by Nicole Albertson-Nuanes | 2009-08-05
Einführung
On June 2, 2009, Minnesota Gov. Timothy Pawlenty announced that he would not seek re-election in 2010. Almost immediately, political pundits began to speculate about a possible replacement. Those experts have consistently mentioned more than 20 people as potential gubernatorial candidates in 2010.1
DFL = Democratic-Farmer-Labor
The Institute took a look at the money raised by 17 of the potential candidates during their most recent election campaigns, and found that:
- Almost half (49 percent) of the money raised by the potential gubernatorial candidates came from unitemized donations – money given that falls below the state's reporting threshold for disclosing the name of the donors.
- Itemized donations accounted for about one-third ($358,256) of the money raised by potential gubernatorial candidates.
- Public subsidies accounted for an additional 17 percent.
These 17 candidates are discussed because they have either announced an intention to run for the governorship, have filed as a gubernatorial candidate, or are actively exploring the idea, and have raised money during their most recent election cycle.2
A Note about Unitemized Donations
In Minnesota, candidates are not required to disclose the name of a contributor on their campaign finance reports unless the contributor gives them more than $100 a year. Contributions totaling less than $100 a year are lumped together and reported to the state as unitemized donations. These contributions have no name, address, or employer attached to them.
Minnesota candidates raised $6 million in unitemized donations during the 2008 election cycle and $8.5 million in 2006 – second in the country only to Massachusetts candidates, who raised $7.6 million and $8.6 million, respectively.
The high unitemized donations is due in part to the state’s generous political contribution refund program. In an effort to reduce large contributions and encourage more Minnesotans to involve themselves in state politics, the state of Minnesota reimburses individual contributors up to $50 when they donate to candidates who choose to participate in the state's public financing program (see below). Due to budget deficits, this program was suspended on July 1, 2009. 3
A Note about Minnesota's Public Subsidies
Minnesota distributes public subsidies to candidates who agree to abide by guidelines found in the state's public subsidy agreement.4 The primary focus of this agreement is to limit a candidate's spending. The spending limit for House candidates who ran for office in 2008 was $31,400. The spending limit for Senate candidates who ran for office in 2006 was $59,900
Potential Democratic-Farmer-Labor Candidates
Six members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party have been identified as possible gubernatorial candidates in 2010 – three are House members who raised a combined $177,715 during their 2008 re-election campaigns, while two are Senate members who raised $147,763 during their 2006 re-election campaigns. Together, these state lawmakers raised $325,477, for an average of $65,096 per lawmaker. Former senator Steve Kelley also raised $180,587 in 2006, when he was running for attorney general.
The largest source of funds for these DFL candidates ($231,665) came from unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $61,436. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 58 percent of their contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individual donors gave $171,788 and non-individuals gave $41,175.
Senator Thomas Bakk
Senator Thomas Bakk was not up for re-election in 2008. He still, however, raised $39,653 — all in unitemized donations.
During his re-election campaign in 2006, Bakk raised $76,013. The majority of his contributions ($46,909) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $15,254. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 82 percent of Bakk’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $5,300 and non-individuals gave $8,550.
Donors within the Labor sector gave the most ($1,950) to Bakk in 2006. Donors within the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sector gave $1,900, while Lawyers & Lobbyists came in third, with $1,700.
Senator Steve Kelley
Former state Sen. Steve Kelley raised $180,587 for an unsuccessful campaign for attorney general in 2006. Fourteen percent of his contributions ($25,442) were unitemized donations. Kelley did not receive public subsidies for his attorney general's race. Individuals gave $139,270 and non-individuals gave $15,875.
Kelley ran for attorney general after losing the battle for the DFL nomination for governor. His gubernatorial campaign committee raised $413,940.5
Due to his larger-scale campaign, a list of his contributors over $500 would stretch for several pages. A breakdown of his contributions is available from his candidate summary page.
Lawyers & Lobbyists were the largest sector to contribute to Kelley in 2006. They gave $35,675, nearly one-quarter of his itemized contributions. The finance, insurance, and real estate sector gave $10,000.
Represenative Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher raised $74,507 in 2008. The majority of her contributions ($43,628) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $10,333. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 72 percent of Kelliher’s contributions. Individuals gave $15,896 and non-individuals gave $4,650.
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate was the largest sector to contribute to Kelliher in 2008. It gave $4,800, nearly one-fourth of her itemized contributions. Lawyers and Lobbyists was the second-largest sector to contribute, giving $2,425. Labor was the third-largest sector to contribute, at $2,350.
Senator John Marty
Senator John Marty was not up for re-election in 2008. He still, however, raised $23,189 during the election cycle. All of his contributions were unitemized donations.
During his re-election campaign in 2006, Marty raised $71,749. The majority of his contributions ($53,070) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for the remaining $18,679 that Marty raised. He received no itemized contributions.
Representative Tom Rukavina
Rep. Tom Rukavina raised $51,178 in 2008. The majority of his contributions ($32,595) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $7,808. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 79 percent of Rukavina’s contributions. Individuals gave $3,875 and non-individuals gave $6,900.
Labor was the largest sector to contribute to Rukavina in 2008. It gave $3,450, nearly one-third of
his itemized contributions. Political parties were the second-largest sector to contribute, giving $2,000.
Representative Paul Thissen
Rep. Paul Thissen raised $52,030 in 2008. The majority of his contributions ($30,021) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $9,361. In addition, Thissen contributed $5,000 to fund his re-election campaign. As a result, only 15 percent of his campaign’s financing came from itemized donors other than himself. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $2,448 and non-individuals gave $5,200.
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate was the largest sector to contribute to Thissen in 2008. It gave $1,650, more than 20 percent of his itemized contributions. Labor was the second-largest sector to contribute, giving $1,300. The Health sector came in third with $1,250.
Potential Republican Candidates
Eleven members of the Republican Party have been identified as possible gubernatorial candidates in 2010. Five of them are House members who raised a total of $183,145 during their 2008 re-election campaigns, and six are Senate members who raised $350,327 during their 2006 re-election campaigns. Together, these 11 legislators raised $533,472 — for an average of $48,497.
The largest sum of Republican Party contributions ($273,039) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $115,140. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 73 percent of their contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $70,313 and non-individuals gave $74,980.
Represenative Laura Brod
Rep. Laura Brod raised $46,949 in 2008. The majority of her contributions ($29,300) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $5,049. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 73 percent of Brod’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $5,650 and non-individuals gave $6,950. As of July 8, she has suspended her campaign for governor and "will evaluate where things are at later this summer."6
Health was the largest sector to contribute to Brod in 2008, giving $3,100—nearly one-fourth of her itemized contributions. The Party sector was the second-largest to contribute, giving $2,750. Finance, Insurance and Real Estate was the third-largest sector to contribute, at $1,950.
Representative Tom Emmer
Rep. Tom Emmer raised $22,127 in 2008. The largest sum of his contributions ($7,925) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $7,702. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 71 percent of Emmer’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $1,500 and non-individuals gave $5,000.
The Party sector was the largest sector to contribute to Emmer in 2008. It gave $2,000—nearly one-third of his itemized contributions. Health was the second-largest sector to contribute, giving $1,200. Lawyers and Lobbyists was the third-largest sector to contribute, at $800.
Senator Michelle Fischbach
Senator Michelle Fischbach was not up for re-election in 2008. She still, however, raised $9,550 during the election cycle. Almost all of her contributions ($9,450) were unitemized donations. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann contributed the remaining $100 from her previous state campaign committee.
During her re-election campaign in 2006, Fischbach raised $40,148. The largest sum of her contributions ($19,590) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $10,608. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 75 percent of Fischbach’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $4,900 and non-individuals gave $5,050.
Health was the largest sector to contribute to Fischbach in 2006. It gave $3,200—nearly one-third of her itemized contributions. The Party sector was the second-largest to contribute, giving $1,500. Labor was third, at $1,450.
Senator David Hann
Senator David Hann was not up for election in 2008. He still, however, raised $2,920 during the election cycle. The majority of his contributions ($1,920) were unitemized donations. The 42nd Senate District Republican Party contributed an additional $900. Former House candidate William Cullen contributed the remaining $100.
During his re-election campaign in 2006, Hann raised $44,087. The largest sum of his contributions ($17,017) were public subsidies. Unitemized donations accounted for an additional $11,120. Together, public subsidies and unitemized donations accounted for 64 percent of Hann’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $5,650 and non-individuals gave $10,300.
The Party sector was the largest to contribute to Hann in 2006. It gave $6,250—39 percent of his itemized contributions. General Business was the second-largest sector to contribute, giving $2,250. The Communications and Electronics sector came in third with $1,700.
Senator Mike Jungbauer
Senator Mike Jungbauer was not up for re-election in 2008. He still, however, raised $5,909 during the election cycle, all in unitemized donations.
During his re-election campaign in 2006, Jungbauer raised $49,800. The largest sum of his contributions ($22,765) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $14,011. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 74 percent of Jungbauer’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $4,844 and non-individuals gave $8,180.
The Party sector was the largest sector to contribute to Jungbauer in 2006. It gave $3,730—more than a quarter of his itemized contributions. The Transportation sector was the second-largest to contribute, giving $1,650. Lawyers & Lobbyists were third, at $1,150.
Senator Paul Koering
Senator Paul Koering was not up for election in 2008. He still, however, raised $29,990 during the election cycle. All of his contributions were unitemized donations.
During his re-election campaign in 2006, Koering raised $54,752. The largest sum of his contributions ($26,960) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $10,979. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 69 percent of Kelliher’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $4,238 and non-individuals gave $12,575.
Health was the largest sector to contribute to Koering in 2006. It gave $4,850, more than one-fourth of his itemized contributions. The Party sector was the second-largest, giving $2,950. Lawyers and Lobbyists was third, at $2,450.
Represenative Paul Kohls
Rep. Paul Kohls raised $26,881 in 2008. The largest sum of his contributions ($9,057) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $8,386. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 65 percent of Kohl’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $3,187 and non-individuals gave $6,250.
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate was the largest sector to contribute to Kohls in 2008. It gave $2,937—more than 30 percent of his itemized contributions. The Party sector was the second-largest, giving $2,300. Lawyers and Lobbyists was the third-largest sector to contribute, at $1,100.
Representative Morrie Lanning
Rep. Morrie Lanning raised $26,553 in 2008. The largest sum of his contributions ($13,110) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $5,493. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 70 percent of Lanning’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $3,800 and non-individuals gave $4,150.
Agriculture was the largest sector to contribute to Lanning in 2008. It gave $900—11 percent of his itemized contributions. The Finance, Insurance and Real Estate sector and the Lawyers and Lobbyists sector tied for second-largest to contribute, giving $800 each.
Senator Geoffrey Michel
Senator Geoffrey Michel was not up for election in 2008. He still, however, raised $40,904 during the election cycle. The majority of his contributions ($39,154) were unitemized donations. The 41st Senate District Republican Party contributed an additional $2,000. A returned contribution reduced his total by $250.
During his re-election campaign in 2006, Michel raised $102,679. The majority of his contributions ($54,312) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $17,392. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 70 percent of Michel’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $25,275 and non-individuals gave $5,700.
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate was the largest sector to contribute to Michel in 2006. It gave $6,450—more than 20 percent of his itemized contributions. General Business was the second-largest sector to contribute, giving $5,650. The Party sector was third, at $4,100.
Representative Marty Seifert
Rep. Marty Seifert raised $60,635 in 2008. The majority of his contributions ($47,699) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $4,691. Together, unitemized donations and public subsidies accounted for 86 percent of Seifert’s contributions. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $3,345 and non-individuals gave $4,900.
The Party sector was the largest to contribute to Seifert in 2008. It gave $4,900, more than the $4,691 Seifert received from public subsidies. Health was the second-largest sector to contribute, giving $1,000. Transportation was the third-largest sector, at $850.
Senator David Senjem
Senator David Senjem was not up for election in 2008. He still, however, raised $5,303 during the election cycle. The majority of his contributions ($4,103) were unitemized donations. Senjam contributed the remaining $1,200 to his campaign.
During his re-election campaign in 2006, Senjem raised $58,862. The majority of his contributions ($31,201) were unitemized donations. Public subsidies accounted for an additional $13,813. In addition, Senjem contributed $773 to fund his re-election campaign. As a result, only 22 percent of his campaign’s financing came from itemized donors other than himself. Of the remaining contributions, individuals gave $7,150 and non-individuals gave $5,925.
General Business was the largest sector to contribute to Senjem in 2006. It gave $2,200—16 percent of his itemized contributions. Construction was the second-largest sector to contribute, giving $1,850. Finance, Insurance and Real Estate was the third-largest sector to contribute, at $1,750.
- 1. Kevin Duchschere, "Who's in and Who's out for State Governor? Jockeying Gets Underway for 2010," Star Tribune, June 3, 2009, available from http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/46808787.html, accessed July 7, 2009, and Betsy Sundquist, "A Look at the Growing List of Minnesota Gubernatorial Hopefuls," Saint Paul Legal Ledger, July 6, 2009, available from http://www.legal-ledger.com/item.cfm?recID=11963, accessed July 7, 2009.
- 2. "Minnesota's 2010 Race for Governor," Politics in Minnesota: Saint Paul Legal Ledger, available at http://www.politicsinminnesota.com/2010-mn-governor-race, accessed July 22, 2009.
- 3. An official statement from the Minnesota Department of Revenue may be found at http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/individ/other_supporting_content/political_contrib_refund.shtml
- 4. The public subsidy agreement for House candidates may be viewed at http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/forms/Public_Subsidy/Public_Subsidy_House.pdf. The public subsidy agreement for Senate candidates may be viewed at http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/forms/Public_Subsidy/Public_Subsidy_Senate.pdf.
- 5. Kelley never appeared on the ballot for governor and thus, only his campaign for attorney general is included on our website.
- 6. Ryan Flynn, "Breaking News: An E-mail Message from Laura Brod," Minnesota Democrats Exposed, July 8, 2009, available from http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2009/07/08/breaking-news-an-e-mail-message-from-laura-brod/, accessed July 30, 2009.
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