2 Iron Range lawmakers spilt with Senate Democratic Caucus (Minn)

[brooklynite]

Daily Journal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Two veteran state senators from the Iron Range broke with other Democrats on Wednesday to form their own independent caucus in a closely divided legislative chamber.

Sens. Tom Bakk, of Cook, and David Tomassoni, of Chisholm, said in a statement that they’ve left the Senate Democratic Caucus to start a caucus for moderates that will also focus on the economic interests of northern Minnesota. They expect to become committee chairs.

Minnesota Public Radio reported that the split will give Republicans a bit more breathing room heading into a 2021 session where they were facing a one-seat majority. The lineup now will be 34 Republicans, 31 Democrats and the two independents. Democrats will keep their majority in the Minnesota House.

“We are not going to become Republicans. That’s not what this is about. That’s not who we are,” Bakk told MPR. “We’re going to do our very best to vote what’s in the best interest in our districts. Sometimes that will be be with Republicans. Sometimes that will be with Democrats.”

If memory serves, several Democratic Iron Range Mayors endorsed Trump.

[dflprincess]

1. Strange that if they were so unhappy with the DFL they didn't split

and run as Independents before the election.

They kind of played a bait and switch on the Democratic voters in their districts.

[brooklynite]

2. Pretty much the same as the IDC in New York.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. I suppose they want to

run some Guy who does not have a clue for Governor once again. Couple things these two dolts need to understand. Minnesota Iron Ore can not compete on a World Market scale. The quality of the Ore is poor to start with,and the single largest user of Ore is China and they just shut down purchases because of to much inventory on hand. The Range boom ended in 1960,from that time forward,it has one bail out after the other. Sad to say,the only thing left is Tourism.