Kingfield Votes For Next State Senator

Could this be the election the Minnesota Green Party's been waiting for? Tuesday, Minneapolis voters—including some Kingfield residents—go to the polls in state Senate District 61. Conventional wisdom holds that the seat, formerly held by longtime DFLer Linda Berglin, is a DFL stronghold an any challengers face a long shot.

However, the Greens' Farheen Hakeem is challenging that with an extensive door-knocking campaign that might tip the scales away from the DFL candidate, state Rep. Jeff Hayden. 

Hayden has taken some hits from Hakeem supporters for taking money from a Minnesota dental-industry Political Action Committee (PAC) that opposes single-payer health care. Hayden has said he supports single-payer health care in Minnesota, and will be replacing a politician who helped lead the charge to get it passed during her time in office. He told an audience at a debate last week that the campaign contributions would not change his mind.

Hakeem has said she also supports single-payer health care, and presents a similar platform to her DFL competitor.

"I recognize the safety net is not sustainable in the long term," Hayden said when . "To someone new [to the legislature], I would not say 'you're not able to understand the issues,' but I think we need smart, creative, innovative, and experienced legislators. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and say 'I've got great ideas.'"