Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she's running for governor of Minnesota, promising to take on President Donald Trump’s administration and unify the state after a series of challenges.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Thursday she is running for governor of Minnesota, promising to take on Donald Trump while unifying a state that has endured a series of challenges even before the federal government’s immigration crackdown.

Klobuchar’s decision gives Democrats a high-profile candidate and proven statewide winner as their party tries to hold onto the office occupied by Gov. Tim Walz.

Klobuchar cited Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota, federal officers killing two Minnesotans who protested, the assassination of a state legislative leader and a school shooting that killed multiple children — all within the last year. She avoided direct mention of ongoing fraud investigations into the child care programs that Trump has made a political cudgel.

  • dcpDarkMatter@kbin.earth
    1·
    11 hours ago

    The “moderate swing voter” that the DNC leadership and the billionaire-owned media pretend to be the end-all be-all for Democrats has been a critically endangered species for decades while the politically disenfranchised Left takes up at least a third of eligible voters nationwide and even more in states with strong union traditions like Minnesota.

    I agree that the swing voter demo is largely a myth of the ruling class, but there are a fair amount of moderate voters, but they mainly identify with one of the two major parties.

    You sure about that? Because people like Omar, Walz, Franken, and Norm Coleman all seem (with the exception of parts of Walz’ platform) to be MUCH more progressive than the majority of Democrats from Neoliberal bastions like New York, California, and Chicago.

    Franken only won by like 300ish votes, IIRC, during the recount. Coleman became a Republican, so yes, he was definitely more moderate. Or at least more willing to forfeit his principals for continued power. And the last time he ran as a Dem was 1996. Omar is very progressive, not even a question. But she represents one of the bluest portions of an already blue state. Even our first-ring districts are closer to purple - the 2nd district is only D+3; the 3rd is propped up by Bloomington, else it would be more competitive.

    And yes, the Farm Labor part has been shrinking. Outstate areas haven’t necessarily become more conservative, but the aforementioned Fox-ification has turned a lot of rural voters against those who would better represent and promote their needs. Propaganda is a hell of a drug - and de-propagandizing them will take a long time, unfortunately. We definitely have our work cut out for ourselves.

    Yet Omar won her election by a HUGE margin last time, Klobuchar much less so. Partially BECAUSE of her national profile as a darling of the Left.

    Yes, this is true. Her increased exposure, especially after the formation of the Squad, has propelled her higher than would reasonably be expected otherwise. Our next most progressive Representative is likely unknown to most people that aren’t political nerds or live in her district, even though they’ve voted in tandem for much of their time in the House.