Over the decades, MPR has presented the many different perspectives of Minnesota politics and politicians. This collection is home to a multitude speeches, interviews and debates on the issues of the day. Important topics of civil rights, environment, crime, budget, legislation, and campaigns are addressed.
Click on link to these well-known figures to see audio segments directly related to them: Michele Bachmann Arne Carlson Keith Ellison Hubert Humphrey Amy Klobuchar Eugene McCarthy Walter Mondale Tim Pawlenty R.T. Rybak Jesse Ventura Paul Wellstone
October 27, 2017 - MPR’s Tim Nelson takes a look at Dai Thao, a St. Paul city council member and a former Hmong refugee, who is running for mayor. Thao shares his personal history and political platform.
November 8, 2017 - On Tuesday, NOV 7th, 2017, voters elected two out transgender candidates to the Minneapolis City Council, marking the first such victories for transgender people in a major American city council race. Report includes an interview with then-candidate Andrea Jenkins.
November 8, 2017 - MPR’s Peter Cox profiles Melvin Carter, who won in his election for the mayoral seat of St. Paul. Carter received more than 50% of the vote in a field of ten candidates.
November 9, 2017 - MPR’s Matt Sepic takes a look back at the tenure of Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, whose four year term left contradictions. It included key reforms in the police department and championing of a two-decade park maintenance plan that's centered around racial equity, yet also was marked by two high-profile officer-involved shootings, communication problems, and strife with the police chief.
November 9, 2017 - MPR’s Brian Bakst interviews Rep. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, about her complaints to House leaders about harassing text messages within the legislature.
November 17, 2017 - Host Tom Crann talks with MPR’s Tom Scheck about reporting on accusations of inappropriate behavior by Minnesota State Representative Tony Cornish. Details on text messages sent by Cornish are discussed.
April 20, 2018 - As part of the Meet the Candidates series, MPR’s Mike Mulcahy interviews DFL Congressman Tim Walz, who has become a candidate for governor. Topics include state education, transportation, rural communities, gun control, environment, healthcare, and faith in government. Walz also answers questions from listeners.
June 12, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports on efforts by 1st District Congressman Tim Walz to refocus his gubernatorial campaign. Walz spent much of this year as the DFL favorite for governor, had the most money, topped a precinct caucus straw poll, and honed a message toward winning back moderate voters who have fallen away from the party. Then came a state convention that turned out poorly for Walz, and a new entrant in the race who threatens to cut into his primary election base.
July 25, 2018 - On this program of MPR News at 11, host Kerri Miller talks with DFL candidate Tim Walz. As governor, DFL candidate Tim Walz said he would support legalizing recreational marijuana, raising the gas tax to pay for transportation projects, and would help bridge the urban and rural divide in the state. Other topics in conversation include gun control, Polymet and Twin Metals copper nickel mining, refugees, and pipeline.
August 10, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports on an MPR hosted debate between the three Democrats chasing their party's nomination for Minnesota governor ahead of primary election. There are plenty of areas where Erin Murphy, Lori Swanson, and Tim Walz agree. But the candidates highlighted distinctions among them on topics of guns, immigration, marijuana, and more.