Capitol View®

The Daily Digest: Senate fundraising numbers out

Good morning!

In Minnesota

DFL Sen. Al Franken’ s campaign raised a record $4.2 million in the three months ending Sept. 30. (MPR News)

Franken's Republican opponent, Mike McFadden, raised “more than” $2 million in the three months ending Sept. 30, nearly double McFadden’s previous best fundraising quarter. (MPR News)

The manager of McFadden’s campaign is disputing a poll that shows Franken with an 18 point lead over McFadden. (MPR News)

In their first face-to-face exchange before the November election, 8th District Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan and Republican challenger Stewart Mills went on the offensive. (MPR News)

During the debate, Mills said it wasn't accurate to describe him as a supporter of the tea party. Hours later, a major tea party group endorsed Mills. (Star Tribune)

In their first debate of the year, the Democratic and Republican candidates running in the 1

st

Congressional District sought to distance themselves from their respective parties, saying they would vote with their constituents – not party leadership – in mind. (MPR News)

Comedian Bill Maher campaigned in Northfield against 2nd District GOP Rep. John Kline. (AP via Star Tribune)

AFL-CIO leaders decried what they say is Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson’s opposition to increasing Minnesota’s minimum wage. (Star Tribune)

Republicans in the Minnesota Senate have filed another ethics complaint against a second DFL lawmaker, whom they accuse of betraying the public trust. (MPR News)

Republicans are focusing on a Morris area DFL lawmaker in their drive to re-take the statehouse. (Star Tribune)

The political arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities is putting dollars behind their frustration over a new requirement that homes larger than 4,500 square feet include indoor sprinklers. (MPR News)

National Politics

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to spend $25 million in the month before the midterm elections as part of a final push to elect centrist-oriented candidates of both parties. (New York Times)

A memoir by former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that's critical of President Obama is becoming fodder for election season attacks on Democrats. (The Hill)

Meet the Libertarian Party candidate who could swing the North Carolina Senate race. He's a pizza delivery driver. (Bloomberg News)