November saw Minnesota's largest voter turnout for a midterm in the past 12 years
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Here’s a quick look at news across the state this Thursday morning.
November saw Minnesota's largest voter turnout for a midterm in the past 12 years
More than 2.8 million people voted in this year’s election, which accounts for more than 64 percent of eligible voters. That’s according to unofficial numbers from the Secretary of State. That's about 300-thousand more votes than the last midterm election in 2022.
Democrat Jake Johnson claims victory in 1st congressional district, race appears headed to recount
Unofficial results show Johnson with a 323 vote lead over Republican Brad Finstad for the southern Minnesota seat. Johnson held a victory party in Rochester last night, telling supporters they overcame long odds to defeat the incumbent.
Finstad’s campaign has not yet indicated if they will seek a recount, but because of the razor thin margin, under state law, he is entitled to a taxpayer-funded one.
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State Senate seat in western Minnesota still up in the air
Four votes. That's how much Republican Austin Peterson is winning by. He could unseat the incumbent DFL state Senator Rob Kupec in Moorhead. But the thin margin means the votes will be recounted.
While the vote difference is slim, the spending difference in this race was huge. As of Oct. 19, outside groups spent $2.2 million supporting Peterson's bid. Meanwhile, Kupec supporters spent just $800,000.
The outcome will help determine the size of the DFL majority.
Hearings continue for those indicted January anti-ICE protest at Cities Church
The 39 defendants are fighting for all charges to be dropped. The indictment in this case does not include any allegations that defendants used force, threatened violence or blockaded church exits or entrances. So defendants are asking Judges why they were ever charged in the first place.
One motion alleges vindictive prosecution and points to White House social media posts. Defendant and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong was the subject of a doctored photo posted to the White House X account.
Voter turnout up in Minnesota's midterm election
Democrat Jake Johnson claims victory, but recount likely in 1st District race with Finstad
