Entenza to Forgo Public Campaign Financing in Minnesota Attorney General Race

Minnesota House Minority Leader and likely DFL nominee for state attorney general, Matt Entenza, has decided to forgo public campaign financing and its associated fundraising and spending limits. Entenza cited concerns about the Republican Attorney Generals Association's (RAGA) ability to outspend him in the election, referencing a $2 million expenditure in a Virginia race, far exceeding Minnesota's limit of under $400,000 for a down-ballot contest.

Key Takeaways:

• Entenza, the House minority leader, is campaigning to succeed Attorney General Mike Hatch, who is seeking DFL endorsement for governor this year.
• Entenza's probable opponent in November is Rep. Jeff Johnson, R-Plymouth, who plans to abide by the state spending limits but would be relieved of them if he faced Entenza, a nonabider, in the general election.
• Johnson stated that his plan is based on the assumption that Entenza will spend millions of dollars from a single source, such as stock options.
• Entenza has not exceeded state campaign finance limits but will finance his own campaign if necessary.
• Entenza announced his decision early in the election cycle to call the GOP association's bluff and potentially weaken their investment in the Minnesota race.
• Johnson acknowledged that the GOP group, RAGA, has expressed interest in the Minnesota race but is unaware of their plans.
• A rival group supports Democratic attorney general candidates nationwide but has much less money to distribute.

Statistics:

• Minnesota's campaign finance limit for a down-ballot contest is under $400,000.
• RAGA spent $2 million on a Virginia attorney general race.
• Entenza and his wife, Lois Quam, contributed about $600,000 to Democratic candidates and causes in 2004.

Sources:

• State Rep. Matt Entenza
• Republican Attorney Generals Association (RAGA)
• Rep. Jeff Johnson
• UnitedHealth Group executive Lois Quam
• Minnesota state campaign finance laws and regulations