Capitol View for October 30

Good morning. Another week with lots in store.

The newest presidential race entrant, Minnesota Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, remains on a kickoff swing in New Hampshire. MPR’s Mark Zdechlik followed him on stops this weekend . He says Phillips received a polite reception and some pledges of support. But he also encountered skepticism over his chances to upend a Democratic nomination contest that heavily favors President Joe Biden. As he tours the state, Phillips is constantly flanked by his hired security detail, composed of several former secret service officers – a reflection of today’s bitter partisan divides. He got plenty of news coverage when he announced last Friday, but not so much on his first full day of campaigning. Mark notes that Phillips will hold his first town hall forum as a presidential candidate on Wednesday.

That happens to be the same day President Biden drops in on Minnesota. He’s set to visit a family farm in the state as the White House focuses on rural issues. The federal farm bill awaits approval. Minnesota Republican Rep. Brad Finstad is among members of the House pushing the new GOP speaker to get it done soon. Biden will squeeze in some fundraising while in Minnesota at an event hosted by the sons of former Gov. Mark Dayton, DFL Chair Ken Martin and super donors Vance Opperman and Alida Messinger, according to an invitation.

And yet more 2024-related action: On Thursday, the Minnesota Supreme Court takes up a case seeking to bar former President Donald Trump from ballots. It’s rooted in a seldom invoked constitutional clause contending Trump should be deemed ineligible because he “engaged in insurrection.” Trump’s campaign and his allies say that interpretation of his Jan. 6 actions is a stretch. We’ll have more in the leadup to that hearing, but it’s similar to legal action in Colorado where justices also have oral arguments scheduled this week as well. Check out Colorado Public Radio’s preview.

In case you missed it this weekend, there is one fewer Republican hopeful seeking the presidency. Former Vice President Mike Pence ended his bid over the weekend. Some Republicans harbored resentment over Pence’s refusal to prevent certification of the 2020 election results.

Disputes over a new voter rights law are playing out in two Minnesota courts . The Court of Appeals wants briefs filed by today in an action filed over a Mille Lacs County District Court judge’s sentences that bar some non-incarcerated defendants from voting, contrary to the new law. Meanwhile, MPR’s Matt Sepic says Anoka County judge is due to hear arguments this morning in a separate challenge to the law. The measure allows people with felonies but out of custody to cast ballots even if they remain on supervised release. A conservative group sued to block the law, arguing that lawmakers overstepped their authority. Attorneys hoping to fend off the challenge say the plaintiffs have no legal basis to seek "an unprecedented act of judicial activism" to disenfranchise voters.