The Dakota Dispatch

Category: Election

  • Sen. Smith Fades Away

    Sen. Smith Fades Away

    Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 2025 – Sen. Tina Smith announced she won’t seek reelection to a U.S. Senate seat originally handed to her by political appointment, opening the floodgates to a field of mediocre candidates seeking to take her place, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and Ilhan Omar.

    Smith’s tenure was unextraordinary. She primarily walked lockstep with progressive liberals supporting radical legislation related to climate change and abortion. Her main function seemed to be standing behind her fellow Minnesota senator, Amy Klobuchar, at press conferences nodding in agreement.

    Smith was first appointed to the Senate in 2017, following the forced resignation of Sen. Al Franken, a former television comedian “cancelled” during the Me Too movement, a campaign against sexual harassment.

    Smith’s fundraising was below average, according to campaign financing reports. At about $3 million, her funding was a fraction of Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s $21 million. Donations came from a few large corporations and banks, some individuals, and out-of-state political action committees and donors, according to campaign finance reports.

    Smith recently sought to alter local zoning laws under the guise of providing “affordable housing,” a measure that many believe will hurt neighborhoods.

    • Klobuchar Confronts Kash

      Klobuchar Confronts Kash

      Washington, D.C. , Jan. 30, 2025 – Sen. Amy Klobuchar is behaving badly.

            After an angry performance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, where she seemed determined not to acknowledge his election by referencing him by name and title, Klobuchar this week lashed out at Trump’s cabinet nominations.  Klobuchar confronted FBI director nominee Kash Patel with a podcast transcripts and past alleged statements like an angry ex-wife bringing up ancient history.

            During cross-examination at Patel’s confirmation hearing this week, Klobuchar accused Patel of having an “enemies list.”

            “The only thing this body is doing is defeating the credibility of the men and women of the FBI,” Patel replied to Klobuchar. Patel reminded Klobuchar he had been endorsed by more than 300,000 law enforcement officers to be the next FBI director.

       Klobuchar’s fellow senators criticized her for going three minutes over her 7-minute time limit to criticize Patel.

      Klobuchar left the hearing early.

    • Quade, Huot Continue Vacation

      Quade, Huot Continue Vacation

      EAGAN, Minn. Jan. 27, 2024 – State sen. Erin Maye Quade and rep. John Huot, never known for their work ethic, have continued their vacation from the legislature, refusing to show up for work.

         Quade and Huot have claimed they are shirking their duties as part of boycott by democrat state legislators.

         While families have been hurt by chaos at the state unemployment insurance agency, Quade, a democrat puppet, has limited her focus to canned legislative bills written by the national democrat committee. The issues Quade has focused on include “hair discrimination” and so-called “deep fake” videos, which Quade introduced by appearing in a video with a blurred background. Quade refused to produce an unedited version of the video showing from where she was speaking.

         The state legislators have provided no explanation of their whereabouts or when they will return to work.

    • Klobuchar Seeks Inaugural Spotlight

      Klobuchar Seeks Inaugural Spotlight

      Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2025 – Minnesota senator and failed presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar inserted herself into the Presidential Inauguration this week as head of the bipartisan committee.

         Klobuchar, who has vocally opposed President Donald Trump, appeared annoyed as Trump made his inaugural address to the nation. Dressed in everyday business clothes, she wore a smug expression and rolled her eyes as President Trump spoke. She showed little concern about the technical issues during the event, such as when singer Carrie Underwood’s accompanying music failed to play. Underwood behaved like a consummate professional and sang without the planned accompaniment, encouraging the audience to join in for a patriotic sing-a-long.

    • Virnig Sues, You Pay

      Virnig Sues, You Pay

      Taxpayers are stuck with the legal bills for Minnesota state rep Bianca Virnig’s employment issues. The state legislature approved $10,391.40 in legal fees for Virnig, a state representative installed by special election last summer.

      The legal fees stemmed from Virnig’s dispute with her employer, BrightWorks, which provides services to the school district. Virnig claimed the nonprofit cut her hours after she devoted her time to campaigning and holding office.

      Virnig was unsuccessful for her first run for office. Like many democratic candidates, she then ran for ISD 196’s school board and won after receiving an endorsement from the district’s teachers’ union. She was part of an entire board comprised of teachers’ union-endorsed candidates, which approved pay raises for teachers and staff, special “bonuses” for administrators, and large budget increases.

    • Showing Support

      Trump supporters showed enthusiastic support in the 2024 Presidential election, such as this display in Lakeville. In the interest of fairness, we looked for a similar Walz display. There were none.