Wednesday, August 10, 2022

MN AG GOP primary reported by STRIB. Wardlow lost.

Link. In part -

Schultz has said he would not use the attorney general's office to advocate for abortion-related policies. Wardlow said he would prosecute abortion providers if they break the law and would "wage war" on the Minnesota Supreme Court ruling protecting abortions.

Wardlow, unlike Schultz, has been repeating former President Donald Trump's falsehoods that the 2020 election was "stolen" as he campaigns for the attorney general's job. At the state Republican convention, MyPillow CEO and election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell showed up to back Wardlow.

Extremism lost. Ellison vs.Schultz should be free of extremes. Ellison tried to get funding to strengthen the office in the direction of criminal law attention, but Schultz's party withheld funding. Schultz also will advocate for a larger criminal law focus in the office, so both candidates will be largely in agreement on that issue.

Ellison will run on his record. Schultz will run against it. Hopefully without name calling. When name calling shows up, it likely will be outside PAC or other spenders, not either campaign.

The two come from differing practices of law. That should be a feature they each promote for themselves, against the opponent. One has legislative and trial experience. Administrative experience may be a campaign issue. It will be interesting to hear what Schultz has to say about what he's administered previously.

Wardlow's defeat is a happy event for many. Besides Schultz.