Good morning, and let me be the first to wish you a happy Friday. Here’s the Digest.
1. In the lone statewide race on the ballot in Minnesota this year the incumbent wants her record to speak for itself while the challenger is known for making noise. Natalie Hudson was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court last year by Gov. Mark Dayton. As a candidate, Hudson is stressing her experience and her temperament. Her opponent Michelle MacDonald doesn’t see any reason to stay quiet about her views. She’s pro-gun, anti-abortion and highly critical of the legal system. And she’s had some well-publicized legal problems. (MPR News)
2. Gov. Dayton on Thursday proposed a 25 percent rebate for Minnesotans who buy health insurance on the individual market but aren’t eligible for federal subsidies. That adds up to about 123,000 people, and Dayton’s plan would be a short term fix that could be passed during a special session, if lawmakers and health plans agree. The fix would be expensive, but Dayton proposed a cap of $313 million. (Pioneer Press)
3. Women will be a huge factor in the election. Polls show Hillary Clinton with a big lead among women both nationally and here in Minnesota, while Donald Trump has a lead among men. Women tend to vote in higher numbers, and that could make a big difference for Democrats. (MinnPost)
4. A few hundred people attended a rally in Shakopee Thursday night for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson. He’s pushing a balanced budget, less foreign military intervention and legalized marijuana. Johnson has seen his standing in public opinion polls erode lately. A Star Tribune poll this week put him at 6 percent in Minnesota, not enough to win, but maybe enough to make the Libertarians a major party in the election two years from now. (Star Tribune)
5.Hillary Clinton on Thursday warned her supporters against complacency and said her race with Donald Trump is likely to be closer than polls indicate. Clinton campaigned with Michelle Obama in North Carolina. Trump was in Ohio, where he suggested Clinton was exhausted after debating with him. (Washington Post)
