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Minnesota

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Minnesota

Constitution

State government Governor - Tim Pawlenty Lieutenant Governor - Carol Molnau Attorney General - Lori Swanson Secretary of State - Mark Ritchie State Auditor - Rebecca Otto State Treasurer - 1858-2003 State Cabinet Legislature Senate President of the Senate - James Metzen Majority Leader - Lawrence Pogemiller Minority Leader - David Senjem House of Representatives Speaker - Margaret Anderson Kelliher Majority Leader - Anthony Sertich Minority Leader - Marty Seifert Court System Supreme Court District Courts Court of Appeals Specialty Courts Political Parties Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Republican Party Green Party Independence Party List of political parties in Minnesota National minor parties Counties Federal government United States Senate Amy Klobuchar (D) Norm Coleman (R) United States House Tim Walz (D) John Kline (R) Jim Ramstad (R) Betty McCollum (D) Keith Ellison (D) Michele Bachmann (R) Collin Peterson (D) Jim Oberstar (D)

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Minnesota has had a history of favoring the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidates since the 1960s, especially in Presidential elections where it has been seen as a "safe state" for the Democratic Party candidate. However, Minnesota has also has an active Republican Party that has been gaining more support in recent years due to population migration to the suburbs along with the party's focus on socially conservative positions on gun control, abortion and gay rights. Republicans now hold a narrow majority in the state house.

Minnesota has one of the strongest levels of support, among the states, for supporting independent and third political party candidates.

Contents 1 Third Political Parties 2 Recognized major political parties 3 Recognized minor political parties 4 Other political parties 5 Historic parties (now defunct or disbanded) 6 Definitions

The Farmer-Labor Party was a populist political party that managed to elect some of its candidates to the United States House of Representatives, a rare feat among American third political parties, and eventually merged with the Minnesota Democratic Party in 1948 to create the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. The success of the Farmer Labor Party shielded Minnesota from the worst of the restrictive ballot access laws that were passed in most states during the Red Scare era of the 1920s - 1950s. State law governing nominating petitions for third party candidates and the definition of a major and minor political party have not prevented the rise of more than two major political parties, and have ensured that several different candidates are on the ballot in most state and federal elections.

In 1998 the Minnesota Reform Party candidate for Governor, Jesse Ventura, won the election and despite his controversial positions, maintained a high approval rating. One Independence Party candidate won a legislative election and the Green Party of Minnesota has had electoral success in city elections, particularly Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The governor is Tim Pawlenty. He is a member of the Republican Party, and the next statewide constitutional election is in 2006.

The following is a list of Minnesota's political parties:

• Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
• Independence Party of Minnesota
• Republican Party of Minnesota

• Green Party of Minnesota

• Communist Party of Minnesota (Communist Party)
• Constitution Party of Minnesota (Constitution Party)
• Liberal Party of Minnesota
• Libertarian Party of Minnesota (Libertarian Party)
• New Union Party of Minnesota (New Union Party)
• Socialist Workers Party of Minnesota (Socialist Workers Party)
• Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America (Democratic socialists)

• Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party - Merged with the Minnesota Democratic Party in 1948 to form the DFL
• Grassroots Party - Members moved to the Green Party of Minnesota or to the Liberal Party of Minnesota

In 2005, Minnesota state law regarding the definition of major and minor political parties was changed. The distinction between the two depends on how many candidates the party nominates for certain partisan offices, and how well the candidates do in certain partisan elections. The law still allows for independent nominees to include a brief political party designation instead of the independent designation, and seems to ensure the likelihood of their being three or four major political parties. More information about the election law and voting can be found on the Secretary of State's website.