IS SUPPOSED TO LOCK IN VOTERS, NOT THIS TIME.

WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE SO MANY RACES SHIFTING BECAUSE IT'S NOT COMPETITIVE.

YOU KNOW, YOU JUST GO DOWN THE LIST AND IT'S EXTRAORDINARY, AND THEN YOU'VE GOT DEMOCRATS WINNING IN STATES WHERE DONALD TRUMP WON BY 23 POINTS, OR YOU KNOW, MULTIPLE -- SO IS THIS A ONE OFF?

IS -- I THINK IT IS PART OF A NEW PATTERN.

TRUMP'S COALITION IS IN TATTERS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE TO MAKE A BIG DECISION ABOUT ARE THEY GOING TO BE COMPETING IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH VOTERS OF COLOR ARE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S EITHER.

I THINK IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE ELECTION TO BE A REALIGNMENT.

I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY MORE THAN A ONE OFF.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE WANTING CHANGE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE WANTING CONGRESS TO START DOING SOMETHING.

I THINK THIS TIME IF THE DEMOCRATS DON'T DO IT THERE WILL BE CHANGES NEXT TIME.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS AFTER -- FOR THE PARTY IN POWER, THEY USUALLY LOSE SEATS.

BILL CLINTON LOST OVER 50 SOME ODD SEATS IN THE HOUSE TO DEMOCRATS.

BARACK OBAMA IN 2010 OVER 60 PLUS SEATS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTION.

SO, I DIDN'T NECESSARILY SEE A REALIGNMENT.

BUT AGAIN LIKE CINDY SAID, I THINK IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE ELECTION.

I THINK DEMOCRATS UNDERSTAND THEY SEE THE DATA LIKE WE SEE THE DATA AND THEY UNDERSTAND THEY NEED TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING TO LIMIT THOSE EFFECTS.

>> SPEAKING OF DATA, WHAT ABOUT POLLS.

I WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA OSTING EVENT.

THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION WE GOT FROM THE AUDIENCE OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

ARE POLLS TRUST WORTHY?

ARE THEY RIGHT OR WRONG?

WHAT SAY YOU?

>> I THINK THEY DO A GOOD JOB BUT IT IS A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE "NEW YORK TIMES" LAST POLL, THEY WERE SPOT ON IN LOOKING AT INDIVIDUAL RACES.

>> WITH SIX PARAGRAPHS OF CAVEATS IN MINNESOTA SENATE RACE, THEY WEREN'T SURE THEY WERE RIGHT.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE, IT'S A PROBABILITY, A STATISTICAL ESTIMATE, AND IT VARIES AROUND THE ESTIMATE.

BUT I THINK POLLS IS VALUABLE.

IT'S NOT A PREDICTION.

YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT IT WILL VARY.

>> POLLS, BETTER, WERE THEY CLOSER?

>> I THINK THE POLLS THIS TIME DID A DECENT JOB.

I THINK IT'S REALLY HARD FOR POLLS TO REALLY WEIGH TURNOUT, RIGHT?

MANY POLLSTERS ARE CONCERNED THAT WE COULD NOT CAPTURE THAT TRUMP VOTER, I THINK HEY OVERCORRECTED A LITTLE BIT FOR REPUBLICANS IN TERMS OF THE COMPOSITION OF WHO'S GOING TO TURN OUT AND VOTE.

BUT THIS TIME IT WAS A BIG WAVE AND DEMOCRATS ARE ENTHUSED AND ENERGETIC.

IT IS HARD TO CAPTURE THAT ENTHUSIASM.

>> THE FUTURE OF MAGA?

>> FIRST OF ALL TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ON THE POLLS REAL QUICK, THE PROBLEM WITH POLLS RIGHT NOW IS I THINK THEY'RE OVER EMPHASIZED IN CAMPAIGNS.

IT'S AN ISSUE WITH RESPONSE RATES.

YOU ASSUME THOSE THAT ANSWER THE POLL ARE THE SAME WHO DON'T.

THAT'S WHERE THE QUESTIONS COME IN.

THEY DID A GOOD JOB WITH IT THIS TIME.

THE "NEW YORK TIMES," ALL OF THOSE CAVEATS, IT WAS SUCH AN OUTLIER AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE RIGHT.

MAGA I HINK IS IMPLODING.

>> SO WHAT END?

>> A LOT OF IT WAS A CREATION OF INFLUENCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT ON THE INTERNET, BUT I THINK THEY'RE GOING AFTER EACH OTHER.

I THINK THAT AS FAR AS -- I THINK THEY'VE BLOWN UP.

>> WHAT REPLACES IT, IF ANYTHING?

>> IF WE LOOK AT THESE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENTS, RIGHT?

THE TEA PARTY, REMEMBER THAT AFTER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

REMEMBER THAT AND WE SAW IT THE BIRTHER, AND THEN THE NAME MAGA.

I THINK IT WILL REINVENT ITSELF AND BE IN OPPOSITION.

AS LONG AS THERE IS ANOTHER PARTY, THE ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM WILL REINVENT, IT WILL COME BACK, IT MAY NOT BE IN THE FORM, TRUMP WILL NOT BE THE FACE OF IT, AT LEAST WE DON'T THINK, BUT THERE WILL BE SOMEONE ELSE BUT SOMEONE LIKE RON DESANTIS.

>> THE PRESIDENT IS GOING DOWN SWINGING.

>> DONALD TRUMP HAS DEMONSTRATED IT'S POLITICS ARE ABOUT DONALD TRUMP AND NOT ABOUT THE PARTY.

THE PEOPLE THAT CAME BACK THAT WERE TRUMP PEOPLE LOST.

BUT I THINK PUTTING STEVE MILLER, THIS IS NOT AN ACCOMMODATION TO THE NEW POLITICAL REALITY.

THIS IS DONALD TRUMP SAYING I'M NOT BACKING DOWN.

WE'RE GOING TO DO FULL SCALE IMMIGRATION ROUNDUPS AND CONTINUE WITH HIS POLICIES AND THAT'S NOT WHAT VOTERS SAY, HE'S OUT OF STEP.

>> CONTINUE WITH PETE HEGSETH, WILL TRUMP GET RID OF HIM OR CONGRESS?

>> I THINK CONGRESSES WILL IMPEACH HIM.

THE THING ABOUT MAGA THAT I FIND INTERESTING IS IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIMENT AND EVERYONE THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AND NOW THEY'RE GOING WELL, IT DIDN'T WORK.

SO, THIS EXPERIMENT DIDN'T WORK.

I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I HEARD CHARLIE KIRK TALK ABOUT JOBS.

HE TALKED ABOUT -- IT SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE GIVEN THAT WHOLE MESSAGE THAT HE HAD BACK IN 2012.

>> YEAH, I HATE TO MAKE PREDICTIONS, BUT I MIGHT AS WELL DO IT.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF UNREST AMONG REPUBLICANS ABOUT HEGSETH AND HIS TENURE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR.

STILL CALLED THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, AND SO I THINK THERE WILL BE A VOTE, WILL THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO IMPEACH HIM, POSSIBLY, BUT IF THE REPUBLICANS DONE THE DEMOCRATS WILL.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO FORGET ABOUT THE PARTY.

THEY'RE IN AN EXPECTATIONS TRAP.

THE ENORMOUS WIN RAISED THE EXPECTATIONS OF DRAMATIC CHANGE.

DONALD TRUMP HAS A VETO, THERE'S HUGE DIVISIONS IN THE PARTY, REMEMBER JOE MANCHIN, IT'S BACK.

WE AVE DEMOCRATS FROM KANSAS AND OTHER PLACES THAT ARE REPUBLICAN.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪ WE'D LIKE TO THANK GOVERNOR-ELECT KLOBUCHAR AND ALL OF OUR GUESTS TONIGHT.

NEXT WEEK WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THOSE FALL LEAVES AND HOW THEY CAN IMPACT THE FOOD ON OUR TABLES.

BEFORE WE GO, WE HAVE TIME FOR A A RETURN OF OUR INDEX FILE FOR A BIT OF SHOW ENDING TRIVIA.

THIS RIVER-TOWN MINNESOTA NATIVE WAS A DIVISION 1 HOOPER... AND EVEN JOINED THE TIMBERWOLVES TO WORKOUT IN THE 2003 PRESEASON... BUT IT'S NOT WHAT THEY ARE KNOWN FOR.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU IS SIMPLE... WHO IS THIS MYSTERY MINNESOTAN AND WHY ARE THEY FAMOUS?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM ZUMBROTA, ZERKLE, ZIMMERMAN OR ZEMPLE MINNESOTA.

YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL AT 651-229-1430.

OR DROP US A NOTE.

THE NEW ELECTRONIC INBOX IS ALMANAC@MINNESOTAPBS.ORG.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW ENDING MUSIC -- WE TURN OUR CLOCKS BACK TO THIS WEEK IN 1997 AS RED HOUSE RECORDING ARTIST CLIFF EBERHARDT PLAYS US OUT WITH THIS ACOUSTIC TUNE.

HAVE A A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ ♪ SOME PEOPLE THINK I'M WELL RED, I WENT TO THE FINEST SCHOOLS ♪ >> ALMANAC IS ADE POSSIBLE BY SUPPORTERS OF THIS STATION.

AND BY GREAT RIVER ENERGY PROVIDING POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH MEMBER OWNED COOPERATIVES.

BY DELTA DENTAL.

EDUCATE MINNESOTA, MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON THROUGH THE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND.

SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE STATEWIDE.

IT'S A PRODUCTION OF MINNESOTA PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.