Minnesota Democrats Prepare for Election Day

Strategic Insights -

Minnesota Democrats, led by gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton, party Chairman Brian Melendez, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, are working to mobilize support ahead of the election. Sen. Klobuchar has called for "robust oversight" of wireless industry billing practices, following Verizon's announcement of $90 million in customer refunds. Meanwhile, Attorney General Lori Swanson has received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association, citing her commitment to preserving Second Amendment freedoms. Sen. Al Franken is also taking steps to support Democratic Senate nominee Chris Coons in the contentious Delaware Senate race.

Key Takeaways:

  • State Republicans, led by GOP Chairman Tony Sutton, staged a prebuttal for gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton at a restaurant near Macalester College.
  • Sen. Amy Klobuchar has written to the Federal Communications Commission urging "robust oversight" of the wireless industry's billing practices, citing a recent FCC survey that found one in six wireless customers have experienced "bill shock."
  • The senators cited a recent FCC survey and the Verizon case as examples of the need for increased oversight.
  • Attorney General Lori Swanson has received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association, with Chris Cox stating that her "commitment to preserving our Second Amendment freedoms has earned her the NRA-PVF endorsement."
  • Sen. Al Franken is hosting an event for Democratic Senate nominee Chris Coons in the Delaware Senate race.
  • Franken and O'Donnell, the Republican candidate, have a history of debating on TV, having appeared together on "Politically Incorrect" in the 1990s.

Statistics:

  • One in six wireless customers have experienced "bill shock" due to unexpected charges (FCC survey).
  • Verizon is providing $90 million in refunds to customers due to overcharging for data services they were not using (Verizon announcement).
  • 15 million Verizon customers were affected by the billing practice fault (FCC involvement led to refund).
  • Senate Democrats introduced legislation attempting to curb high early termination fees in December 2009 (Klobuchar and Begich).

Sources:

  • "State Republicans gather for prebuttal at Macalester," by BOB VON STERNBERG
  • "Letter to FCC on wireless industry billing practices," by JEREMY HERB
  • "DFL Attorney General Lori Swanson wins NRA endorsement," by PAT DOYLE
  • "Franken takes on O'Donnell in Delaware Senate race," by PATRICIA LOPEZ
  • "FCC survey on wireless industry billing practices"