Advocacy News, August 13, 2026

CAMPAIGN SEASON POWERS INTO HIGH GEAR (AFTER THE STATE FAIR)

Hello, hello!

I'm a few quick keystrokes away from getting out the door and heading to the Promised Land of Wisconsin, so I'll exercise even more brevity than usual for this edition.

With the primary election over, the ballots are set, the ads and mailers will inundate the airwaves and postal boxes (depending on where you live), and the candidates will be out in force talking to voters.

The center of gravity within the DFL continues to shift toward its left flank w/ primary wins for Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in her U.S. Senate race and former State Senator Matt Little's win in the CD 2 primary. This move to the left also played out in neighboring Wisconsin, where Democratic Socialists of America candidate, State Representative Francesca Hong, narrowly lost her primary race amid a bunch of political chicanery in the lead up to the election. Abdul El-Sayed's primary win in Michigan was another example of the left wing's gain in Democratic primary elections.

On the Republican side of the ballot, House Speaker Lisa Demuth defeated both MNGOP-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls and President Trump's preferred candidate, Mike Lindell. Lindell's loss joins a growing list of Trump-backed candidates who have come up short in Republican primaries, though it is far too early to declare a broader political realignment. Meanwhile, Michelle Tafoya dispatched MNGOP-endorsed candidate Adam Schwarze in the U.S. Senate primary. The same endorsement dynamics played out in the State Auditor race. Three races do not invalidate Minnesota's longstanding endorsement process, but they do underscore a widening disconnect between convention delegates and primary voters. It may be time for party leaders to revisit whether the endorsement system is still serving its intended purpose.

Closer to home, the "Tenants Right to Repair In Residential Rental Property" ballot initiative took a convoluted path to landing on the November general election ballot. Safe Homes St. Paul and the DSA-Twin Cities initially failed to submit the requisite number of signatures, but eventually gathered enough for Ramsey County to certify that they'd met the signature requirement. After receiving a memo from the City Attorney's Office, the City Council voted against a resolution instructing the county auditor to place the initiative on the November ballot. Safe Homes St. Paul then sued, Ramsey County District Judge Mark Ireland held an emergency hearing, and ordered the initiative placed on the November ballot. In the final act of this legal drama, the MN Supreme Court refused to grant the City's request to block the order from the lower court.

Ooooof, that's a lot of legalese for this non-lawyer. I'll leave you with the timeline and return to the ballot initiative policy in a later edition.

Now that we're in full election season, I encourage you to visit the East Metro Voter Guide early and often to learn more about candidates in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties. Candidate responses are uploaded as they are received.

Enjoy your weekend, I know I will -- brats are on the menu for Friday night and the reservation is made for the Bear Trap Inn on Saturday evening.

Until next time.

—JP

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Sev and I welcomed our newest professional sports team, the Minnesota Forge of Major League Volleyball on Wednesday. The brand launch event in Rice Park was another reminder of our community's commitment to downtown Saint Paul.

During the hustle and bustle prior to Mayor Her's inaugural budget address, Kaleb and I had the opportunity to catch up with First Assistant Mayor Erica Schumacher. I'm certain this conversation constituted "networking."

IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS

Five takeaways from St. Paul’s Mayor Kaohly Her’s first budget proposal.
Primary election: Ramsey County Board, Roseville, Maplewood results.
Brian Mueller, Jeremy Bolen are top vote-getters in Washington County’s sheriff primary.
St. Paul City Council gives itself powers over trash contracts.
St. Paul City Council approves $360,000 legal settlement with Bowie’s former aide.
Dakota County primary results: Who’s still in the race, by city.
St. Paul may settle defamation case with $360,000 to former council aid.
Data center lawsuit could cost Inver Grove Heights taxpayers millions; path to avoid it moves forward.
St. Paul City Council votes 5-2 to block ‘Right to Repair’ from November ballot.
With Aug. 11 deadline, Right to Repair advocates take St. Paul to court.
Judge orders St. Paul to put Tenant Right to Repair initiative on November ballot.
Minnesota Supreme Court decision keeps right to repair question on St. Paul ballot.
Downtown St. Paul’s skyrocketing small business growth.
Investor: Relighting 1st Nat’l Bank sign is first step in reviving downtown.
Ramsey County to get a new commissioner, replacing 30-year veteran.
Mayor Kaohly Her allegations come at a critical moment for St. Paul.
St. Paul agency unveils 11 ‘deeply affordable’ townhomes in North End, West Side.
What would happen next if St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her resigns amid sexual harassment allegations?
(OPINION) Olson: Why I’m suspicious of the Kaohly Her allegations ― and you should be, too.
St. Paul closing homeless encampment as part of larger dismantling of camps.
Minneapolis budget pre-season underway with property taxes at play.
St. Paul City Council approves golf course night lighting, mini-golf.
Sexual harassment or personality clash? Kaohly Her allegations raise legal, political questions.
Minneapolis mayor proposes millions in cuts, over 100 job cuts and 11.3% property tax increase.
Dakota County grappling with a potential rise in property taxes.
Minneapolis mayor defends millions spent in police overtime amid 2026's crisis events.
How downtown Saint Paul has benefited from Common Cent 1% sales tax hike.
Hastings joins list of cities proposing data center moratoriums.
Minnesota DHS rolls out eligibility tool ahead of federal Medicaid work requirement changes.
Tensions rise as Hennepin County asks Met Council to cover Blue Line $225M shortfall.
A new homeless encampment has popped up in St. Paul’s West End.
West St. Paul joins cities suspending or ending Flock camera programs.
Cottage Grove votes to halt EMS services for neighboring cities.
Forest Lake mayor’s appointment to watershed district board approved.
(OPINION) Kaohly Her has a vision, it just isn’t the one her critics are looking for.
Washington County has rare open judicial seat: Here’s who’s running.
Drones will improve public safety in Minneapolis ― we just need to get it right.
Gold Line rapid transit bus will soon reach downtown Minneapolis.
Eagan Council approves settlement agreement with Ryan Companies, Gopher Resource.

IN STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS

Minnesota primary election results 2026.
(OPINION) Ramstad: Minnesota’s governor primaries deliver a win for business.
Lisa Demuth wins GOP primary for governor, will face Amy Klobuchar.
Six ways Minnesota’s primary upended political assumptions.
Primary election is key stage in hiring process for Minnesota’s new governor.
Twin Cities plagued by slow economic growth, affordability issues, business leaders say.
Minnesota State Fair announces new attractions and renovations for 2026.
Highway 280 on track to reopen before State Fair. But it's still closed right now.
State, Ramsey County sue gangs to prevent MN State Fair violence.
In Minnesota, convicted fraudsters often end up with no felonies on their records.
MN paid leave premiums won’t go up next year, despite potential shortfalls.
Minnesota mom waits months for final paid leave program payment from state despite approved application change.
Minnesota has spent millions trying to stem the tide of police PTSD retirements. It isn’t working.
Minnesota tourism still growing but storm clouds are gathering, state says.
Judge calls ‘probable cause’ hearing on campaign finance complaint against Lindell.
Airports are getting help thanks to newly announced grants from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Walz: No need to extend peacetime emergency for Boundary Waters wildfires.
Minnesota is the only state with tribal dispensaries off reservations. Now others look to model it.
Minnesota’s net general fund revenues totaled $2.382 billion for the month of July, $133 million (5.9 percent) more than forecast.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Take the Saint Paul Community Branding Survey.

Saint Paul Police Department Civilian Police Academy accepting applicants.

Schedule a free premise survey with SPPD Crime Prevention team.

Saint Paul is currently seeking applicants for the Labor Standards Advisory Committee.

Dakota County is seeking members for advisory committees.

Ramsey County is seeking members for Advisory Boards and Committees.

Apply to a Washington County Advisory Board or Committee.

Minnesota Boards and Commissions Seeking Applications, The Office of the Secretary of State opened all seats on Governor appointed Boards and Commissions to begin accepting applications for appointments. People interested in serving on a state board or commission can view open board and commission positions as well as submit their application on the Office of the Secretary of State’s website.

Join a Vadnais Heights Advisory Commission.

Forest Lake is accepting applications for appointments to the Airport Commission, EDA, Parks Commission, and Planning Commission.

Saint Paul HREEO Commission Openings.

Arden Hills seeking applicants for Advisory Commissions and Committees.

Saint Paul’s Capital Improvement Budget Committee seeks applicants.

Join the Ramsey County District 3 Small Business Collaborative.

Saint Paul seeking names for new park at The Heights.

Take the Saint Paul Audit Committee topic suggestions survey.

Roseville is seeking applicants for four citizen advisory commissions.

Apply for the Capitol Outreach for Revitalization & Expansion (CORE) Grant Program.

Apply to join the Lake Elmo Planning Commission.

Take the Harriet Island Planning Survey.

Rondo Streets Study- Phase 3 Draft Concepts Survey.

Lake Elmo seeking feedback on upcoming development at the City-owned 180 acres.

Downtown St. Paul Safety Experience Survey 25-26.

Burnsville Park Buildings Master Plan Survey.

Take Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkin’s 2027 Budget & Tax Survey.

TOWN HALLS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Saint Paul Ward 7 Budget Event w/ Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

August 13, 5:30-7:00pm, Battle Creek Rec Center – 75 Winthrop St S, St. Paul, MN 55119

Office Hours w/ Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong

August 14, 12:00pm, RSVP for Virtual Meeting
August 21, 12:00pm, RSVP for Virtual Meeting

Office Hours w/ Farmington Mayor Nick Lien

August 14, 9-11:00am, Farmington City Hall – 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024
August 17, 3-4:30pm, Farmington City Hall – 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024

Office Hours w/ Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

August 14, 12-1:00pm, Swede Hollow Café – 725 7th St E, St. Paul, MN 55106
August 21, 12-1:00pm, Swede Hollow Café – 725 7th St E, St. Paul, MN 55106

St. Paul Police Department Western District Monthly Community Meeting

August 18, 9:00am and 6:00pm, SPPD Western District - 389 Hamline Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104

St. Paul Police Department Eastern District Monthly Community Meeting

August 18, 9:00am and 6:00pm, SPPD Eastern District – 722 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55130

Office Hours w/ Ramsey County Commissioner Kelly Miller

August 19, 10:30am–12:30pm, Maplewood Library – 3025 Southlawn Drive, Maplewood, MN 55109
August 20, 12:30–2:00pm, White Bear Lake Library - 2150 2nd Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
August 20, 3–4:00pm, North Saint Paul Library – 2300 N. St. Paul Drive, North Saint Paul, MN 55109

Ramsey County Hosting Rice Creek Boulevard Open House

August 19, 5-7:00pm, Ramsey County Public Works Facility – 1425 Paul Kirkwold Dr., Arden Hills, MN 55112

Downtown Action Series w/ Council President Rebecca Noecker

August 27, 4:30-6:00pm, Union Depot - 214 4th St E · Saint Paul, MN 55101

County Road 50/County Road 5 Interchange Public Open House

August 27, 4–6:00pm, Hennen Pavilion at Antlers Park - 20141 Ipava Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044

Saint Paul Ward 1 Budget Event w/ Councilmember Anika Bowie

September 4, 5-7:00pm, Frogtown Community Center – 230 Como Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55103

Saint Paul Ward 5 Budget Event w/ Councilmember HwaJeong Kim

September 10, 6-7:30pm, North End Community Center – 145 Lawson Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55117 55103

Saint Paul Ward 4 Budget Event w/ Councilmember Molly Coleman

September 14, 6-7:30pm, Hancock Recreation Center – 1610 Hubbard Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Saint Paul Ward 2 Budget Event w/ Council President Rebecca Noecker

October 6, 5:30-6:30pm, Palace Community Center – 781 Palace Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102

ELECTED OFFICIALS, LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTS, AND COMMS STAFF:

Help us help you spread the word about engagement opportunities, town halls, listening sessions, etc. in the East Metro. If you have news to share, please be sure to send it to JP for inclusion in the newsletter!