Kristin Robbins' strong entry into MN governor's race

Kristin Robbins' official entry into next year's gubernatorial election got off to a solid start. Alpha News is reporting "As politicos in and around the Minnesota Capitol continue to speculate on whether Tim Walz will run for a third term as governor, a new Republican candidate has entered the race. And Kristin Robbins isn’t waiting for Walz to make up his mind."

Robbins' initial campaign ad focuses on "fighting fraud, cutting taxes, supporting our police, strengthening schools, and bringing back common sense leadership." Rep. Robbins' priorities sound familiar. She isn't the only gubernatorial candidate to prioritize those things.

At thins point, it's looking less likely than originally thought that Gov. Walz is getting into the race. Initially, he said that he'd likely make a decision after the legislative session. When the DFL got in the way of finishing on time, Gov. Walz said he'd likely decide after the special session. Now that the special session is well into the rear view mirror, he's saying he'll likely decide after the State Fair. Each time he pushes the decision day further back, the more it aounds like he's begging the money people to jump in and say 'Please, Tim. Please jump in.'

Kristin Robbins' first ad:

She joins Kendall Qualls and Scott Jensen as the most prominent Republican candidates in the race. Republican Phillip Parrish is also running.

In a campaign ad, the Crookston native balanced her initial pitch to Minnesotans with the hope and promise of putting "your family first," while criticizing Walz on a number of topics that she described as "mismanagement and leadership failures" during his two terms as governor.

At this point, Scott Jensen appears to be running behind. He feels like yesterday's news. This election feels different, mostly because Gov. Walz has gotten exposed by the national press. The Twin Cities media have done their best to protect him but with limited success. Next, Gov. Walz has gotten hurt by the Medicaid fraud. Third, this is a change election and Tim Walz is the personification of the status quo.

This is a change election both at the gubernatorial level and legislative level. This isn't the perfect time for Gov. Walz to run again. Then again, this isn't the right time for legislators to throw their hat in the ring, either. The DFL legislature didn't do anything to prevent the Medicaid fraud. Further, the DFL is the weak-on-crime party, too.

Finally, the GOP will have some fresh faces to go with their appealing America First agenda. We'll see what happens but things are looking good thus far for the MNGOP.