MN-06

Money Pours Into Bachmann's District From Across The Country

Eric Kleefeld | April 19, 2010, 10:12AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) national profile, with her heated rhetoric against President Obama and the Democrats for what she has called their Marxism and tyranny, has attracted a lot of attention in her suburban Minnesota district -- with the race becoming nationalized politically, and money coming in from all around.

The Star Tribune reports that 63% of Bachmann's donations in the first quarter of 2010 came from outside the state. On the Democratic side, the party's endorsed candidate state Sen. Tarryl Clark has seen 30% of her major donations come from outside Minnesota, and former state university regent Maureen Reed has seen 10% of her donations major donations come from out of state.

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MN-06

Bachmann Raises Over $810K In First Quarter 2010

Eric Kleefeld | April 16, 2010, 1:22PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) had a very strong fundraising quarter, taking in over $810,000 for the first three months of 2010, and $1.5 million cash on hand.

Overall, Bachmann has raised a total of $2.4 million so far during campaign cycle. For the two Democrats competing to run against her, state Sen. Tarryl Clark has raised $1.1 million since entering the race last summer, and former state university regent Maureen Reed has raised $1 million, including $250,000 of her own money.

Professor Larry Jacobs at the University of Minnesota told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the massive amounts of money both for and against Bachmann can be explained as thus: "I think it's one word: passion."

MN-06

Minnesota Dems Endorse Candidate Against Bachmann, But Primary Still Awaits

Eric Kleefeld | March 29, 2010, 1:23PM

MN-06 Democratic candidates Tarryl Clark and Maureen Reed

Minnesota Democrats have officially endorsed a candidate to run against Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), the darling of the Tea Party right. But the process isn't over, and there will still be a primary in August.

The district-level convention of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party endorsed state Sen. Tarryl Clark, who has long been supported by other Democratic elected officials and key unions. The other candidate is Maureen Reed, former state University regent and 2006 Independence Party nominee for lieutenant governor -- and she will still be contesting the nomination in the primary.

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Michele Bachmann

Poll: Bachmann Popular In Her District -- Her Constituents Don't Think She's An Extremist!

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 12:23PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

A new survey by Public Policy Polling (D) finds that Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) high profile as a conservative firebrand doesn't seem to be hurting her back home -- in fact, a majority of her constituents approve of her job performance, and they don't think she's an extremist.

Bachmann's approval rating is 53%, with 41% disapproval. She leads both of her Democratic opponents by substantial margins, ahead of state Sen. Tarryl Clark by 55%-37%, and leading former University of Minnesota regent Maureen Reed by 53%-37%. The pollster notes that the challengers have low name recognition, but the points stands that a well-known incumbent is over the 50-percent mark.

Respondents were also asked: "Do you consider Michele Bachmann's political views to be extremist?" Here the answer is 37% yes, 54% no. This might seem a bit odd; you'd think that usually people would consider it extreme to repeatedly call for revolution, express concerns about census data being used to create internment camps, and warn against "government re-education camps."

Bachmann's district is always tough ground for Democrats. George W. Bush carried it by double-digit margins twice, and John McCain held on to it by 53%-45%. President Obama's approval rating is only 39% in this district, with 55% disapproval. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is at 45%-43%, and Democratic Sen. Al Franken is at 37%-53%. If the horse-race numbers hold up in 2010, then it would be the first time that Bachmann herself would get over 51% support at the polls.

"Michele Bachmann's constituents don't seem to mind her penchant for controversial comments," said PPP president Dean Debnam, in the polling memo. "Given how poorly national Democrats rate in the district they probably agree with a lot of them."

MN-06

Two Dems Report Strong Fundraising Against Bachmann

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2009, 4:53PM

MN-06 Democratic candidates Tarryl Clark and Maureen Reed

Both Democrats seeking the nomination to run against Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) have reported strong fundraising totals -- though they'll first have to spend it in competition for the Dem nod.

State Sen. Tarryl Clark has raised $308,015, her campaign announced, after having just gotten into the race with nine weeks left in the third quarter. She has just under $270,000 cash on hand. Clark has quickly emerged as the Democratic establishment's candidate, with the support of the state AFL-CIO, SEIU, AFSCME, and various elected officials and other organizations.

Maureen Reed, a former state university regent and the 2006 Independence Party nominee for Lt. Governor, raised over $130,000 in the third quarter, and has over $300,000 cash on hand. "Maureen now sits with over $300,000 cash on hand, all of which was raised without relying on endorsements from prominent individuals or special interests," campaign manager Jason Isaacson said in a press release. "This outpouring of support shows that our message of creating jobs, fixing healthcare, and reducing the national debt is resonating with people."