Capitol View for December 3

Good morning. Happy 1-2-3 day.

Republicans are going ahead with a court challenge in a Shakopee area race where DFL Rep. Brad Tabke edged out Republican Aaron Paul by 14 votes. In a legal filing known as an election contest, Paul’s attorney said the 14-vote margin by Tabke isn’t definitive because there are 20-some absentee ballots officials couldn’t locate. Scott County officials say their investigation determined the ballots were accidentally discarded and probably won’t be found. Even if they could be, Paul would have to win almost all of them to overtake Tabke. Nevertheless, Paul is asking a court to invalidate the election certificate awarded to Tabke last week. If that’s the outcome, it would effectively leave the seat empty and force a special election. With Tabke’s win notching a seat for Democrats, the House is slated to be tied 67 to 67 . So the outcome of this case is crucial. The judge’s findings — should there be some — would be forwarded to the House, making it a live issue on day one of the 2025 session.

A Minneapolis state senator is running for mayor next year, a shot he can take without surrendering his seat. Second-term Sen. Omar Fateh formally launched his campaign Monday at city hall. He’ll have plenty of company in the 2025 race, including incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey. A reminder that Minneapolis uses ranked choice voting . Fateh identifies as a Democratic Socialist. Fateh said he’d champion progressive causes as mayor, leaning on his advocacy for free college for students from low- to middle-income families and his ride-share driver protection legislation. He’s also introduced legislation to make Minnesota a sanctuary state for immigrants by prohibiting state and local officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities to deport people. The mayoral position and control of the city council are on the 2025 ballot. In a statement, Frey's campaign spokesperson said the mayor looks “forward to presenting voters with a clear choice between two contrasting visions for the future of Minneapolis.” The statement also said Fateh would align with “the most extreme voices on the City Council.”

There is a bipartisan uproar over President Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son, Hunter. The president pardoned his son late Sunday evening, reversing his previous pledges with a grant of clemency that covers more than a decade of any federal crimes his son might have committed, arguing that his son’s prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated. Republicans said Biden lied to the American people about his willingness to pardon his son and they question the blanket nature of the pardon. Some Democrats believe Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump, who has argued that multiple indictments and one conviction were also politically motivated.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is expected to be tapped for Senate Democrats’ No. 3 spot in caucus leadership elections next week. Politico reports that’s according to two people familiar with the shuffling. That means Klobuchar would fill the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair, which heads the policy-making arm of the Senate and has the authority to conduct oversight investigations and hold public hearings focused on government accountability. Klobuchar is currently the No. 4 Senate Democrat and would ascend to fill a position left open from Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s retirement.

After years of delays, a revived taconite mine near Nashwauk is offering new economic hope on Minnesota’s Iron Range. The controversial project known as Mesabi Metallics has been in the works for more than two decades — and was promoted by and frustrated a series of governors from Tim Pawlenty on. It could be the first new taconite mine in Minnesota in nearly 50 years. Dan Kraker reports the $2 billion-plus mining project has weathered an economic recession, missed deadlines and payments, bankruptcy, changes in ownership, three gubernatorial administrations and a high-stakes legal battle with a competitor.