As one news account summarized, “For a moribund party, Democrats in the span of 24 hours are showing some signs of life.”

MPR News politics editor and host Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the Democratic National Committee’s election of a new party chair and the Minnesotan who’s campaigning for the job. Later, a conversation with newly elected Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash.

The Supreme Court on Friday cancelled the special election for a metro House race later this month, finding Gov. Tim Walz set the date before state law requires.

On Tuesday, Iowa Democrats notched an upset victory in a state Senate district that Donald Trump won by more than 20 points, and Minnesota Democrats retook their Senate majority in the statehouse. Meanwhile,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s cybersecurity agency has played a critical role in helping states shore up the defenses of their voting systems, but its election mission appears uncertain amid sustained criticism from Republicans and key figures in the Trump administration.

The DFL's Doron Clark faces Republican Abigail Wolters in the Senate District 60 special election, which includes northeast Minneapolis and the U of M campus.

Minnesota DFLers defended their control of the Minnesota Senate on Tuesday after Doron Clark won the District 60 special election.

A special election for Minnesota Senate District 60 to fill a vacancy left after Sen. Kari Dziedzic died of cancer in December has been decided, and its result shifts the majority of power in the Minnesota Senate.

Democratic candidate Doron Clark has won a special election for a vacant Minnesota Senate seat, giving Democrats control of the upper chamber, according to Decision Desk HQ. Clark, who works at

Minnesota legislators are paid $51,750 annually —about $1,000 a week before taxes — to represent their constituents, pass bills and set state budgets at the Capitol. But the 66 Democrats in the Minnesota House haven’t shown up to the Capitol during this year’s legislative session,

Dziedzic died following a battle with ovarian cancer at 62 years old. She was first diagnosed with cancer in early 2023 and stepped down as the Minnesota Senate Majority leader last February after learning her cancer had returned. The balance of power in the Minnesota Senate currently stands at a 33-33 tie.