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Reporter for @StarTribune covering politics. From St. Paul, but a @UW Husky. Email: walker.orenstein@startribune.com
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Articles by Walker Orenstein
Trump urges Minnesotans to vote for Michele Tafoya in U.S. Senate race
President Donald Trump urged voters to pick Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, the first time he has weighed in on the election this year. kAm“*@F 92G6 E@ G@E6 7@C |:496=6 %27@J2[ H9@ :D 2 G6CJ C6DA64E65 A6CD@?[” %CF>A D2:5 2E 2 C2==J :? *@F?8DE@H?[ ~9:@[ @? |@?52J] “$96’D G6CJ C6DA64E65]”k^Am kAm%96 5:C64E:G6 >2J 96=A 7:C6 FA 2 #6AF3=:42? 32D6 E@ 9625 E@ E96 A@==D 2E 2 E:>6 H96? A@==:?8 D9@HD E96 v~! :D =6DD 6?E9FD:2DE:4 E@ G@E6 E92? s6>@4C2ED :?
Trump urges Minnesotans to vote for Michele Tafoya in US Senate race
President Donald Trump urged voters to pick Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, the first time he has weighed in on the election this year. “You have to vote for Michele Tafoya, who is a very respected person,” Trump said at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday. “She’s very respected.” The directive may help fire up a Republican base to head to the polls at a time when polling shows the GOP is less enthusiastic to vote than Democrats in Minnesota.
Trump urges Minnesotans to vote for Michele Tafoya in US Senate race
By Walker Orenstein, Star Tribune President Donald Trump urged voters to pick Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, the first time he has weighed in on the election this year. "You have to vote for Michele Tafoya, who is a very respected person," Trump said at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday. "She's very respected."
Trump urges Minnesotans to vote for Michele Tafoya in U.S. Senate race
President Donald Trump urged voters to pick Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, the first time he has weighed in on the election this year. kAm“*@F 92G6 E@ G@E6 7@C |:496=6 %27@J2[ H9@ :D 2 G6CJ C6DA64E65 A6CD@?[” %CF>A D2:5 2E 2 C2==J :? *@F?8DE@H?[ ~9:@[ @? |@?52J] “$96’D G6CJ C6DA64E65]”k^Am kAm%96 5:C64E:G6 >2J 96=A 7:C6 FA 2 #6AF3=:42? 32D6 E@ 9625 E@ E96 A@==D 2E 2 E:>6 H96? A@==:?8 D9@HD E96 v~! :D =6DD 6?E9FD:2DE:4 E@ G@E6 E92? s6>@4C2ED :?
Trump urges Minnesotans to vote for Michele Tafoya in U.S. Senate race
Trump urges Minnesotans to vote for Michele Tafoya in U.S. Senate race The directive may help fire up the Republican base but also comes as Tafoya has tried to distance herself from an unpopular president. Michele Tafoya speaks on stage during the GOP state convention in Duluth on May 29. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii) Comment Gift Share President Donald Trump urged voters to pick Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, the first time he has weighed in on the election this year.
Trump urges Minnesotans to vote for Michele Tafoya in US Senate race
President Donald Trump urged voters to pick Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, the first time he has weighed in on the election this year. “You have to vote for Michele Tafoya, who is a very respected person,” Trump said at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday. “She’s very respected.” The directive may help fire up a Republican base to head to the polls at a time when polling shows the GOP is less enthusiastic to vote than Democrats in Minnesota.
Trump urges Minnesotans to vote for Michele Tafoya in US Senate race
President Donald Trump urged voters to pick Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, the first time he has weighed in on the election this year. “You have to vote for Michele Tafoya, who is a very respected person,” Trump said at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday. “She’s very respected.” The directive may help fire up a Republican base to head to the polls at a time when polling shows the GOP is less enthusiastic to vote than Democrats in Minnesota.
Flanagan holds narrow lead over Tafoya
MINNEAPOLIS - Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate Peggy Flanagan has a modest lead over Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, one of the few seats the GOP hopes to flip in a year when the party is facing a tough political environment nationwide. The results of the latest Star Tribune/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll show Lt. Gov. Flanagan's lead coming from huge margins in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, reflecting an electorate that is unhappy with President Donald Trump.
Minnesota Poll: Flanagan holds narrow lead over Tafoya in U.S. Senate race
Minnesota Poll: Flanagan holds narrow lead over Tafoya in U.S. Senate race It’s a tight race in a year when Democrats are expected to perform well nationally and Republicans are fighting to hold on to their Senate majority. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, left, and Michele Tafoya. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share DFL Lt. Gov.
Minnesota Poll: How Minnesotans identify politically — beyond party affiliation
Minnesota Poll: How Minnesotans identify politically — beyond party affiliation A new question in the Minnesota Poll gauges voter ideology from democratic socialist to MAGA. Attendees were offered MAGA hats upon entering Northrop Auditorium in September 2025. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share Minnesota’s two biggest political parties are facing an identity crisis as the U.S. nears the end of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Minnesota Senate poll: Flanagan holds narrow lead over Tafoya
MINNEAPOLIS — Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate Peggy Flanagan has a modest lead over Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, one of the few seats the GOP hopes to flip in a year when the party is facing a tough political environment nationwide. The results of the latest Star Tribune/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll show Lt. Gov. Flanagan’s lead coming from huge margins in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, reflecting an electorate that is unhappy with President Donald Trump.
Trump's rhetoric tests Republicans' pitch in Minnesota suburbs
In a social media post Thursday afternoon, President Donald Trump accused Somali immigrants of bringing violence to Minnesota and urged residents to “fight back.” Hours earlier, Republican candidate for governor Lisa Demuth had offered a very different message. At a brewery a few miles from Eden Prairie High School, she was asked what she would say to Minnesota's Somali community after a reportedly gang-related shooting outside the school's homecoming football game injured two people.
Trump's rhetoric tests Republicans' pitch in Minnesota suburbs
In a social media post Thursday afternoon, President Donald Trump accused Somali immigrants of bringing violence to Minnesota and urged residents to "fight back." Hours earlier, Republican candidate for governor Lisa Demuth had offered a very different message. At a brewery a few miles from Eden Prairie High School, she was asked what she would say to Minnesota's Somali community after a reportedly gang-related shooting outside the school's homecoming football game injured two people.
Data center backlash strains labor’s support for Democrats
In one of Jake Johnson’s latest ads, the Democrat running for Congress in southern Minnesota says he will “invest in our small towns, not data centers” while standing in front of lush green farmland in Pine Island where Google hopes to build a massive new server farm. kAm%96 25 4@>6D :?
Data center backlash strains labor's support for Democrats
In one of Jake Johnson's latest ads, the Democrat running for Congress in southern Minnesota says he will "invest in our small towns, not data centers" while standing in front of lush green farmland in Pine Island where Google hopes to build a massive new server farm.
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In one of Jake Johnson's latest ads, the Democrat running for Congress in southern Minnesota says he will "invest in our small towns, not data centers" while standing in front
Data center backlash strains labor’s support for Democrats
Data center backlash strains labor’s support for Democrats The rapid spread of AI infrastructure has emerged as a hot political issue in the midterm elections. In Minnesota, as two Democrats running for U.S. House call for a pause on data centers, some trade unions are backing their GOP opponents. The site of a planned Google data center in Pine Island. The site is undeveloped, largely farmland.
Republicans see an opening for Tafoya, but their money is elsewhere
LE SUEUR, MINN. — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune swung through Minnesota farm country on Monday, arguing Michele Tafoya is one of a precious few Republican candidates who can flip a Senate seat and buck the expected blue wave in the midterm elections. “It seems to me that Minnesota is a perfect, perfectly good place to be on offense,” said Thune, a South Dakota Republican, while railing against fraud in Minnesota's social services programs.
Republicans see an opening for Tafoya, but their money is elsewhere
LE SUEUR, MINN. — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune swung through Minnesota farm country on Monday, arguing Michele Tafoya is one of a precious few Republican candidates who can flip a Senate seat and buck the expected blue wave in the midterm elections. kAm“xE D66>D E@ >6 E92E |:??6D@E2 :D 2 A6C764E[ A6C764E=J 8@@5 A=246 E@ 36 @? @776?D6[” D2:5 %9F?6[ 2 $@FE9 s2<@E2 #6AF3=:42?[ H9:=6 C2:=:?8 282:?DE 7C2F5 :?
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LE SUEUR, MINN. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune swung through Minnesota farm country on Monday, arguing Michele Tafoya is one of a precious few Republican candidates who can
Republicans see an opening for Tafoya, but their money is elsewhere
LE SUEUR, MINN. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune swung through Minnesota farm country on Monday, arguing Michele Tafoya is one of a precious few Republican candidates who can flip a Senate seat and buck the expected blue wave in the midterm elections. "It seems to me that Minnesota is a perfect, perfectly good place to be on offense," said Thune, a South Dakota Republican, while railing against fraud in Minnesota's social services programs.
Demuth and Tafoya would make history, but race and gender aren’t their pitch
On a rainy April afternoon, hundreds of Republican activists sat on folding chairs in Albert Lea’s middle-school gymnasium as House Speaker Lisa Demuth explained how racism in central Minnesota shaped her youth. kAm$@>6 :?
Demuth and Tafoya would make history in Minnesota, but race and gender aren't their pitch
Lisa Demuth, the Republican nominee for governor, holds a news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Sept. 14, 2026. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS) MINNEAPOLIS - On a rainy April afternoon, hundreds of Republican activists sat on folding chairs in Albert Lea's middle-school gymnasium as House Speaker Lisa Demuth explained how racism in central Minnesota shaped her youth.
Demuth and Tafoya would make history, but race and gender aren’t their pitch
Demuth and Tafoya would make history, but race and gender aren’t their pitch The Republican nominees for governor and Senate describe racism and sexism as formative experiences but reject the idea that race or gender should determine voters’ choices. Left, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michele Tafoya. Right, Republican gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth.
What Republicans are talking about when they talk about leaving Minnesota
What Republicans are talking about when they talk about leaving Minnesota Plus: Senate and governor candidates agree on debate dates. September 28, 2026 at 9:09AM Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya talks to the press after voting in the primary election at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Edina on Aug. 11. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share Hello, Hot Dish Nation! Walker Orenstein here. I’m filling in for Briana Bierschbach while she’s on vacation.
Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth breaks with Trump and calls for end to Iran war
MINNEAPOLIS - Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth called for an end to the U.S. war in Iran on Thursday, saying the conflict is "hurting Minnesotans" by raising the cost of living. The comments represent Demuth's sharpest break from President Donald Trump during her campaign for governor. It is also the latest example of GOP candidates around the country distancing themselves from a president with a record-low approval rating and responding to discontent over the economy.
Lisa Demuth breaks with Trump and calls for end to Iran war
Lisa Demuth breaks with Trump and calls for end to Iran war The GOP candidate for governor is the latest Republican to distance themselves from an increasingly unpopular president amid the conflict. Lisa Demuth, the Republican nominee for governor, holds a news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026.
Tafoya draws on her sports career to oppose trans athletes on campaign trail
When the Minnesota Lynx played the Indiana Fever in early August, former NFL broadcaster Michele Tafoya was outside Target Center rallying against transgender athletes in female sports. kAm“x DFAA@CE 8:C=D 2?5 H@>6? :? DA@CED[” %27@J2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]DE2CEC:3F?6]4@>^D@A9:6\4F??:?892>\>:??6D@E2\=J?I\:?5:2?2\76G6C\82>6\D4@C6\C2==J\EC2?D86?56C\2E9=6E6D\E2C86E\46?E6C^e_`gfcbd_Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmE@=5 E96 |:??6D@E2 $E2C %C:3F?6k^2m] “x DFAA@CE E96> 92G:?8 E96:C @H?
Klobuchar leads in fundraising as GOP megadonor floods the airwaves for Demuth
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has vastly outraised her Republican opponent in the race for governor. But a massive independent campaign to help Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth has given the GOP a rare opportunity to level the financial playing field. The DFLer Klobuchar has reported raising nearly five times more this election cycle than Demuth, according to new data released Wednesday, and has more than five times as much cash on hand. Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency.
Klobuchar leads in fundraising, but Republican megadonor helps Demuth compete
Klobuchar leads in fundraising, but Republican megadonor helps Demuth compete Democrats accuse a Wisconsin billionaire couple of trying to buy the governor’s race. Republicans point to wealthy donors supporting Democratic groups. Candidates for governor U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, left, and Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth. (The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has vastly outraised her Republican opponent in the race for governor.
Tafoya bets transgender sports issue will resonate beyond GOP base in Senate campaign
Tafoya bets transgender sports issue will resonate beyond GOP base in Senate campaign The former NFL sideline reporter says her advocacy is about protecting women’s sports, not “hating on anybody else.” Michele Tafoya joined protesters who oppose transgender athletes competing in women’s sports outside Target Center in August.
Klobuchar leads in fundraising as GOP megadonor floods the airwaves for Demuth
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has vastly outraised her Republican opponent in the race for governor. But a massive independent campaign to help Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth has given the GOP a rare opportunity to level the financial playing field. kAm%96 su{6C z=@3F492C 92D C6A@CE65 C2:D:?8 ?62C=J 7:G6 E:>6D >@C6 E9:D 6=64E:@? 4J4=6 E92? s6>FE9[ 244@C5:?8 E@ ?6H 52E2 C6=62D65 (65?6D52J[ 2?5 92D >@C6 E92? 7:G6 E:>6D 2D >F49 42D9 @?
Data centers have become a key campaign issue — except in the race for Minnesota governor
Minnesota is in the throes of a populist backlash against artificial intelligence and the construction of data centers, which is on full display in packed city council hearings and lawn signs that dot roads from Hermantown to Pine Island. kAmqFE C2E96C E92? E2A :?E@ 8C@H:?8 2?86C @G6C 52E2 46?E6CD E92E 92D 7F6=65 3:A2CE:D2? @AA@D:E:@?[ ?6:E96C 42?5:52E6 :? |:??6D@E2’D C246 7@C 8@G6C?@C 92D >256 52E2 46?E6CD 2 >2;@C 42>A2:8?
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Minnesota is in the throes of a populist backlash against artificial intelligence and the construction of data centers, which is on full display in packed city council hearings and lawn
Data centers have become a key campaign issue — except in the race for Minnesota governor
Data centers have become a key campaign issue — except in the race for Minnesota governor Lisa Demuth and Amy Klobuchar are generally in agreement on data centers: Local input leads the way. The Meta Data Center, the largest data center built in Minnesota so far, in Rosemount. Minnesota's gubernatorial candidates have not made the data center construction boom a key campaign issue.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
MINNEAPOLIS — Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
MINNEAPOLIS — Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
By Walker Orenstein, Star Tribune MINNEAPOLIS - Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday. University of Minnesota Police Chief Michael Davis told The Minnesota Star Tribune his department understands the fears and said "we're making the needed adjustments to do what we can to make it safe."
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
MINNEAPOLIS — Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
MINNEAPOLIS — Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
MINNEAPOLIS — Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
MINNEAPOLIS — Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
Two people were injured during a shooting Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The campus is pictured on Sept. 10, 2025. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS) MINNEAPOLIS - Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
Two people were injured during a shooting Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The campus is pictured on Sept. 10, 2025. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS) MINNEAPOLIS - Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
MINNEAPOLIS - Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
Two people were injured during a shooting Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The campus is pictured on Sept. 10, 2025. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS) MINNEAPOLIS - Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
Two people were injured during a shooting Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The campus is pictured on Sept. 10, 2025. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS) MINNEAPOLIS - Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
Two people were injured during a shooting Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The campus is pictured on Sept. 10, 2025. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS) MINNEAPOLIS - Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
Two injured after gunfire near U campus raises safety concerns as school begins
Two people were injured during a shooting Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The campus is pictured on Sept. 10, 2025. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS) MINNEAPOLIS - Two men were injured by suspected gunfire near the University of Minnesota early Sunday, reviving concerns about student safety as classes begin Tuesday.
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