OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> ERIC: TONIGHT WE BRING YOU THE FIRST TELEVISED DEBATE IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE.

INCUMBENT KEITH ELLISON WILL SIT DOWN WITH CHALLENGER JIM SCHULTZ.

AND IT ALL BEGINS IN TWO MINUTES.

ALL NEXT ON "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY: GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY: THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION, WORKING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> ERIC: LATER IN THE PROGRAM WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE REST OF THE POLITICS OF THE WEEK, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL SPEND WITH THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT DEBATE STARTS RIGHT NOW.

>> CATHY: IT WILL BE AN "ALMANAC"-STYLE DEBATE.

NO STOPWATCHES.

NO OPENING STATEMENTS.

NO COINS ARE FLIPPED TO SEE WHO GOES FIRST OR LAST.

OUR AIM IS CONVERSATION.

KEITH ELLISON IS MINNESOTA'S CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HE'S THE DFL CANDIDATE AND A FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

JIM SCHULTZ IS THE REPUBLICAN WHO IS CHALLENGING ELLISON FOR THE JOB.

THIS IS SCHULTZ'S FIRST RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

HE'S A CORPORATE ATTORNEY.

GENTLEMEN, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, THERE IS AN AD RUNNING, JIM SCHULTZ, FROM THE REPUBLICAN ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL, IT'S A PROVOCATIVE AD.

AND IT CALLS ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON THE CRIMINAL'S CHOICE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT LANGUAGE?

>> WELL,, YOU KNOW, WE RUN OUR OWN ADS, WE GOT OUR OWN AD IN THE RACE, IT'S ME TALKING TO THE CAMERA, TALKING ABOUT THE MANY FAILURES -- >> Cathy: DO YOU AGREE WITH THE LANGUAGE?

>> I DON'T COMMENT ON HIS ADS, I DON'T COMMENT ON ANYBODY ELSE'S ADS.

I'LL COMMENT ON MY AD.

THE AD MAKES VERY CLEAR THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MINNESOTA REPRESENTS EXTREME POLICIES.

HE GOT BEHIND DEFUNDING THE POLICY.

HE'S GOT BEHIND POLICIES THAT HAVE LED TO CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN OUR STREETS.

THE EXPRESS LANGUAGE OF THE MINNEAPOLIS CHARTER LANGUAGE -- >> Cathy: AND YOU SUPPORTED THE CHARTER AMENDMENT.

>> YES, I DID.

BUT IT DIDN'T CALL FOR DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

IN FACT, THAT'S ONE OF THE MANY SMEARS THAT HAVE BEEN FACT CHECKED ALL OVER THE NEWS.

IN FACT, YOU KNOW, I WAS DISTURBED TO READ THAT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU AND YOUR I.E.

HAVE BEEN COLLABORATING IMPROPERLY, AND I GUESS WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT AT ANOTHER TIME.

THAT'S CHEATING, JIM, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THE LAW IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> LET ME JUST SAY THIS, YOU KNOW.

I BELIEVE THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO WORK ON BUILDING TRUST BETWEEN POLICE AND COMMUNITY.

AS YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, WE HAD SOME DIFFICULTIES IN MINNEAPOLIS WITH GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER.

AND IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER AND TALK AS A COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW WE MAKE SURE THAT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

SO, LOOK, I WANTED TO SEE THE DEPARTMENT BE MORE INCLUSIVE, POLICE PLUS GANG VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLUS MENTAL HEALTH PLUS HOUSING.

AND NOW THEY HAVE, EXCUSE ME, ERIC, THEY HAVE COMMUNITY -- A COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS CALLING FOR IN THE IRST PLACE.

>> SO, THE PURPOSE WAS TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

THAT'S WHY TIM WALZ -- >> HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?

>> I READ THE CHARTER AMENDMENT.

>> WHO SUPPORTS -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> Cathy: TALK ONE TAILLIGHT.

>> THAT'S WHY AMY KLOBUCHAR DIDN'T GET BEHIND IT.

>> WHO SUPPORTS ME.

>> THE "STAR TRIBUNE" EXPRESSLY CALLED IT A PATHWAY TO DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

THAT'S WHAT THEY ALLED T. THEY WERE RIGHT.

THE FACT IS, THAT'S THE MOTIVATION OF THIS.

WE'VE SEEN THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT.

WE'VE SEEN THE EXTRAORDINARY CRIMES AND VIOLENCE IN OUR STREETS.

650 CARJACKINGS.

WE'RE ALL LIVING THROUGH THIS.

THE FACT IS, WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO'S EMBRACED RECKLESS POLICIES WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND WE'RE LIVING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES.

>> YOU TRY TO SPREAD FEAR ABOUT CRIME.

AND, YET, YOU DON'T -- YOU'RE ENDORSED BY THE GUN LOBBY.

I AM -- YES, YOU ARE.

I'M TAKING ON GUNS IN OUR STREETS.

I'M ACTUALLY BRINGING ACTION TO STOP NEGLIGENT GUN SALES.

I HAVE THE SUPPORT OF VERY TOWN WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT PEOPLE HAVE RIGHT TO NOT BE SHOT.

I'M GOING AFTER PROBLEM PROPERTIES.

AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, ERIC, CATHY, MY FFICE HAS PROSECUTED EVERY SERIOUS CASE THAT HAS OME OUR WAY.

WE HAVE WON VERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

THAT'S ABOUT 49 CASES.

AND WE HAVE FINISHED 26 AND 100% CONVICTIONS, INCLUDING MURDER.

SO THESE ARE THE CASES THAT ARE BOUGHT TO US BY THE COUNTIES.

>> Eric: I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL IS THE CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER OF THE STATE MORE THAN THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

AND I WONDER IF, REALLY, UNDER THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE, ISN'T THE ATTORNEY GENERAL KIND OF A BIG PLAYER IN CRIME?

>> I DON'T AGREE.

I MEAN, I WOULD SAY A FEW THINGS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN HAVE REALLY MEANINGFUL INFLUENCE ON CRIME IN OUR STATE.

BY A FEW WAYS.

IT CAN SUPPORT -- I WON'T INTERRUPT YOU, KEITH, IF YOU DON'T INTERRUPT ME, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> IF YOU TELL LIES, I'M GOING TO INTERRUPT.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN HAVE MEANINGFUL INFLUENCE ON CRIME.

BY HAVING A PROPERLY STAFFED IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

THERE'S ONLY THREE CRIMINAL PROSECUTOR OFFICERS.

HAVE A PROPERLY STAFFED OFFICE THAT SUPPORTS COUNTY ATTORNEYS, THE WORK THEY DO EVERY DAY.

ALSO BE AN OFFICE THAT ENFORCES RECO, THAT HAS DIRECT AUTHORITY TO ENFORCES THE RECO STATUTE.

IT CAN ALSO SET THE TONE IN OUR STATE.

RICOH.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO HAS UNDERMINED LAW ENFORCEMENT IN OUR STATE AND EMBOLDENED CRIMINALS.

WE HAVE TO SET THE RIGHT TONE FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

>> WE HAVE 87 COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

THEY ELECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S JOB IS TO PROSECUTE CRIME.

THEY DO A GOOD JOB.

THEY REALLY DO.

THEY NEED US SOMETIMES WHEN THERE IS A HORRENDOUS MURDER THAT TAKES PLACE.

SO A FEW WEEKS AGO, A POLICE OFFICER WAS SHOT IN ALBERT LEA.

MY OFFICE PROSECUTED THAT PERSON WHO LED OFF 80 ROUNDS AND WE CONVICTED THAT PERSON OF FIRST-DEGREE ATTEMPTED MURDER.

THANK GOD THE OFFICER HAD A VEST.

WE PROSECUTED SOMEBODY WHO MURDERED HIS WIFE.

GOT A VERDICT BACK JUST THE OTHER DAY.

FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.

WE PLAY OUR ROLE.

BUT TO USURP THE ROLE OF THE ELECTED COUNTY ATTORNEYS IS THE WRONG POLICY AND YOU'RE DOING IT BY TAKING PEOPLE OUT OF THE CONSUMER DIVISION AND I JUST WANT TO -- IF I MAY, CATHY -- JUST REMEMBER -- >> Cathy: QUICKLY.

>> YOU KNOW THAT SKIP HUMPHREY TOOK CARE OF BIG TOBACCO.

HATCH TOOK CARE OF THE BIG HMOs AND LORI SWANSON TOOK ON THE BIG POLLUTERS.

WHO'S GOING TO DO THAT IF UNDER A SCHULTZ ADMINISTRATION, THERE'S NO ONE TO DO IT ANYMORE?

>> Cathy: ACTUALLY, I DO WANT TO ASK ABOUT THAT, TOO.

SAY, REALLY, SHOULDN'T CRIME BE DEALT WITH ON THE LOCAL LEVEL?

>> IT SHOULD BE JOINT.

THE FACT IS -- >> IT IS.

>> THE FACT IS, WE HAVE TO RESPOND TO THE CURRENT MOMENT IN OUR STATE.

IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, THROW UP OUR HANDS, WE NEED TRUE LEADERSHIP IN OUR STATE.

TO RESPOND TO THIS HISTORIC CRISIS.

WE'RE LIVING THROUGH THE GREATEST NCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME IN MANY DECADES, IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO THROW UP HIS HANDS, TO BRAG UP ABOUT 50 PROSECUTIONS OVER FOUR YEARS, THAT'S AN EXTRAORDINARILY LOW NUMBER.

WE NEED AN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT'S STAFFED AND RESOURCEnd A MANNER THAT CAN SUPPORT COUNTY ATTORNEYS AND AGGRESSIVELY PROSECUTE VIOLENT CRIME.

WE HAVE TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO CRIMINALS IN OUR STATE THAT WE WILL, AGAIN, HAVE SERIES CONSEQUENCES FOR SERIOUS CRIME.

>> Cathy: IF OUR STAFFING FOR CRIMINAL CASES, YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE SOMETHING ELSE NOT DONE, RIGHT?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HANDLES CONSUMER CASES AND NONPROFITS.

>> SO I'D SAY, YEAH, A FEW THINGS THERE.

I'M GOING TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE, I'M GOING TO SEEK THE FUNDING FOR THE INCREMENTAL COUNTY PROSECUTORS.

NOW IF THAT DOESN'T COME, I MAKE VERY CLEAR, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE HAVE TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT HAS A ROBUST STAFF OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTORS.

YES, WE WILL REALLOCATE RESOURCES.

THE FACT IS, IN THE '90s, WE HAD A ROBUST CRIMINAL DIVISION UNDER SKIP HUMPHREY, THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY BY MIKE HATCH.

HE JUST REALLOCATED RESOURCES OVER TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION SIDE.

WHAT WELT BE DOING IS MOVING THOSE RESOURCES BACK.

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

>> HOW DO YOU KNOW?

LOOK, YOU'VE NEVER LITIGATED A CASE, YOU'VE NEVER BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY LEADERSHIP BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL.

AND YOU ACT AS IF YOU KNOW ALL THIS STUFF.

YOU'RE WRONG.

AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THAT GOES FOR WHEN YOU TRY TO SAY THAT JOE THOMPSON WAS THE HEAD OF THE FBI, WHICH WAS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FACT CHECKED YOU THAT DAY, SAID IT WAS THE MISTAKE OF THE DAY.

HERE'S ANOTHER MISTAKE.

WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO THE CONSUMER DIVISION.

IT WOULD ALTER 150 YEARS OF WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS DONE.

WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.

THERE'S NO DOUBT.

AND WE DO IT.

NOW YOU KEEP SAYING THAT WE DON'T DO ENOUGH.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I THINK -- WHEN I TALK TO THE VICTIMS OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED AND MURDERED AND WE PROSECUTED THOSE PEOPLE, THEY THINK WE'RE DOING ENOUGH, JIM, WHEN WE GET THOSE CONVICTIONS.

I GOT TO TELL YOU THAT I THINK THAT YOU'RE BEING A LITTLE CALLOUS JUST LIKE WHEN YOU WERE TRYING TO USE THE MATTER IN RICHFIELD TO JUST ATTACK ME DIDN'T EVEN EXPRESS ANY SYMPATHY FOR THE VICTIM.

I MEAN, THIS IS ABOUT REAL PEOPLE, JIM.

>> Cathy: RESPONSE, PLEASE.

>> YEAH, THERE'S A VARIETY OF MISINFORMATION THERE.

I WOULD SAY A FEW THINGS HERE.

WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT'S TAKEN ITS EYE OFF THE BALL.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT BACKED DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT SUES RON DESANTIS DOWN IN FLORIDA EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

>> THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT SUED EGG PRODUCERS.

>> THEY PRICE GOUGED.

>> NOW, I'LL JUST SAY A FEW THINGS.

THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION OF THE OFFICE, IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT BUSINESSES WHO COMMIT SERIOUS WRONGDOING IN OUR STATE ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

I WILL ABSOLUTELY ENSURE THAT.

WE WON'T BRING CASES THAT ARE FRIVOLOUS LIKE THIS OFFICE HAS.

WE WILL BRING CASES THAT THERE IS SERIOUS WRONGDOING.

WE WILL ENSURE IN MINNESOTA THAT BUSINESSES WHO COMMIT WRONGDOING ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

WHAT WE WON'T DO, WHAT WENT DO IS GET BEHIND RECKLESS AND EXTREME POLICIES LIKE DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

WE WILL NOT FAIL TO STAND UP TO THIS HISTORIC MOMENT WHERE WE ARE LIVING THROUGH THE GREATEST INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME IN MANY DECADES.

WE NEED TO STEP FORWARD.

>> Eric: FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

>> CAN I JUST RESPOND, QUICKLY?

>> Eric: WELL, GIVE US YOUR BEST 30 SECONDS.

>> I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK 30 SECONDS.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

>> HERE'S THE THING.

IF YOU MOVE 36 PEOPLE OUT OF THE CONSUMER DIVISION, THERE'S NO CONSUMER DIVISION, THERE'S ONLY 28 PEOPLE THERE.

YOU TALKED ABOUT YOU'RE GOING TO GO CHARM THE LEGISLATURE.

LOOK, I PASSED BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION.

I PASSED IT.

ON OPIOIDS.

WE WORKED WITH REPUBLICANS AND GOT A BILL PASSED.

IF YOU THINK I HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE FEDERAL LEGISLATURE FOR 12 YEARS AND IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR FOUR, DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, AND YOU'VE NEVER EVEN BEEN AN INTERN OR A PAGE IS RIDICULOUS.

>> I THINK I'VE GOT TO RESPOND TO.

THAT.

>> Cathy: WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.

FEEDING OUR FUTURE, LET'S GO.

>> Eric: WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN YOU GUYS ON FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

IT'S THE FOOD FOR CHILDREN THAT APPARENTLY DIDN'T GET SERVED AND THERE WAS SOME KICKBACKS AND BRIBES AND EXTRAVAGANT SPENDING.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: GOING FORWARD, HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN WITH THIS AND OTHER NONPROFITS?

>> YEAH, YEAH, I ROLLED OUT A PLAN ON HIS.

WE NEED TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE CHARITIES DIVISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

THERE'S ONLY A HANDLEDFUL OF FOLKS IN THAT DIVISION RIGHT NOW.

ROUGHLY TEN OR SO.

WE NEED A ROBUSTLY STAFFED DIVISION WITHIN HAT OFFICE.

SIMPLY INADEQUATELY STAFFED FOR 40,000 NONPROFIT IN THE STATE.

THIS IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS MISSING IN ACTION.

WE NEED REAL LEADERSHIP HERE.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD DO, I'D BE HONEST WITH THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

WITH RESPECT TO FEEDING OUR FUTURE, ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON HAS CONSISTENTLY LIED ABOUT THE FAILURES IN FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

FIRST IT WAS THE JUDGE MADE HIM DO IT, THEN THE FBI MADE HIM DO IT, HEN HE SAID HE COULDN'T TELL THE TRUTH BECAUSE OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE.

UNFORTUNATELY, ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON HAS LIED TIME AND AGAIN ON FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

I PROMISE, AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, I WOULD TELL THE TRUTH TO THE -- I WILL TELL THE TRUTH TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> THIS IS MORE DISTORTION, SMEAR AND UNTRUTH.

HERE'S HE TRUTH.

THE FACT IS THAT WE OBTAINED 50 INDICTMENTS FROM THESE FRAUDSTERS, INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO WAS RUNNING THE WHOLE THING.

WE RECEIVED THE PRAISE OF ANDY LUGER AND MICHAEL FALL, WHO WAS THE HEAD OF THE FBI.

AND WHAT WE DID, WE REALIZED THAT AT SOME POINT THAT THERE WAS -- THE NUMBERS WERE OUT OF WHACK BETWEEN WHAT THEY WERE ASKING US FOR AND THE AMOUNT OF EALS BEING SERVED.

AND THERE WERE TWO ISSUES.

ONE IS, THE STOP PAYMENT ON JUST THE APPLICATIONS AND THE OTHER ONE WAS THE SITES.

AND THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES.

NOW, SO, WHAT WE DID IS WE -- WHEN WE SAW THE DISCREPANCIES, WE GOT -- THE STATE GOT SUED BY FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

ALLEGING RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

THAT WAS IN LATE 2020.

AND WE ALERTED THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RIGHT AWAY.

REMEMBER, THIS IS FEDERAL -- THIS IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM.

>> Cathy: CORRECT.

>> THEN WHAT HAPPENED IS THAT WE PUT A STOP PAY.

THEY SUED AGAIN.

WE NDED UP IN COURT IN APRIL.

ALL THIS TIME WE CONTACTED THE FBI AND THE FBI BROUGHT IN THE D.O.J., BROUGHT IN I.R.S.

EXAMINE BROUGHT IN U.S. POST -- AND BROUGHT IN U.S.

POSTAL FOLKS.

>> Cathy: YOU WERE SAYING YOU WERE ON TOP OF THIS.

>> OF COURSE WE WERE.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

THERE ARE DFL LINKS TO SOME OF THE SUSPECTS IN THIS FRAUD CASE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: WHAT ROLE, IF ANY, DO PARTY POLITICS PLAY IN YOUR WATCHDOG ROLE?

>> NONE AT ALL.

IN FACT, UNTIL WE GOT INTO THE INVESTIGATION, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO THE FRAUDSTERS EVEN WERE.

WHEN WE OUND OUT, ALL THAT MONEY WENT BACK.

AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE BEING PROSECUTED.

THEY'RE BEING PROSECUTED 50 INDICTMENTS, THREE HAVE ALREADY PLED GUILTY.

BUT LET ME JUST TELL YOU, CATHY, YOU CANNOT TALK ABOUT A PENDING FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.

YOU HAVE TO COOPERATE WITH THAT INVESTIGATION.

IF YOU START TALKING ABOUT THAT INVESTIGATION, WHAT HAPPENS IS COMPUTERS GET WIPED, PHONES GET WIPED, DOCUMENTS GET BURNED.

AND PEOPLE RUN OUT OF THE COUNTRY AS SOME TRIED TO.

WHAT WE DID IS COOPERATED AND WE GOT THEM, WE GOT 50 INDICTMENTS, WE GOT THREE PEOPLE CONVICTED.

AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Cathy: PROBABLY MORE TO COME ON THIS TOO.

>> PROBABLY MORE TO COME.

>> Cathy: QUICK RESPONSE HERE BEFORE WE GO ON.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IF THAT'S SUCCESS, I WOULD HATE TO SEE WHAT FAILURE LOOKS LIKE.

$250 MILLION WENT OUT THE DOOR.

>> HOW WOULD YOU KNOW, MAN?

YOU NEVER DID IT.

>> Cathy: HANG ON, LET HIM TALK.

>> IN APRIL OF '21, THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE FBI WAS INVOLVED.

PRIOR TO THAT TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WENT OUT.

WE HAD KNOWN AT THAT TIME THAT FEEDING OUR FUTURE WAS FRAUDULENT.

THERE'S NO POSSIBLE -- YOU CAN'T USE THE FBI AS AN EXCUSE THERE, YOU CAN'T USE THE ONGOING FEDERAL INVESTIGATION AS AN EXCUSE THERE.

TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WENT OUT THEN.

THEY SENT OUT $2 MILLION AFTER THE FBI WAS INFORMED.

NOW, I WILL TELL YOU, THE FBI DOES NOT ADVISE VICTIMS OF THEFT TO SEND OUT $2 MILLION OUT TO THE THIEVES.

IT DID NOT HAPPEN HERE.

>> REAL QUICK, WHY DID FEEDING OUR FUTURE SUE?

BECAUSE THEY GOT A STOP PAYMENT.

WHY DID THEY PURSUE THEIR LAWSUIT?

BECAUSE THE SITE EXPANSION WAS DENIED.

THAT'S WHEN -- SO, LOOK, THE STATE WAS SAFEGUARDING THE MONEY, BUT NOBODY KNEW WHAT THE EXTENT OF THE THEFT WAS.

NOBODY KNEW WHAT THE EXTENT OF THE TRUE THEFT WAS UNTIL FEBRUARY -- JANUARY 2022 WHEN ALL OF THE SEARCH WARRANTS WENT OUT.

THEN COMPUTERS GOT GRABBED.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> IF I COULD JUST FINISH.

>> Eric: WELL, GO AHEAD, GO AHEAD.

>> ERIC, THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

>> Eric: IT IS.

>> THEN COMPUTERS GOT GRABBED.

THEN DOCUMENTS GOT OBTAINED.

AND THEN WE BEGAN TO LEARN WHAT THE REAL SIZE OF THIS IS.

THE STATE EARLY ON STOPPED PAYING, WOULDN'T THAN EXPAND THE SITES.

AND THAT'S WHY THE JUDGE HIT THE STATE WITH A SANCTION.

OF 35 MILLION, PLUS ABOUT 11 MILLION IN ATTORNEY'S FEES.

THE STATE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY.

AND NOBODY SAYS OTHERWISE OTHER THAN PARTISAN FOLKS WHO ARE TRYING TO WIN AN ELECTION.

>> Eric: WE MOVE ON.

HOW ACTIVE IS YOUR OFFICE GOING TO BE IN PARTICIPATING IN THE FORMATION OF ABORTION POLICY GOING FORWARD IN MINNESOTA?

>> OH, YEAH.

AND I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO AN APOLITICAL ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT ISN'T WEIGHING IN TO EVERY LEGISLATIVE ISSUE THAT'S OUT THERE.

ISN'T WEIGHING INTO ISSUES LIKE ABORTION THAT AREN'T INTRINSICALLY CONNECTED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

I'LL WEIGH IN ON GETTING ROBUST PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING, THINGS LIKE ENSURING WE HAVE APPROPRIATE STATUTES OF CRIME IN OUR STATE.

>> Eric: YOU'VE BEEN A PRETTY STRONG PRO LIFE PERSON.

WILL YOU DISSAPOINT SOME FOLKS THAT OPPOSE ABORTION IF YOU'RE NOT ACTIVE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST ABORTION?

>> I WAS, OF COURSE, CRITICIZED IN THE PRIMARY FOR NOT BEING ADEQUATELY, YOU KNOW, INDICATINGIVES THAT NOT GOING TO LEVERAGE THE OFFICE FOR ABORTION POLICY.

I'M WILLING TO TAKE THAT CRITICISM.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN MINNESOTA IS AN OFFICE THAT HAS TO FOCUS ON DOING JUSTICE EVERY DAY.

AND THAT IS ENFORCING AND DEFENDING MINNESOTA LAW.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO.

I'M NOT A LEGISLATOR.

I'M NOT THE GOVERNOR.

MY JOB SW IS TO ENFORCE AND DEFEND MINNESOTA LAW.

PEOPLE MAY BE DISAPPOINTED BY THAT BUT THAT'S MY JOB.

>> IT'S JUST NOT CREDIBLE.

YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO GO ON OFFENSE OFFENSE OFFENSE.

THERE'S TAPE, YOU'RE ON TAPE SAYING THAT.

YOU WERE ON A FAKE ABORTION CLINIC BOARD THAT SAID THEY WANTED O MAKE ABORTION NOT JUST ILLEGAL BUT UNTHINKABLE.

THAT'S A VERIFIABLE PROVABLE FACT, JIM.

AND, JIM, LOOK, ONE THING THE DOBBS DECISION DID, WHICH I THINK IS COMPLETELY WRONG BUT IT DID, IN THE DOBBS DECISION, THE SUPREME COURT MADE IT A STATE ISSUE, NOW YOU'RE SAYING IT'S NOT A STATE ISSUE.

YET, YOU ATTACK ME FOR NOT APPEALING ABORTION-RELATED MATTERS.

AND THAT'S GETTING INVOLVED.

YOU SAID YOU WOULD GET INVOLVED WHEN PHARMACISTS PRESCRIBE ABORTION DRUGS, YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO THAT.

MAN, YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT ABORTION BECAUSE YOU KNOW MOST MINNESOTANS BELIEVE IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

AND, SO, YOU JUST -- YOU'RE JUST READING POLLS AND SAYING WHAT YOU THINK PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR.

>> I'VE BEEN IN POLITICS FOR NINE MONTHS OF MY LIFE, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN USED TO THE MANNER IN WHICH POLITICIANS LIE CONSISTENTLY.

>> YOU PICK IT UP QUICK, MAN.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS LYING.

I MADE CLEAR, WHETHER IT BE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY AND OTHERWISE, PEOPLE CAN LOOK THIS UP, REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, I GOT CRITICIZED FROM THE RIGHT SAYING I WOULD NOT LEVERAGE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR ABORTION POLICY.

I MADE THAT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR.

THE FACT IS, KEITH ELLISON AGAIN IS TRYING TO DISTRACT FROM HIS FAILED RECORD ON FEEDING OUR FUTURE AND THE VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR STATE.

>> Cathy: WHAT ISSUES WOULD YOU -- >> CAN I TALK ABOUT THIS FOR A MOMENT?

>> Cathy: -- IF YOU WERE ATTORNEY GENERAL?

BECAUSE ATTORNEY GENERAL -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> CAN I GET IN ON ABORTION AT SOME POINT?

>> Cathy: WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU.

BECAUSE, ACTUALLY, YOU HAVE SUED OIL OMPANIES.

>> I HAVE.

>> Cathy: OPENED COMPANIES.

>> I CERTAINLY HAVE.

OPIOID COMPANIES.

>> Cathy: LANDLORD -- >> YES, I HAVE.

NEGLIGENT GUN SELLERS.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> HE GETS THE SUPPORT OF THE GUN LOBBY.

>> Cathy: IF YOU WERE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHAT LAWSUITS WOULD YOU GET YOURSELF INVOLVED IN?

>> YEAH ON THE CONSUMER PROTECTION SIDE OF THINGS.

ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON JUST JOINED AN EXISTING OPIOID SUIT.

SUITS LIKE HAT, HOLDING ACCOUNTABLE, PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES OR OTHERWISE, WHO COMMIT WRONGDOING.

>> Cathy: SO YOU WOULD DO THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE THING IS PERSONAL TO ME IS ENSURING THAT WE'RE ADEQUATELY PROTECTING THE ELDERLY.

I MEAN, WE HAVE ELDERLIES -- ELDERLY FOLKS WHO ARE VICTIMS TO SCAMS.

WE HAVE ELDER FOLKS WHO AREN'T GETTING THE CARE THEY NEED IN SOME NURSING HOMES.

>> Cathy: THERE WERE 17 STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS BACK IN 2020 WHO SIGNED ON A CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT THAT WOULD HAVE CHAGD JOE BIDEN'S WIN IN FOUR STATES.

WOULD YOU HAVE SUPPORTED THAT CHALLENGE?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> I DON'T BUY IT AT ALL.

I MEAN, THE FACT IS, NEIL GORSUCH, BRETT KAVANAUGH AND AMY CONEY BARRETT, SAID IT'S JUST A SET OF LAW.

AS SOON AS THEY GOT A CHANCE TO FLIP IT, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID.

JIM, THAT'S WHAT I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW YOU'RE JUST SAYING WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR.

BUT YOU HAVE A RECORD, JIM.

YOU WERE ON THOSE FAKE ABORTION CLINIC BOARDS.

YOU DID SAY YOU ERE GOING TO GO ON OFFENSE OFFENSE OFFENSE.

YOU CANNOT DENY IT.

AND, SO -- AND, SO, THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING YOU, THEY EXPECT YOU TO DO IT.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO DELIVER BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SAY IT NOW NY MORE THAN GORSUCH, KAVANAUGH OR CONEY BARRETT SAID.

>> THERE'S A VARIETY OF MISREPRESENTATIONS THERE.

ONE THING I DID DO IS I HELPED PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR WOMEN WHO -- FOR WOMEN WHEN THEY'RE PREGNANT.

I'M NOT ASHAMED OF THAT.

PEOPLE DO NEED SUPPORT WHEN THEY'RE IN CRISIS PREGNANCIES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

I'M NOT ASHAMED OF THAT.

THE FACT IS, KEITH IS TRYING TO DISTRACT FROM HIS INCREDIBLY ABYSMAL RECORD IN OFFICE.

THE FACT IS, HE'S THE MOST RECKLESS AND EXTREME ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT WE'VE EVER HAD AND HE'S TRYING TO DISTRACT FROM THAT.

>> Eric: CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE WAR ON DRUG?

>> WE CAN.

BUT TO CALL THESE THINGS CRISIS, PREGNANCY CENTERS, IS A MISREPRESENTATION.

THEY GIVE INFORMATION OUT THAT SAYS THAT ABORTION CAUSES CANCER, THESE THINGS ARE NOT TRUE.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> YEAH, THEY HAVE A LONG RECORD.

AND, SO, -- BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT -- >> Eric: PAROLE BOARD, EXPUNGEMENT, GETTING -- WHAT KIND OF PROSECUTION RECORD, WHAT KIND OF PARTICIPATION WILL YOU HAVE IN THE NEW DRUG POLICY IN MINNESOTA?

>> YOU KNOW, LET ME TELL YOU, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT I BELIEVE THAT, OU KNOW, THAT MINNESOTA SHOULD JOIN STATES THAT HAVE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

I'VE TAKEN THAT POSITION IN THE PAST.

I THINK THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE ARRESTING PEOPLE FOR THIS.

IF CALIFORNIA, OREGON, AND WASHINGTON AND MICHIGAN AND SO MANY OTHER STATES.

WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE IN ALL SIDES.

WE SHOULD LEARN FROM THESE STATES.

BUT, YEAH, OF COURSE, OUR OFFICE WILL WEIGH IN.

WE AVE FOLKS WHO -- IT WILL AFFECT MINNESOTANS AND, SO, WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: WAR ON DRUGS.

>> ONE KEY THING THAT WE HAVE TO DO IN OUR STATE IS ACTUALLY DEAL WITH HE FENTANYL CRISIS.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DIE EVERY YEAR IN MINNESOTA BASED ON FENTANYL.

I'M AFRAID WE HAVEN'T HAD STATE LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.

THE FACT IS, WE NEED TRUE LEADERS TO WITH THE INCREDIBLE SUPPLY OF FENTANYL COMING INTO OUR STATE.

AGGRESSIVELY PROSECUTE INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN DISTRIBUTING IT.

I'M PROUD TO SAY, I JOINED WITH THE BIPARTISAN COALITION OF 18 ATTORNEYS GENERAL FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO ASK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO DECLARE IT A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN ORDER TO FREE UP FEDERAL RESOURCES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S FEDERAL COORDINATION WITH THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT AND OTHERWISE TO UNDERMINE THESE FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT ARE PURPOSING IN -- PUMPING IN EXTRAORDINARY DEPENDENT FOLLOW INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE MORAL ISSUE.

THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES WHO ARE BEING DESTROYED EVERY YEAR, EITHER TAKEN OR DESTROYED OTHERWISE BY FENTANYL.

FAMILIES DESTROYED.

AND WE HAVE TO HAVE TRUE LEADERSHIP ON THAT.

>> Eric: WOULD YOU GO AFTER THE DRUG MAKERS?

>> WELL, IN THE CASE OF FENTANYL RIGHT NOW, IT'S ALL THESE FOREIGN COMPANIES, FOREIGN COMPANIES FROM CHINA AND ELSEWHERE.

I MEAN, TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE'S A LEGAL MEANS TO DO SO, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY GO AFTER THEM EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

>> THIS IS WHAT JIM SAYS HE WILL DO.

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT WE, IN FACT, HAVE DONE.

WE HAVE SETTLED NINE CASES INVOLVING NOT JUST MANUFACTURERS OF OPIOIDS, BUT ALSO DISTRIBUTORS, AND MARKETERS.

WE'VE GOTTEN NINE SEPARATE SETTLEMENTS.

WE BROUGHT BACK $300 MILLION, IN FACT, A PORTION OF THAT PAYMENT JUST AME BACK TODAY -- NOT TODAY BUT WITHIN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

>> Eric: HOW'S THAT MONEY USED?

>> THAT MONEY WILL BE USED FOR TREATMENT.

AND THAT'S PART OF OUR STRATEGY TO MAKE SURE HAT WE ARE DEALING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME.

IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE THING.

IT'S PROSECUTING VIOLENT CRIMINALS, BUT IT'S ALSO DEALING WITH TREATMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT MONEY TO DEAL WITH TREATMENT, PREVENTION, AND EDUCATING DRUG COUNSELORS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE QUITE ENOUGH RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: WELL, BEYOND THE GET TOUGH ON CRIME, YOU KNOW, STATEMENT -- >> YEAH.

>> Eric: -- WHAT ELSE IS PART OF YOUR HOLISTIC APPROACH TO REDUCING CRIME?

>> HE DOESN'T HAVE A HOLISTIC APPROACH.

HE HAS ONE WAY TO DO THIS.

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD.

>> IF I MAY.

I WOULD SAY A FEW THINGS.

WE HAVE TO W THE MENTAL HEALTH -- WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN OUR STATE, AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE SAW COMING OUT OF COVID AND OTHERWISE, EXTRAORDINARY INCREASES IN MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

IT'S AFFECTED MY OWN LIFE, I HAVE A BROTHER WHO'S SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL.

THE FACT IS, THERE ARE CLOSE CONNECTIONS, MANY TYPES OF CRIME, THINGS LIKE DRUG USE, THINGS LIKE THAT TO MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND I DO BELIEVE, THIS IS AN AREA WHERE THE OFFICE CAN LEAD, WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AROUND OUR STATE, MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH THIS INCREDIBLE CRISIS IN MENTAL HEALTH.

>> Cathy: ERIC BROUGHT UP THE PAROLE BOARD, WHICH, OF COURSE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SERVES ON THE PAROLE BOARD.

I BELIEVE YOU SAID YOU TALKED ABOUT WANTED TO COMMUTE THE SENTENCE OF KIM POTTER, THE OFFICER WHO SHOT DAUNTE WRIGHT.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: DO YOU HAVE OTHER COMMUNE STATIONS IN MIND IF YOU WERE ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHERS IN MIND.

ON KIM POTTER, SHE'S A WOMAN, SHE COMMITTED A SERIOUS MISTAKE FOR WHICH THERE SHOULD BE CONSEQUENCES.

MY VIEW HAS BEEN, WHEN ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON UPCHARGED HER TO FIRST-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER, AFTER IT WAS RECOMMENDED IT TO BE SECOND OR THIRD-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER, IT WAS A FUNDAMENTALLY POLITICAL MOVE.

WE CAN'T HAVE THAT.

WE NEED AN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT IS ABOUT DELIVERING JUSTICE INSTEAD OF POLITICS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS THIRD-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER.

BUT I WILL SAY THAT HERE'S WHAT THE CHARGE WAS -- HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED.

MY GOOD FRIEND PETE ORPUT WHO HAD REPRESENTED WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR SO LONG.

>> Cathy: WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> HE AGREED TO TAKE THE CASE OUT OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

AND, SO, THEN WHEN HE BECAME TERMINALLY ILL, THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE THE CASE.

AND WE AGREED TO DO SO.

BUT WE TOOK A FRESH LOOK AT THE FACE.

AT THE CASE.

AND, LOOK, WHAT, IN FACT, HAPPENED IS THAT KIM POTTER SHOT AND KILLED DAUNTE WRITING WHEN -- WRIGHT WHEN SHE HAD A GLOCK IN HER HAND WHEN SHE DOESN'T KNOW -- DIDN'T KNOW IT.

THAT'S WHAT CAN E CALL RECKLESS DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM.

WHEN THAT LEADS TO DEATH, THAT IS FIRST-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER.

WE CHARGED HER WITH WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

BUT WHAT JIM DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW, BECAUSE HE HAS NEVER BEEN AROUND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IS THAT SENTENCING AND WHAT THE CHARGE IS ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

WHEN JUDGE CHU GAVE HER A REDUCED SENTENCE, WE DID NOT APPEAL THAT.

AND I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT, LOOK, THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF PROOF IN A COURT CASE -- CRIMINAL CASE IS PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

A JURY OF 12 MINNESOTANS FOUND KIM POTTER GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT BASED ON A CHARGE THAT WAS UPHELD BY JUDGE CHU AND SHE GOT A SENTENCE WHICH I THINK IS APPROPRIATE.

THERE'S NOTHING POLITICAL ABOUT THIS.

IN FACT, BACK TO THE PAROLE BOARD, WHAT I DO, WHAT JUSTICE GILDEA DOES, WHAT THE GOVERNOR DOES IS READS EVERY FILE AND THEN DECIDES HOW THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A SITUATION WHERE SOMEBODY WOULD PROMISE WITHOUT REVIEWING THE FILE -- NOW, I WILL BE THE FIRST -- I KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE KIM POTTER CASE.

SHE, I THINK, WAS GENUINELY SORRY FOR WHAT SHE DID.

BUT I THINK IT IS POLITICAL TO JUST AY, YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE A POSITION ON A CASE WITHOUT EVEN READING THE WHOLE CASE.

>> Eric: I WANT TO ASK YOU BOTH A QUESTION ABOUT COVID AND THE EXECUTIVE POWERS THAT THE GOVERNOR AD.

>> SURE.

>> Eric: DID YOU GUYS GO A LITTLE OVERBOARD ON SUING BUSINESSES FOR NOT -- YOU KNOW, FOR NOT HAVING MASKS AND STUFF?

>> NO.

WHAT WE DID IS WE SAVED LIVES, ERIC.

I MEAN, THE FACT IS, THERE ARE 10,000 RESTAURANTS, ABOUT 1500 BARS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, ALMOST EVERYBODY PUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES FIRST.

WE HAD SOME PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T.

WE TRIED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM AND THEY WOULDN'T LISTEN.

AND, SO, WE COULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO FLOUT THE LAW.

IN FACT, WE DO -- WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

HERE'S THE THING.

WE HAD BEEN TO COURT ON THIS A LOT.

WE HAD ABOUT 24 CASES THAT WENT TO COURT.

AND WE WON EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

I WOULD SAY, ACCORDING TO THE JUDGES, WE DID WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> Cathy: WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IF YOU WERE A.G.?

>> WELL, I'D SAY A FEW THINGS.

AS I TRAVELED AROUND THE STATE HERE, THE PEOPLE RESENT WHAT WENT ON DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

PEOPLE REALLY RESENT THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, MANY OTHERS SAT ON THEIR HANDS WHILE HALF OF MINNEAPOLIS' STREETS BURNED.

BUT THEY HAD ALL THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO AGGRESSIVELY PROSECUTE EVERY USINESS THAT WAS OPEN, FRANKLY, CHURCHES AS WELL.

I EAN, I AS DEEPLY DISTURBED, THE WAY THAT YOU CAN HAVE TARGET OPEN DOWN THE STREET AND CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, MOSQUES, ALL CLOSED.

THAT WAS A BLATANT VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN PART.

I WOULD HAVE ADVISED THE GOVERNOR TO CLOSE DOWN CHURCHES WHILE TARGET IS OPEN IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

I WOULD HAVE NEVER ALLOWED THAT TO HAPPEN.

WHAT I WOULD HAVE INSISTED, EVEN AS WE DEAL WITH THE SERIOUS ISSUE OF COVID, INCREDIBLY SERIOUS ISSUE, NOBODY CAN MINIMIZE IT, WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED, THAT PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE UPHELD.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE.

>> YOU KNOW, LOOK, ALL 50 STATES HAD SOME FORM OF A SHUTDOWN OR QUARANTINE OR ALL, ALL, CONSERVATIVE, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN.

SO THIS IDEA THAT HE WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING DIFFERENT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE NOT EVEN RON DESANTIS NEVER CLOSED.

NOT EVEN OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA, NEVER NEVER CLOSED.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] BUT LET ME JUST FINISH AND SAY, LOOK, NOBODY WANTED TO IMPOSE THE RESTRICTIONS.

BUT WE NEVER SHUT DOWN A CHURCH OR A MOSQUE OR A SYNAGOGUE.

AND HERE'S THE THING.

WHAT WE DID IS WE ASKED PEOPLE TO DO SOME THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

CHURCHES, THEY HAD PATIAL DISTANCING, SOME OF THEM USED LIVESTREAMING.

MY BROTHER'S CHURCH DID THAT.

THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE COOPERATED AND WORKED WITH.

BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS THING CLAIMED THE LIVES OF OVER 13,700 MINNESOTANS, PEOPLE DIED.

LET'S NOT FORGET, LOOK, THANKSGIVING'S COMING UP.

THERE ARE TABLES THAT WON'T HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER BECAUSE OF THIS LETHAL DISEASE.

WE TRIED TO PROTECT PEOPLE.

AND I THINK WE DID THE RIGHT THING.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOUR OPPONENTS' ENDORSEMENTS SAY ABOUT HIS CAMPAIGN?

>> WELL, ET ME SAY -- >> Cathy: BECAUSE YOU'VE ALL BEEN ENDORSED BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS.

WHAT DOES YOUR OPPONENT'S ENDORSEMENT SAY ABOUT HIS CAMPAIGN?

>> IGHT, RIGHT, WELL, LOOK, I THINK -- LET'S JUST GET IT ON THE TABLE.

BOB FLETCHER -- >> Cathy: RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF.

>> RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF, HAS BEEN SUED FOR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION FOR DISALLOWING BLACK SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE ARREST OF DEREK CHAUVIN.

THIS IS IN THE NEWS.

RAMSEY COUNTY HAD O PAY $1.5 MILLION BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED UNDER BOB FLETCHER'S WATCH.

AND THE RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSION ISSUED A PUBLIC APOLOGY.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> I DON'T EXPECT BOB FLETCHER TO SUPPORT ME.

HE GOT IN TROUBLE FOR -- >> Cathy: HE'S SUPPORTING YOU.

ALONG WITH OTHER SHERIFFS.

>> I DON'T EXPECT HIM TO.

LET ME TELL YOU, I HAVE A LOT OF POLICE SUPPORT.

CORKY FINNEY SUPPORTS ME.

>> Cathy: FORMER POLICE CHIEF.

>> DEBBIE MONTGOMERY SUPPORTS ME.

I HAVE A LOT OF POLICE SUPPORT.

BUT THE FEDERATION, THEY PAID OVER MILLION DOLLARS FOR DEREK CHAUVIN'S DEFENSE.

SO LET ME JUST SAY, HIS SUPPORTERS ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE UPSET WITH ME BECAUSE I PROSECUTED DEREK CHAUVIN.

>> Eric: SAME QUESTION.

>> WHAT YOU HAVE SAID, KEITH, THERE IS DEEPLY DISTURBING.

THE FACT IS, SHERIFF FLETCH CERTIFY A REALLY WELL RESPECTED SHERIFF IN THIS STATE.

I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY 38 OTHER SHERIFFS.

>> Eric: HAT ABOUT THE GENERAL'S ENDORSEMENT.

>> ARE YOU AWARE OF THE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CASE.

ARE YOU AWARE OF IT?

>> I KNOW YOU WANT TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF CHARACTER ASSASSINATION.

THE FACT S I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY MORE MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THAN ANY CANDIDATE IN THE HISTORY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

YOU'VE BEEN RECKLESS AND EXTREME WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR STATE.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE HAVE ABANDONED OU, KEITH.

WHEN IT COMES TO ATTORNEY GENERALS -- >> AND YET YOU'VE NEVER PROSECUTED A SINGLE CASE IN YOUR LIFE.

AND, YET, I'VE PROSECUTED 46 AND CONVICTED 26.

SO, I MEAN, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

I WOULDN'T BE -- I MEAN, WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY SAY?

THAT YOU'VE NEVER DONE THE JOB AT ALL.

>> Eric: OKAY.

GO AHEAD.

>> I THINK THE FACT THAT SO MANY MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE STOOD UP WITH ME IS REPRESENTATIVE OF JUST HOW MUCH CONFIDENCE THEY HAVE IN MY ABILITY TO DO THE JOB.

>> BASED ON NO RECORD.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOUR OPPONENT'S ENDORSEMENT SAY ABOUT HIS AMPAIGN?

>> HE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE CALLING AROUND, ALL AROUND THE STATE TO TRY TO ET COUNTY ATTORNEYS, THE 87 COUNTY ATTORNEYS TO ENDORSE HIM.

I THINK HE CAME UP WITH NINE OR SO.

YOU KNOW, SOME FOLKS IN THE METRO THAT, FRANKLY, HAVE PARTNERED WITH HIM TO -- IN THE INCREDIBLE FAILURE THAT IS HAVE BEEN PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE METRO OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

MIKE FREEMAN IS A MAN WHO IS, YOU KNOW -- >> IS A GOOD MAN.

>> Eric: HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> S A GOOD PERSON.

>> HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY.

GRAND JURY NEGOTIATIONS.

>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE.

>> REFUSED TO SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT AROUND THAT.

>> Eric: I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

WE DON'T.

>> I'M GOING TO DEFEND MY FRIEND MIKE FREEMAN, HE'S A GOOD MAN, HAS DONE A GOOD JOB, HE'S PROTECTED THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY.

I'M SORRY YOU SAID ABOUT HIM.

>> Eric: WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TWO OMING DOWN.

BEST OF LUCK TO BOTH OF YOU.

WE'LL SEE YOU ON OVEMBER 8th.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THIS FALL AT DEBATES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY THE MODERATORS ARE ASKING CANDIDATES WHO HAVE BEEN SNARLING AT EACH OTHER FOR MONTHS TO SAY SOMETHING NICE ABOUT THEIR OPPONENT AND, OF COURSE, IN MINNESOTA, WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING * *THE * * * *NICEST * * * *STATE.

* *.

SO, I WASN'’T SURPRISED AT THE SWEET BRO COMMENTS THAT SPRANG UP DURING THE RECENT GOVERNOR'’S DEBATE WHEN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE SCOTT JENSEN SAID GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAD A NICE SMILE.

AWHHHH, THAT'’S SO NICE.

I DON'’T KNOW ABOUT Y'’ALL, BUT I LOVE IT WHEN SOMEBODY COMPLIEMENTS ME ON MY SMILE.

IT MAKES ME FEEL ALL WARM AND TINGLY INSIDE.

NOW IN RESPONSE, GOVERNOR WALZ SAID HE APPRECIATES HOW DR. JENSEN ALWAYS PUTS HIS FAMILY FIRST.

I HOPE CANDIDATES IN OTHER STATES HAVE PICKED UP ON THE WAY WE DO * *NICE * * HERE IN THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES.

YOU KNOW, NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, DEBATES CAN BE TRICKY.

POLITICAL HOPEFULS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO PREP FOR WEEKS TRYING TO REMEMBER TALKING POINTS ON ALL THE ISSUES AND COMING UP WITH COMPLIMENTS ON THE SPOT MAY BE A BIT CHALLENGING.

SO I'’VE COME UP WITH A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR FOLKS RUNNING FOR OFFICE WHO MAY RUN INTO PROBLEMS FINDING NICE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT SOMEONE THEY'’VE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DISPARAGING.

"YOU DON'’T LOOK TOO FAT IN THAT SHIRT" WILL ALWAYS WORK.

"I BELIEVE YOU HAVE NICE HANDWRITING" OFFERS SO MUCH HOPE.

"YOUR DOGS SEEMS TO LIKE YOU" SHOWS YOUR OPPONENT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE TRUSTED.

"THE PART IN YOUR HAIR IS USUALLY STRAIGHT" SHOWS FOCUS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: ANOTHER ACTIVE WEEK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH DEBATES, PRESS CONFERENCES AND UPROAR.

MARY LAHAMMER GIVES IT ALL CONTEXT.

HER REPORT INCLUDES THE PERSPECTIVE OF ONE LAWMAKER WHOSE EXPERIENCE IN RURAL MINNESOTA PROVIDES VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUE OF DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME... >> Mary: IN ROCHESTER, THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR MET IN THEIR ONLY TELEVISED DEBATE THAT DID NOT AIR WHERE THE MOST VOTES ARE IN THE METRO.

>> AS GOVERNOR, I WON'T BAN ABORTION.

I CAN'T.

>> HE MOCKED ME AND SAID, NO KIDDING, SHERLOCK, I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR TO GET THINGS DONE.

WE'RE GOING TO BAN ABORTION.

>> Mary: LITTLE MEANINGFUL INTERACTION WAS ALLOWED IN THE SCRIPTED FORMAT.

>> YOU'LL EACH GET 30 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

>> I THINK TIM WALZ IS AN AFFABLE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS A WONDERFUL SMILE.

>> Mary: GREATER MINNESOTA ISSUES WERE ADDRESSED.

>> IF IT'S AGRICULTURE, IF IT'S MEDICAL DEVICES, IF IT'S MINING, IF WE CAN DO SO SAFELY AND SMARTLY, WE'LL DO IT.

>> Mary: RURAL MINNESOTA ALSO MADE NEWS WHEN A FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER POSED A QUESTION IN HIS CURRENT POSITION AS A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA REGENT.

>> I RECEIVED A COUPLE LETTERS, TWO, ACTUALLY, FROM FRIENDS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO MORRIS.

BECAUSE IT IS TOO DIVERSE, LET'S SAY, A CAMPUS.

THEY JUST DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE THERE.

>> I THOUGHT IT SHOWED COMPLETE IGNORANCE OF WHAT THE CAMPUS LIFE WAS LIKE ON MORRIS.

I FELT REALLY BAD AND HURT.

I AM OFTEN IN SPACES WHERE I AM THE ONLY ONE OR THERE'S VERY FEW OF ME.

AND I'VE HAD TO LEARN TO NAVIGATE THAT, I'VE HAD TO LEARN TO BE COMFORTABLE.

WHENEVER I HEAR COMMENTS ABOUT DIVERSITY BEING A BAD THING, I ABSOLUTELY KNOW, I LIVE IT, IT WASN'T A BAD THING.

>> Mary: THE RISING STAR STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHO'S RUNNING UNOPPOSED CAME TO MINNESOTA FOR SCHOOL AND SPORTS AT MORRIS.

>> HEN I ATTENDED MORRIS, I THINK AT THAT TIME WE HAD THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF DIVERSITY AMONG THE CAMPUSES.

DIVERSITY WAS A GREAT THING FOR ME AND MY CLASSMATES.

THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED AND HOW TO NAVIGATE, PARTICULARLY WHITE SPACES AND CULTURE OUTSIDE OF THE ONE I WAS RAISED IN CHICAGO, IS THE REASON I'M STANDING HERE WITH YOU TODAY.

IT'S THE REASON I'VE BEEN ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND IT WAS A AY FOR ME TO LEARN HOW TO BUILD BRIDGES AND TO CONNECT WITH FOLKS.

AND THAT REALLY WAS BENEFICIAL TO MY SUCCESS AT MORRIS AND MANY OF THE STUDENTS THERE.

NOT ONLY BLACK, BROWN, BUT ALSO THE WHITE STUDENTS, BECAUSE THEY HAD NEVER HAD INTERACTIONS IN SOME CASES WITH ANYONE OUTSIDE OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: SVIGGUM HAS APOLOGIZED BUT ONLY THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE POWER TO ELECT REGENTS.

>> I THINK IT'S A DISQUALIFIER, I WOULD VOTE TO REMOVE HIM.

HE USED TO BE A COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR.

THAT SEEMED LIKE A VERY HUGE MISTAKE FOR SOMEONE THAT SHOULD KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE.

IN MANY WAYS WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT ON THE GROUND, IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY AS A STATE AND AS A COUNTRY TO HOPEFULLY FACE IT AND ROOT IT OUT.

>> Mary: THIS ELECTION CYCLE DEMOCRATS STILL HAVE AN ENORMOUS CASH ADVANTAGE, SO REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO LEVERAGE FREE MEDIA WITH A BEVY OF PRESS CONFERENCES.

>> THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT THEY MADE A SITE VISIT THAT CAUGHT ANY FRAUD.

AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THEY ACTUALLY HAD MADE A SITE VISIT, THEY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT THE FRAUD.

>> Mary: AN ANGRY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER SAYS THE GOVERNOR STILL HASN'T EXPLAINED A TIMELINE FOR THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE FRAUD AND SAYS THE SCANDAL WILL HELP REPUBLICANS WIN BACK THE CHAMBER.

>> E'RE VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT TAKING BACK THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, THE NUMBERS HAVE MOVED OUR WAY SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> Mary: THE REPUBLICAN STATE AUDITOR CANDIDATE HAS ALMOST WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCES IN A ACE THAT RARELY GOT COVERED BEFORE.

>> WHEN THESE BIG SCANDALS HAPPEN, THIS HE WANT TO HEAR WHAT'S BEING DONE ABOUT IT.

>> Mary: THE NUMBERS ARE TIGHT IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

WHERE REPUBLICAN TYLER KISTNER UNSUCCESS APPLY TRIED TO -- UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO MAKE AN ISSUE OUT OF MAILINGS WHICH CONGRESSMAN ANGIE CRAIG PROVED WERE LEGIT.

EVEN THOUGH THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR APPEARS LOSE, WALZ HASN'T AGREED TO A DEBATE ON STATEWIDE OR TWIN CITIES TELEVISION, RUNNING COUNTER TO NATIONAL TRENDS OF REPUBLICAN TRENDS BACKING AWAY FROM FORUMS.

>> SEEMS TO BE A THEME WITH DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES, NONE OF THEM WANT TO HAVE DEBATES, THAT'S VERY UNUSUAL.

>> Mary: THE DFL PARTY CHAIR WANTS HIS CANDIDATES TO DEBATE AND HE KNOWS ALL THE CONSTITUTIONAL RACES ARE CLOSED.

>> IN A JUMP BALL, SCENARIO, RIGHT, IN A TIED GAME, IF YOU BELIEVE IT'S TIED, AND I DON'T, THAT ADVANTAGE HAS TO GO TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE GROUND GAME, HAVE THE ABILITY TO TURN OUT THEIR VOTERS, HAVE THE RESOURCES IN THESE FINAL FEW WEEKS TO GET THEIR MESSAGE OUT.

♪ OH, YEAH ♪ >> ERIC: AS WE JUST HEARD, IT WAS A BUSY WEEK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT ALL THAT AND THE CHANGES THAT MIGHT COME TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE NEXT SESSION.

HERE TO HELP US DO THAT, TWO FORMER LEADERS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

AMY KOCH IS A REPUBLICAN WHO ONCE WAS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER IN ST. PAUL.

DEMOCRAT JEFF HAYDEN IS HERE.

HE'S A FORMER ASSISTANT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

SENATOR KOCH, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE A.G.

DEBATE?

>> SPICY.

I LIKE A SPICY DEBATE.

IT SURE WAS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY BOTH GOT IN SOME PRETTY GOOD POINTS.

I THINK THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON DROVE HOME ABOUT THE CONSUMER PROTECTION PIECE OF THE JOB, WHICH IS IMPORTANT, AND I THINK SCORED SOME POINTS THERE.

AND THEN YOU JUST CANNOT IGNORE THAT JIM SCHULTZ MADE ALL THE POINTS WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH IN KIND OF IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, CRIME IS GOING -- AND PUBLIC SAFETY'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE ISSUES.

>> I THOUGHT THAT KEITH SHOWED THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THE JOB, THAT HE KNOWS WHAT TO, DO THAT HE HAS THE EXPERIENCE.

I THINK THAT JIM DID KIND OF MAKE THIS ISSUE OF, THAT'S IN THE POLLS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRIED TO REALLY PUT THAT IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LAP.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW THAT, I THINK KEITH REALLY TALKED ABOUT, THAT JOB IS REALLY AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THAT HE SUPPORTS THEM, AND I THOUGHT RIGHT AT THE END WHEN KEITH STARTED TO TALK ABOUT ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON, STARTED TALKING ABOUT DEREK CHAUVIN, THE WORK THAT HE'S DONE THERE, I THOUGHT THAT WAS SHOWING THAT HE HAS THE PUBLIC SAFETY CHOPS THAT HE NEEDS.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT THIS RACE IS SO CLOSE?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M NOT.

ALL THESE RACES ARE REALLY CLOSE, FRANKLY.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT HISTORICALLY, YOU KNOW, THIS IDEA OF A MIDTERM, EVERYTHING SHOULD BE CLOSE.

AND I'M SURPRISED SOME OF THE OTHER RACES AREN'T EVEN CLOSER.

SO I'M NOT.

AND WE HAD AN EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION, NOT ONLY COVID BUT THIS ISSUE OF GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER AND THE AFTERMATH OF IT, AND THEN COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, CRIME AND SAFETY, PEOPLE ARE FEELING THAT AND THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S FAULT OR NOT.

>> Eric: IT WAS ROCKY FOR REPUBLICANS RIGHT AFTER THE ROE V. WADE DECISION AFTER THE SUPREME COURT.

AS I'M READING THIS WEEK, I GET THE SENSE MAYBE AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT REPUBLICANS ARE COMING HOME.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE COMING HOME.

PEOPLE ARE JUST REALIZING STILL WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THEIR WALLETS, AND THERE'S STILL INFLATION, ECONOMY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY HAVE RISEN BACK UP TO THE TOP, AS THEY WILL EVERY SINGLE IME WHEN IT COMES TO AN ELECTION.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A POOR RECORD ON IT.

THEY SIMPLY DO.

IT'S THE LARGEST -- IT'S 21% INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA N THE LAST YEAR.

THEY WANT TO HOLD SOMEONE ACCOUNTABLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE FOLKS AT THE TOP, THE GOV, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THEY'RE ALL DEMOCRATS AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

GOVERNOR.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT REPUBLICANS WANT YOU TO SAY.

SHE TOOK A SHALL LACKING WHEN THE LEAKED DOBBS DECISION CAME OUT.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY REALLY STILL PASSIONATE ABOUT THE ISSUE.

OVER DAY WHEN THEY GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, THAT MATTERS TO THEM.

CRIME AND SAFETY, IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN MINNEAPOLIS, ONCE THEY KIND OF GOT IT TOGETHER, THEY GOT GREAT LEADERS THERE, THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN MINNEAPOLIS, MEME ARE DOWNTOWN, PEOPLE ARE AT THE INVOLVES GAME TONIGHT, HOPEFULLY THEY'RE STILL WATCHING US.

SO I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT REPUBLICANS WANT YOU TO THINK.

BUT I ACTUALLY THINK THAT THINGS HAVE SETTLED DOWN ON THE CRIME AND SAFETY FRONT BUT THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS DOBBS DECISION.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SUBURBS, THOUGH, THAT MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT KIND OF THOUGHT IN THE SUBURBS IN TERMS OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING OUT THERE?

>> RIGHT.

AND, YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, EVERYONE HAS A STAKE IN HOW WELL MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL DOES, RIGHT?

THEY'RE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF OUR STATE.

SO WHETHER YOU'RE IN THE SUBURBS, WINONA, YOU CARE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MINNEAPOLIS.

NOT TO MENTION, FOLKS IN THE SUBURBS HAVE KIDS THAT GO TO THE U OF M, YOU SEE THE CRIME THAT'S HAPPENING AT THE U OF M CAMPUS.

FOLKS IN THE SUBURBS ARE -- IN GREATER MINNESOTA HAVE CHILDREN THAT LIVE DOWNTOWN AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE HEARING ABOUT THE CARJACKINGS OR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BEING STOLEN, ALL THE TERRIBLE THINGS THAT YOU HEAR EVERY SINGLE DAY COMING OUT OF, YOU KNOW, OUT OF OUR COMMUNITIES IS DISTURBING FOR SOME PEOPLE.

SO, IT'S NOT US, IT'S NOT GOP MAKING THIS AN ISSUE.

IT'S THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA SAYING, WHAT IS GOING ON?

AND WHO'S IN CHARGE?

>> Cathy: AND, SO, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SUBURBS, WHERE DO YOU THINK THE SUBURBAN VOTERS ARE GOING TO GO?

HOW WILL THEY BREAK?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK WE HAVE TO KIND OF WEIGH THAT.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT INDEPENDENT VOTERS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, WOMEN USUALLY SOMETIMES ARE IN CHARGE OF THEIR HOUSEHOLDS, I THINK THAT THIS ISSUE ABOUT ABORTION IS EALLY A BIGGER ISSUE ABOUT REPEALING PEOPLE'S RIGHTS.

SO I'M GOING -- I'M IN AN INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE, I TALK ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME, THERE WAS AT ONE POINT WHEN THAT WAS ILLEGAL.

THERE WAS ONE POINT, I WAS 3/5 OF A MAN.

I KNOW IT SOUNDS DRAMATIC.

THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT.

HOW FAR DOES THIS GO?

PEOPLE PUSH BACK TO SAY THAT THE DOBBS DECISION WAS WRONG, BUT WE'RE REALLY WRONG BECAUSE IT'S REPEALING PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, HOW AR DO WE DEPOT?

>> Eric: REDISTRICTING, RETIREMENTS, PAIRINGS, IMPACT OF ALL THAT ON THE MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE COME JANUARY?

>> MASSIVE IMPACT.

OVER A THIRD OF THE LEGISLATURE'S GOING TO BE NEW.

I DON'T EVER REMEMBER A TIME WHEN THAT WAS THE CASE.

AND THAT'S IF EVERYONE WINS.

THAT'S RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT A THIRD.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO LOSE AND THERE'S A BUNCH OF FOLKS THAT WERE ELECTED IN 2020 THAT HAVE NEVER GONE THROUGH A REGULAR SESSION.

THEY'VE ALL BEEN HYBRID SO THEN YOU'VE GOT THE KIND OF NEWBIES THEMSELVES, THEY'VE STILL GOT TO FIND THE BATHROOMS.

AND, SO, IT IS GOING TO BE A SESSION, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I HOPE OF OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE I THINK THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF NEW FACES AND A LOT OF NEW MINDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING THEIR HEADS TO THESE DIFFICULT ISSUES.

THERE'S GOING TO BE, A LEARNING CURVE, THERE JUST IS.

I REMEMBER MY FIRST COUPLE YEARS, MY FIRST YEAR, I DIDN'T SPEAK EXCEPT FOR ONCE ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE, ONE TIME, IT WAS TO DO SOMETHING ON A RESOLUTION.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE BETTER TO STAY QUIET, BE AUGHT A FOOL THEN OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT.

THAT'S WHAT I DECIDED TO LIVE BY.

THERE'S JUST A LEARNING CURVE WHEN YOU FIRST GET THERE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH THAT, TOO, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF NEW FOLKS.

AND THAT'S IF THE GOVERNOR AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND ALL THOSE RACES DON'T TURN OVER.

WHICH, AT THIS POINT, IT IS DEAD EVEN IN THOSE RACES.

SO IT COULD HAPPEN.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY TO BE SPENT.

WE DIDN'T DO A BONDING BILL LAST YEAR.

TAX BILL ON THE TABLE, WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF THAT DEAL IS GOING TO BE IN PLAY.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY HAT HAS TO BE SPENT OR A LOFT RESOURCES HAVE TO BE SPENT AND THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET THEIR BUDGET DONE.

SO, FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T THINK THEY'LL GET IT DONE IN TIME.

AND NOT JUST BECAUSE OF INTRANSIGENCE, I DON'T THINK THEY'LL HAVE ENOUGH TIME.

SECONDLY, THEY HAVE TO REALLY FIGURE OUT, LIKE, HOW DO WE GET THAT MONEY OUT OF THE DOOR?

AND THEN WE DO HAVE THE ISSUE OF INFLATION, RIGHT?

SO THINGS COST MORE.

RIGHT?

SO, YOU KNOW, HOW DOES THAT WORK?

YOU KNOW, SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

SO ALL OF THAT HAS TO BE KIND OF FLUSHED OUT.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO FIGURE OUT, LIKE, HOW DO THEY WORK THIS OUT.

HERE'S WHAT I THINK HAPPENS.

I THINK THE LEADERS, AS MUCH AS EVERYBODY SAYS HAT THEY DON'T LIKE T THE LEADERS WILL DRIVE KIND OF THIS PROCESS MORE THAN EVER.

BECAUSE THE NEW PEOPLE WILL BE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Cathy: SO DOES THE HOUSE FLIP?

>> I THINK THE HOUSE FLIPS.

I THINK THE SENATE STAYS REPUBLICAN.

I THINK THE HOUSE LIPS.

THE POLLS ARE JUST -- I MEAN, JUST LAST WEEK, THE GENERIC BALLOT, WHICH I WATCHED, AS AT 1.9 PLUS REPUBLICAN.

IT'S NOW AT PLUS 3.3.

IF THAT RATE CONTINUES, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO BE AT, PLUS 6, PLUS 7 ON ELECTION DAY, WE'RE TWO AND A HALF WEEKS STILL OUT FROM ELECTION DAY.

FOR COMPARISON, IN 2010, WHICH WAS A REPUBLICAN ROUT, THE GENERIC BALLOT WAS AT A PLUS 9.

SO WE'RE EDGING INTO SOME SERIOUS GOP TERRITORY.

>> Eric: DOES THE EARLY VOTING GIVE US ANY INDICATION - OF WHERE THIS IS HEADED?

>> IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT.

I THINK THE HOUSE, AS WELL, I'VE TALKED TO BOTH CAUCUS LEADERS, IT FEELS LIKE THE HOUSE, YOU KNOW, IS DOING WELL.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE TIGHT.

AND THE SENATE HAS A PATH.

RIGHT?

LIKE EVERYBODY KIND OF GAVE AWAY THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE.

THERE'S A PATH.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SEAT THAT SENATOR BAKK USED TO HAVE, THE SEAT THAT SENATOR EKEN USED TO HAVE, THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE HAVE A PATH.

YOU -- THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF HARD WORK, UPSETS, I THINK IT'S CLOSER THAN PEOPLE THINK.

>> EITHER WAY, THE DIVIDE IN THE SENATE IS GOING TO BE VERY I NARROW, IF THE GOP HOLDS, IT'S GOING TO BE BY A COUPLE SEATS.

>> Eric: POST PANNED DOOR -- PANDEMIC DOOR KNOCKING, THAT WASN'T ALLOWED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

REPUBLICAN TOLD ME TODAY, HE THOUGHT THE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN MECHANICS AND STRUCTURE WAS SUPERIOR TO THE REPUBLICANS.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE THEY ALL KIND OF WORK THROUGH THE DFL, RIGHT?

I THINK AMY WILL SAY THAT THE REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE THAT STRUCTURE FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE, ACTUALLY, ON THE DOORS IN THE HOUSE DISTRICT, THE SENATE DISTRICTS.

WHERE THINGS SEEM TO BE A LITTLE CLOSER AND THOSE CANDIDATES SEEM TO KNOW THEIR DISTRICT EVEN MORE.

BUT AT THE STATEWIDE LEVEL, I THINK THE DFL -- [ Indiscernible ] >> Eric: THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD A SHAKE-UP, ALL KINDS OF STUFF, MONEY HAS EEN A CHALLENGE.

>> STATEWIDE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CHALLENGE, RIGHT?

WE HAVE NOT WON A STATEWIDE RACE SINCE PAWLENTY IN 2006.

THAT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR US.

BUT ON THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL, WHAT THAT MEANS IS, THAT UR HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND OUR SENATE VICTORY FUND HAVE HAD TO STRENGTHEN THEIR MUSCLES.

SO I THINK THAT -- I WOULD SAY THAT THEY'RE EQUAL OR POSSIBLY SUPERIOR WHEN IT COMES TO CAMPAIGN GROUND GAME.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS THE YEAR THAT SOMEONE WINS STATEWIDE FOR THE REPUBLICANS?

>> I THINK IT IS.

I THINK THAT YOU'VE GOT A PERFECT STORM HERE, PARTICULARLY AT THE A.G.'S RACE.

I THINK WHERE YOU HAVE GREAT REPUBLICAN YEAR, I THINK YOU HAVE CRIME ON THE BALLOT, WHEN YOU'VE GOT A VERY STRONG PARTISAN A.G., AND WE HAVE A GOOD CANDIDATE.

I HAVE TO GIVE IT TO JIM SCHULTZ.

HE'S BEEN A GOOD CANDIDATE, HE'S RUN A STRONG CAMPAIGN.

>> PEOPLE HAVE COUNTED OUT ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON IN RACES BEFORE, I WOULDN'T COUNT HIM OUT.

I THINK KEITH IS GOING TO WIN.

>> Eric: AND THE GOVERNOR'S RACE?

>> Cathy: POLLS SHOW WALZ AHEAD.

>> YEAH.

I THINK HE'LL WIN BUT IT WILL BE CLOSE.

>> RCP MOVED IT TO A TOSSUP.

>> Cathy: DID THEY?

>> YES, THEY DID.

>> Eric: IT WILL BE A FUN ELECTION NIGHT.

>> IT WILL BE A FUN ELECTION NIGHT.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SQUEEZE IN THE ANSWER TO OUR WEEKLY HISTORY QUESTION.

LAST TIME WE ASKED YOU ABOUT AN EATERY IN MOORHEAD.

IN 1955 THIS RESTAURANT CLAIMED TO HAVE INVENTED A FAMED ITEM THAT IS STILL ON MENUS TODAY ACROSS OUR NATION.

WE TOLD YOU THIS INVENTION IS COMMEMORATED AT THE RESTAURANT WHERE THIS CULINARY HISTORY WAS MADE.

WE GAVE YOU A COUPLE HINTS.

HINT NUMBER ONE.

THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN DELICACY.

HINT NUMBER TWO.

CREATIVE GUESSES WILL BE VALUED.

WHAT MOORHEAD EATERY WAS THE SITE OF FAMED FOOD INVENTION IN 1955?

WE HEARD FROM MANY OF YOU.

LONNIE AND JEFF AND JIM CALLED IN WITH FOND MEMORIES OF THE MARVELOUS BUFFET AT THE COMSTOCK HOTEL.

BUT THE REAL CREATIVITY CAME IN THE FORM OF A RIGHT ANSWER.

MITCHELL, THE POET, IS FAMED FOR CALLING IN WITH RHYMED ANSWERS TO OUR HISTORY QUESTIONS.

BUT THIS WEEK, MITCHELL OUTDID HIMSELF WITH A POETIC MUSICAL COMPOSITION AND PERFORMANCE.

LET'S ALL LISTEN TO MITCHELL'S RIGHT ANSWER, AN ODE TO THE DILLY BAR, WHICH WAS INVENTED AT THE HISTORIC DAIRY QUEEN IN MOORHEAD IN 1955.

WITH APOLOGIES TO LOVERS OF IRELAND EVERYWHERE, TAKE IT AWAY, MITCHELL.

OH, DILLY BAR, THE TEMPS WILL SOON BE FREEZIN'’ >> ERIC: I DON'T THINK THERE'S REALLY MUCH MORE WE CAN SING OR SAY ON THAT ONE.

DO YOU HAVE A HISTORY QUESTION YOU THINK WE SHOULD ASK?

PERHAPS ONE THAT WILL INSPIRE A SONG?

LET US KNOW.

651-229-1430.

>>> TWO NOTES BEFORE WE GO.

ON SUNDAY, TPT WILL ONCE AGAIN AIR THE "FACING RACE" AWARDS, GIVEN OUT BY THE ST. PAUL AND MINNESOTA FOUNDATION.

YOU CAN WATCH THE AWARDS PROGRAM SUNDAY AT 7:00 ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

AND STARTING IN A FEW MINUTES, TWIN CITIES VIEWERS CAN WATCH A LIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA UNDER THE BATON OF NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR THOMAS SUNERGAR.

IT WILL BE A PERFORMANCE OF IGOR STRAVINKSY'S "THE RITE OF SPRING."

THAT'S STARTING AT 8:00 PM FRIDAY NIGHT ON TWIN CITIES PBS.

>>> FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, WE GO TO A RARE CLIP FROM THE TPT ARCHIVES.

IT WAS 48 YEARS AGO TONIGHT THAT TWIN CITIES PBS, THEN KNOWN AS KTCA, BROADCAST THE DEDICATION CONCERT FROM THE NEW ORCHESTRA HALL.

THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA PLAYED STRAVINSKY THAT NIGHT TOO.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT FROM THE SUITE FROM THE BALLET "THE FIREBIRD."

THIS VIDEO HASN'T BEEN AIRED IN DECADES.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

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"ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.