2 Minnesota senators split from DFL, start independent caucus

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.startribune.com/2-minnesota-senators-split-from-dfl-start-independent-caucus/573114731/

Two influential state senators from the Iron Range including a former majority leader announced Wednesday that they are splitting from the DFL Party to form an independent caucus in the narrowly divided state Senate.

The decision by Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook, a longtime Capitol power broker, and Sen. David Tomassoni of Chisholm will likely further shift dynamics at the state Legislature next year. The decision means that instead of 34-33 split in the GOP-led chamber, the Senate will be comprised of 34 Republicans, 31 Democrats and two independents. Democrats will retain a majority in the state House.

In a statement, the two breakaway legislators cited growing political polarization and an opportunity to "chair committees and makes sense to better serve their districts within the legislative framework" as reasons for the split.

"People are going to wonder why I'm doing this — and to be honest, there are several reasons. I'm very disappointed by the extreme partisanship going on nationally and right here in Minnesota," Bakk said in a statement on the move, which was first reported by KSTP and MPR News. "Both political parties are to blame. The constant negative and sharp rhetoric is undermining voters' confidence in our public institutions. It doesn't have to stay this way."

Honestly, some interesting power moves.

[OneBro]

1. ". . . to be honest"

I cringe when people preface something with "to be honest." I get that it isn't their intent, but it sounds like they are going to try honesty for a change. Try it on, see how it fits, then maybe go back to normal if it doesn't quite work out.

To be or not to be,
That is the question.

[Drunken Irishman]

2. To be honest, it doesn't bug me.

[OneBro]

3. Just wanted to note that my comment is currently sandwiched between . . .

. . . a WhiskeyGrinder and a Drunken Irishman.

[question everything]

8. LOL, I need this

[Laelth]

4. I avoid that construction.

It’s unnerving because it implies that one regularly lies when speaking but that, for a change, now I am going to be honest.

-Laelth

[Midnight Writer]

11. This is a Frank Luntz/Newt Gingrich tool. They teach it to Republican candidates.

[Diraven]

5. Traitors

They want to caucus with the Republicans to get power for themselves instead of staying loyal to their party just like the IDC in New York.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. Oh, both of them had plenty of heft in the party already. "Loyal" is kind of a loaded word,

especially with the party actively taking a stand against new forms of mining in its platform, when there were plenty of compromise actions that would have passed. The party and the Range are always trying to wag each other; this is just the latest move.

[question everything]

6. Tomassoni is now the chair of the Senate..

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. No, but he's president of it.

[question everything]

10. Oops. Typo. Meant chair.. Or, as you post, the correct term is President

Too many senior moments

[Mawspam2]

12. Are these guys angling...

...to be the next Joe Lieberman?

[dflprincess]

13. If these two are so fed up with the DFL, why didn't they run as Independents in the election?

Bakk wants to be governor and he knows he won't get the endorsement or win a primary against him. Sadly, he may be setting himself as a spoiler and giving the MyPillowGuy a better chance to win a three way race.