Daily Digest: 11-05-08
Minnesotans turned out in large numbers yesterday, but didn't quite reach the goal of 80 percent that the Secretary of State's office was hoping for.
After a long night, (most of) the results are in:
President
Sen. Barack Obama has been elected in an electoral landslide, 349-147. Here's AP's story.
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Minnesota goes for Obama.
And this margin could still grow; we're still waiting for results from North Carolina and Missouri.
McCain concedes gracefully in Arizona. And Obama gives his victory speech to a crowd of 65,000 in Chicago's Grant Park.
U.S. Senate
The Democrats have gained at least five seats in the Senate, with the results from four more races uncertain.
One of these races is right here in Minnesota. Incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman has won, but by less than 1,000 votes. But a mandatory recount will occur since the margin is less than one half of one percent.
Sen. Coleman and DFL challenger Al Franken each won 42 percent of the vote, with Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley winning 15 percent.
U.S. House
Democrats have gained about 20 seats in the U.S. House.
But none of those seats are in Minnesota. All of our incumbents are re-elected, including Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann in the 6th Congressional District.
Retiring Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad's seat will stay within in the party. Erik Paulsen defeats DFL challenger Ashwin Madia, 48 to 41 percent. IP candidate David Dillon won 10 percent of the vote.
Constitutional Amendement
Voters pass the proposed constitutional amendment, which will provide funding for outdoors and the arts and the raise the sales tax by three-eights of a percent beginning next July. It passed 56 to 39 percent.
MN Legislature
The DFL appears to have gained two seats in the MN House, but failed to gain the five needed for a veto-proof supermajority.
Schools
So far, school referenda have had split results. 35 questions have passed and 38 have failed. Reporter Tom Weber has put together a nifty map where you can see how districts voted across the state.
Voters in Minneapolis pass a measure that expands the School Board from seven to nine members and changes the way they are elected.
Judicial races
Two Minnesota Supreme Court justices successfully defend their seats. Justices Lorie Skjerven Gildea and Paul Anderson are re-elected.