The stage is set in Minnesota for a gubernatorial campaign which is expected to be a major test case of unrestricted corporate and interest group election spending following the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United case earlier this year.
Democrat and former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton narrowly defeated three primary challengers Tuesday to move to a face-off with Republican state Rep. Tom Emmer and Independence Party candidate Tom Horner in November. One of the men will replace outgoing Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who chose not to seek a third term.
For Minnesotans, the choices could not be more distinct, reflecting the deep partisan divide across the country. Dayton has proposed raising state income tax rates to levels already among the highest in the country, while Emmer wants to cut taxes and shrink state government in the face of a historic budget deficit. The men are vying for an office that has been held by generally moderate and progressive leaders for decades.
Full Story: Primary 2010: Minnesota Test Case for Corporate Campaign Spending – ABC News
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