The Daily Digest (Two more Republicans in gubernatorial race, Franken not ‘top target’ for GOP)
Welcome to the Monday edition of The Daily Digest.
In Minnesota, two more Republicans throw their hats in the ring for governor.
And despite predictions that he would provide easy pickings for Republicans in 2014, U.S. Sen. Al Franken doesn't appear to be a main target of national Republicans, who need to win six seats to regain Senate control.
Zellers announces bid for governor (MPR News) Former Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers has announced that he’s running against DFL Gov. Mark Dayton in 2014. During the announcement on Sunday, Zellers defined himself as aligned with the values and experiences of the middle class. Republican businessman Scott Honour and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson have already formally announced they're running.
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Republican Dave Thompson running for governor (MPR News) Republican state Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville said he plans to file campaign paperwork today with a formal announcement later in the week.
Sen. Al Franken not 'top target' for Senate Republicans in 2014 (Associated Press via Star Tribune) Despite squeaking by in his initial Senate victory, Franken enjoys approval ratings of slightly more than 50 percent. Thus far, the field of GOP contenders is considered to be weak.
Q&A: Rep. Collin Peterson on defeat of farm bill (MPR News) Following the defeat of the farm bill, Peterson said Republican amendments cost the bill Democratic support.
Klobuchar, Brown tell Ohio Dem dinner guests they can win elections next year (The Examiner) At an annual dinner of Ohio Democrats, Klobuchar said she supports a federal law that allows same-day registration for voters, although she warned that the proposal wouldn't pass the GOP-dominated House. Klobuchar also emphasized the importance of maintaining the Democratic majority in the Senate.
Pelosi's defense of civilian surveillance programs draws boos from liberal fans in Calif. (Star Tribune) Participants at the Netroots Nation political conference heckled House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi after she defended the Obama administration’s secret surveillance programs on Saturday.
States Reined In by 1965 Voting Act Await a Decision (New York Times) A decision is expected in the case of a 1965 bill that requires nine states with a history of racial discrimination to submit changes to their voting systems to the Justice Department. The parties challenging the law say it’s no longer necessary, but supporters of the law say overturning it could lead to a rollback of minority rights in these states.
This Time, Greater Will to Overhaul Immigration (New York Times) If the immigration overhaul passes, it will be partly thanks to the support of conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans, some of whom helped doom similar legislation in the past.
Legal, political maneuvering let Snowden flee (Washington Post) Edward Snowden, who leaked documents verifying the existence of secret National Security Agency surveillance programs, avoided an arrest warrant from the United States while flying into Moscow this weekend.