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Politics Friday

Politics Friday podcast art
Politics Friday
MPR News

On Fridays, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst discusses Minnesota politics — the latest from the legislature, election news and more. Join us Fridays at noon for interviews with lawmakers, candidates and political experts, including the MPR News politics reporting team.

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Gov. Tim Walz reflects on Democrats’ shortcomings, return to Minnesota as political ground shifts

Gov. Tim Walz reflects on Democrats’ shortcomings, return to Minnesota as political ground shifts

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is back at the Capitol and reacclimating to life after his vice presidential bid. Politics Friday host Brian Bakst and senior politics reporter Dana Ferguson unpack an interview with Walz about three months on the national stage and what awaits next year.
by Brian Bakst, Dana Ferguson and Matthew Alvarez

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Politics Friday: Trump’s path to the White House began at the Iowa Caucuses

Politics Friday: Trump’s path to the White House began at the Iowa Caucuses

MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters looks back on the 2024 election campaign for the Iowa Caucus to election events leading up to this week when President-elect Trump stepped back into the White House.
by Clay Masters, Matthew Alvarez and Catharine Richert

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Politics Friday: The voters have spoken, but sent a muddled message for Minnesota’s Legislature

Politics Friday: The voters have spoken, but sent a muddled message for Minnesota’s Legislature

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the Minnesota Legislature and how the state will govern in 2025 with both chambers split virtually down the middle.  
by Brian Bakst, Ellie Roth and Matthew Alvarez

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Politics Friday: Minnesota campaigns, parties gear up for Election Day

Politics Friday: Minnesota campaigns, parties gear up for Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, so how might it shake out? MPR News host Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the closing days of the 2024 campaign and what to watch for when the results come in on election night. 
by Brian Bakst, Matthew Alvarez and Ellie Roth

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Politics Friday: The race to lead the Minnesota Legislature

Politics Friday: The race to lead the Minnesota Legislature

Minnesota’s Capitol could have a far different feel next January, or the cast of state leaders could be much the same. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with DFL and Republican lawmakers about what’s on the line for the state Legislature in the Nov. 5 election.  
by Brian Bakst, Matthew Alvarez and Ellie Roth

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Politics Friday: The 2024 election will determine who presides in Minnesota courtrooms, remember there are judges on your ballot

Politics Friday: The 2024 election will determine who presides in Minnesota courtrooms, remember there are judges on your ballot

There are about 100 races on Minnesota’s election ballots that won’t get that much attention, and they’re all about judgeships. MPR News politics editor and his guests talk about judicial elections and why they’re different here than in other states. 
by Brian Bakst, Matthew Alvarez and Ellie Roth

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Battle to shore up bases remains as Election Day nears

Battle to shore up bases remains as Election Day nears

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guest talks about deadly conflicts in the Middle East and how those have factored into domestic politics. Plus, we follow up with two Generation Z voters about how they’re approaching the election.
by Brian Bakst, Matthew Alvarez and Ellie Roth

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Politics Friday: Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District debate

Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District is one of the most closely watched races in the nation. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst moderated a debate between Democratic Rep. Angie Craig and Republican candidate Joe Teirab on Friday, Oct. 4.
by Brian Bakst, Matthew Alvarez and Ellie Roth

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Politics Friday: Poll shows Harris with narrow Minnesota lead, but what else can we glean from it?

Politics Friday: Poll shows Harris with narrow Minnesota lead, but what else can we glean from it?

With new candidates on the Democratic ticket and former president Donald Trump atop the Republican ticket for a third time, a new Minnesota poll shows Kamala Harris with an edge. Coming up Friday at noon, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Minnesota journalists about the poll results.
by Brian Bakst, Matthew Alvarez, Ellie Roth and Alanna Elder

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Politics Friday: Know your ballot picks? It’s time to vote in Minnesota

Politics Friday: Know your ballot picks? It’s time to vote in Minnesota

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Secretary of State Steve Simon about early voting and election mechanics in Minnesota. Later, a look at the political landscape with two people active in their parties.
by Brian Bakst, Ellie Roth and Matthew Alvarez

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