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Minnesota elections: How fraud, Iran could impact November races
Political analyst Blois Olson joined the FOX 9 Morning News on Sunday to talk about how fraud in Minnesota and the military operations in Iran could impact voters at the polls on November.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota legislative session is set to adjourn in a little more than a month, and the debate about creating an Office of Inspector General continues.
That would be an independent office to investigate and prevent fraud in Minnesota, likely one of the biggest factors in Tim Walz not seeking a third term for governor.
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Minnesota politics: Previewing governor's race, Iran war impact
Political analyst Blois Olson takes a look ahead to what could be the most expensive legislative race in Minnesota history. He also examines how the war in Iran could impact voting choices in rural areas.
Will fraud impact Governor’s race?
What they're saying:
Political analyst Blois Olson joined the FOX 9 Morning News Sunday with Leah Beno, and talked about how the ongoing fraud could impact the governor’s race. He said Republicans will use the fraud issue to turn voters who might lean Democratic.
"It’s natural. Anybody running for office uses their current office to highlight things they want to talk about on the campaign trail," Olson said. "So this last week, (Lisa) Demuth and Republicans announced a massive proposal for tax cuts. Then her campaign sends out an email about that proposal, so you could see the positioning as we get closer to the end of the legislative session that it may be more about running statewide than necessarily finding a way to make compromise with Democrats."
Iran War and gas prices
Why you should care:
As military operations continue in Iran, it’s impacting Americans at the fuel pump. Olson talked about how that’s one economic issue that’s affecting Minnesota lawmakers on the campaign trail.
"I think you’re starting to see Republicans quietly acknowledge that the headwinds with this economy, especially after the Iran war and gas prices, are going to become an issue. I think one of the biggest risks for Republicans is they’ve built such solid support in rural areas, like agricultural farm country and even on the Iron Range," Olson said. "But if the range is struggling because some mines are closed, and agriculture is struggling because they can’t get fertilizer because of the Strait of Hormuz, you could see a shift in that way. I think Republicans are starting to see maybe that’s a risk that could make Democrats a little more popular in November."
2026 Minnesota Legislative session
What's next:
The 2026 Minnesota legislature is set to adjourn on May 18, presuming lawmakers reach an agreement on bonding bill. The committee deadline for major policy and finance bills is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 17.