Advertise on podcast: The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb record their final episode and livestream after nearly four years and more than 200 episodes, with Scherr stepping away to reallocate the weekly prep and recording time to be more present with her young family while staying engaged in politics. They thank their families and listeners, discuss how the show evolved into an equal partnership, and highlight favorite guests and conversations. They revisit Minnesota political “WTF” moments, difficult episodes involving political violence, and lighter moments including food debates and spouse episodes. The episode closes with both hosts sharing optimism about civic engagement, with Brodkorb hinting he will continue podcasting in a new form. 00:00 — Final Episode Kickoff, Life Updates, and Why Becky Is Stepping BackOpening remarks on the final episode, life updates, and Becky’s candid explanation of why she is stepping away from the podcast. 05:56 — Gratitude, Family Support, and Finding Her Voice AgainBecky reflects on the family support that made the show possible, what stepping back means personally, and how she found her voice through podcasting. 14:02 — How the Show Evolved: A look back at how The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky grew, changed, and found its audience over the course of its run. 25:18 — The Break Down Awards: Best Interviews and Surprise Guests: The Break Down Awards kick off with a celebration of the best interviews, most surprising guests, and how the show managed to book them. 34:42 — Minnesota WTF Moments, Wildest Episodes, and Overdone Storylines: A rundown of the most jaw-dropping Minnesota political moments, the wildest WTF episodes, and the storylines both hosts wish they had covered less. 38:00 — Dumbest Debates, Toughest Episodes, and Funniest Moments: The dumbest debates the show got pulled into, the toughest episodes to record, and the laugh-out-loud moments that made it all worthwhile. 45:37 — Favorite Recurring Guests, Chaotic Recordings, and the Car Recovery: A tribute to the show’s favorite recurring guests, the most chaotic recording sessions, and the story of Michael’s recovery after being hit by a car. 51:25 — Minnesota’s Political Future, Optimism, Farewell, and Final Sign-Off: A look ahead at Minnesota’s political landscape, why both hosts leave with optimism, heartfelt farewell remarks from Becky and Michael, Michael mentioning that he will continue podcasting, and a final sign-off. Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb livestream Minnesota primary election night coverage as polls close, tracking early turnout and results from the Secretary of State website and discussing what the numbers may signal for November. Joined by guests Billy Grant, Will Davis, David FitzSimmons, Julius Hernandez, and state auditor candidate Jay Reeves, they analyze key races as they develop: Michele Tafoya’s projected win in the GOP U.S. Senate primary, Lisa Demuth pulling ahead in the GOP governor’s race over Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls, Peggy Flanagan building a growing lead over Angie Craig in the DFL U.S. Senate primary, and Scott Jensen surging in the GOP state auditor race. They also discuss election administration, campaign strategy, party unity, the GOP endorsement process after primaries, fundraising challenges, and the fraud issue’s impact on the general election. 00:00 — Live Primary Night Kickoff, Turnout Talk, and Voting Stories: Opening remarks from a live primary night broadcast, turnout discussion, and voting stories from around the state ahead of the first results. 10:13 — Early Results, Race Predictions, and Certification: Early returns roll in, race-by-race predictions, and a breakdown of certification and endorsement dynamics as the night takes shape. 39:20 — Results Roll In: Lindell vs. Demuth: A real-time breakdown of the governor’s race results as Lindell and Demuth trade leads, with analysis of what the numbers mean as precincts report. 01:15:11 — Anoka County Shockwaves and the Demuth Surge: Anoka County results shift the race, the Demuth surge takes hold, and the hosts assess what the numbers mean for party unity heading out of primary night. 01:48:32 — Post-Primary Strategy and New Guest: A new guest joins to assess the post-primary landscape, what the results mean for Republican strategy, and how campaigns need to reposition heading into the general. 02:04:46 — Tear Gas, Turnaround, and the GOP Unity Problem: A break down of a dramatic turnaround moment and a frank assessment of the Republican Party’s unity problem coming out of the primary. 02:13:23 — Auditor Race, Jay Reeves, and DFL Senate Results: Results and analysis from the state auditor race featuring Jay Reeves, followed by a breakdown of the DFL Senate primary outcome. 02:34:05 — Prediction Markets Debate, Final Takes, and Wrap Up:A debate over what prediction markets got right and wrong, final takes from the hosts and guests, and closing thoughts from a long primary night. Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb preview Minnesota’s Primary Election next Tuesday, stressing uncertainty, turnout, and unreliable polling while running through statewide races, money, and late-breaking controversies. They debate the DFL U.S. Senate primary between Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, citing heavy outside spending, a new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll showing Craig narrowly ahead, and turnout differences by age. Becky gives Craig a slight edge while Michael predicts Flanagan and argues the primary likely decides the seat. On the GOP side, they discuss Michelle Tafoya’s large polling lead for U.S. Senate. Still, Michael warns she is unprepared for the general election and criticizes Farmfest for excluding endorsed candidate Adam Schwarze. They predict the GOP governor primary as extremely close, with Becky backing Lisa Demuth and Michael giving a slight edge to Mike Lindell amid party infighting, a late residency letter to the secretary of state, and an op-ed highlighting past domestic violence allegations. The episode closes with quick calls on other races, including both hosts picking Scott Jensen for GOP state auditor and Tad Jude for GOP secretary of state. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will be LIVE on Facebook, X, and YouTube on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, with analysis and commentary on the Primary Election results starting at 8 PM. 00:00 — Welcome, Preview, and Primary Week Uncertainty: Opening remarks, a preview of the episode, and a frank assessment of what to expect from primary week turnout and the unpredictability of the race. 02:10 — DFL Senate Predictions, New Poll, and Demographics: Turnout facts and expectations, DFL Senate primary predictions, a breakdown of the latest poll, and what demographic data reveals about the Craig-Flanagan race. 12:08 — GOP Senate Poll, Debate Drama, and GOP Senate Controversy: A snapshot of GOP Senate polling, a breakdown of the debate drama, and a discussion of the personal controversy surrounding Michele Tafoya. 25:08 — GOP Governor Poll, Why Demuth or Lindell Might Win, and Turnout: The latest GOP governor polling, the case for why Mike Lindell could pull off a win, and how turnout models affect the race. 37:39 — Endorsement History, Residency Letter Drama, and Chair Critique: A look at endorsement history and its predictive value, the Lindell residency letter drama, and criticism of Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Alex Plechash’s handling of the situation. 47:13 — Fenton Op-Ed Fallout and Strategy and Timing: A breakdown of the Fenton op-ed fallout and a broader discussion of campaign strategy and timing heading into primary day. 55:50 — DFL Primary Check-In, State Auditor Picks, and Secretary of State: A final DFL primary check-in, host picks for the state auditor race, and a look at the secretary of state contest. 01:01:57 — Turnout Forecast and Sign Off: A final turnout forecast, closing predictions, and sign-off ahead of primary day. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will be LIVE on Facebook, X, and YouTube on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, with analysis and commentary on the Primary Election results starting at 8 PM. Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb preview Minnesota’s 2026 primary with a deep dive into fundraising reports covering January 1 through July 20. They note Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s massive advantage in the governor’s race, with $9.3 million raised and approximately $4.4 million cash on hand, compared with Republican candidates. They discuss questions around Mike Lindell’s reporting and unlisted recent spending, and argue Lisa Demuth’s operation appears more credible and would receive a public subsidy if she wins the primary. They review other statewide and party fundraising totals, highlighting the Minnesota DFL’s large edge over the MN GOP. The episode then turns to DFL U.S. Senate primary drama: Sen. John Hoffman’s claim that Angie Craig sought his endorsement while he was recovering, Craig’s denial and supporting texts, and Gwen Walz’s endorsement of Craig over Peggy Flanagan, with discussion of timing, messaging, and fraud politics. The episode closes with an announcement of a primary-night livestream on August 11th! 00:00 — Welcome, Preview, and Fundraising Reports Setup: Opening remarks and a frame for the episode’s focus on campaign finance reports and what the money race reveals about the 2026 field. 01:24 — Governor Race Money Gap: Lindell, Qualls, and Demuth: A breakdown of the fundraising gap in the governor’s race, questions around Lindell’s spending, and what Qualls and Demuth’s numbers signal about their campaign strength. 15:51 — Prediction Markets, Downballot Fundraising, and Party War Chests: What prediction markets are saying about the governor’s race, a rundown of downballot fundraising totals, and the state of party and caucus war chests heading into the primary. 30:33 — Senate Primary Drama: The Hoffman Endorsement Allegation:The Senate primary heats up with an endorsement allegation involving Hoffman, Craig’s denial, questions about timing and documentation, and how campaigns should be responding communications-wise. 46:10 — Gwen Walz Endorses Craig and Fraud Messaging Fallout: A breakdown of Gwen Walz’s endorsement of Angie Craig, the political implications, and how fraud messaging is playing out and affecting the primary landscape. 54:40 — Banking Endorsements and the Klobuchar Seat Hypothetical: A look at the endorsement banking playbook campaigns are running, followed by a hypothetical discussion about what happens to Klobuchar’s Senate seat if she wins the governor’s race. 01:06:24 — Primary Night Wrap-Up: Final thoughts and a preview of what to watch on primary night. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return and highlight Michael’s interview with Jay Reeves, the Forward Independence Party candidate for Minnesota state auditor. Reeves shares his background, military service, and cancer diagnosis, and how he secured ballot access by collecting 2,000-plus signatures. He outlines a data-driven, near real-time approach to detecting waste, fraud, and abuse, and argues internal controls should be built into programs before they are approved. Becky and Michael discuss the state auditor’s limitations, the value of nonpartisanship, and recent media scrutiny around GOP-endorsed auditor candidate Nate George. They then break down new KSTP/SurveyUSA polling on GOP primaries for governor and Senate, the DFL U.S. Senate primary between Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan, and a tightening attorney general race. The episode closes on Bernie Sanders elevating Minnesota as a progressive battleground. 00:00 — Welcome, Last Week Recap, and Meet Jay Reeves:Opening remarks, a recap of last week’s Trump-Lindell endorsement coverage, some dino shirt banter, and an introduction to state auditor candidate Jay Reeves. 05:56 — Jay’s Life Story: Service, Cancer, and a Twin Brother:Jay Reeves shares his personal background, military service, his cancer diagnosis, the story of his twin brother, and what drove him toward public life. 14:47 — Why Third Party and the Ballot Access Fight: Reeves explains his decision to run outside the two-party system, the legal and logistical challenges of ballot access, and the push to fix Minnesota’s signature rules. 29:57 — Why State Auditor: Fraud, Data Dashboards, and Proactive Oversight: Reeves makes the case for his auditor candidacy, his vision for fraud prevention through data dashboards, a proactive oversight plan, and what nonpartisan accountability looks like in practice. 46:56 — Auditor Powers, Fixing Fraud Now, and Making the Office Visible: A breakdown of what the state auditor can actually do, how Reeves would use those powers to address fraud immediately, and his plan to raise the office’s public profile. 53:54 — Debates, Campaign Style, and How to Follow Jay: Reeves on his approach to debates, his campaign style, and where voters can follow and engage with his candidacy. 01:00:11 — Post-Interview Debrief and Governor and Senate Primary Polls: Becky and Michael react to the Reeves interview, then dig into the latest polling on the GOP and DFL governor and Senate primaries and the tight attorney general race. 01:21:55 — Progressive Rally Impact and Wrap Up: A breakdown of the progressive rally’s political impact on the primary landscape and closing thoughts ahead of next week. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Michael Brodkorb hosts this week’s episode, with Becky Scherr off, to discuss President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor and how it upends the Republican primary. Guests Will Davis, a Democratic strategist, and Billy Grant, a MAGA-aligned Republican strategist, explain why they weren’t surprised, arguing that Trump prioritizes loyalty and that Lindell had the strongest relationship, while other candidates didn’t seriously court Trump. They debate how the endorsement outweighs the state party endorsement, boosts Lindell’s name ID, fundraising, and sense of inevitability in the primary, and may force a professionalization of his campaign. They assess GOP consultants’ misreads of the field, likely vote splits among Lindell, Lisa Demuth, and Kendall Qualls, and the potential impact on the general election. The episode closes with speculation on the Timberwolves and LeBron James. 00:00 — Welcome and Trump Backs Lindell: Breaking news on Trump’s endorsement of Mike Lindell, guest introductions, and immediate reactions from Will Davis and Billy Grant on what the endorsement means. 04:47 — MAGA Explained and the Primary Impact: Billy breaks down how the politics of MAGA operate, the primary implications of the endorsement, and what it reveals about party power dynamics heading into the governor’s race. 11:55 — General Election Fallout and the Turnout and Populism Debate: How a Lindell nomination affects Republican general election prospects, a debate over turnout versus persuasion, and what the endorsement signals about the populist direction of the party. 18:34 — Fundraising, Campaign Strategy, and Is It Too Late: A look at the fundraising implications of the Trump endorsement, what it means for competing campaigns’ strategies, and whether it’s too late for the field to adjust. 25:21 — Trump Endorsement Standards and Why Minnesota Misread MAGA: An examination of how Trump’s endorsement decisions are made, why Minnesota Republicans and the consultant class failed to read the MAGA movement accurately, and the disconnect that followed. 31:59 — Oppo Hits Backfire and Campaigns Failed to Counter: How opposition research attacks on Lindell backfired, why competing campaigns failed to build an effective counter-strategy, and what that reveals about the state of the race. 41:20 — The Dual Endorsement Myth and Parrish as Running Mate: Debunking the dual endorsement narrative and a discussion of Scott Parrish as a potential running mate option. 46:30 — Predictions and Wrap Up: Final predictions from Will and Billy on the primary outcome and closing thoughts from Michael The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return after a week off to discuss Independence Day traditions and 250th-anniversary fun facts, then break down the controversy over competing Washington, D.C. events branded “America 250” and the Trump White House “Freedom 250,” including artist withdrawals and dueling fireworks and concerts. They review a series of end-of-term Supreme Court decisions: striking down Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order 6-3 with cross-ideological votes, upholding state bans on transgender women and girls in girls’ sports 6-3, striking down limits on party-candidate coordination spending, and rulings on presidential removal power for independent agencies while blocking Trump’s attempt to remove a Federal Reserve governor. Becky and Michael then react to reports that MN GOP endorsed gubernatorial ticket member Brian Nicholson was on Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021, and debate the political implications for the ticket and the broader Republican primary. The episode closes with concerns about reduced federal coordination with Minnesota election officials and a note on an audit finding Minnesota’s voter registration system generally secure. 00:00 — Show Intro, Agenda, and Fourth of July Traditions: Opening remarks, Independence Day traditions, fireworks and family life, and a round of 250th-anniversary fun facts. 16:05 — America 250 vs. Freedom 250 and the Push for National Unity: A breakdown of the competing Washington, D.C. celebration events, artist withdrawals, dueling fireworks and concerts, and a broader reflection on the desire for national unity. 24:42 — Supreme Court Term Recap: Birthright, Trans Sports, and Court Legacy: A review of major end-of-term SCOTUS decisions, including the birthright citizenship ruling, the cross-ideological 6-3 vote, Trump’s court legacy, DACA stakes, and the transgender sports ruling. 36:33 — Money, Parties, Agency Power, and Historians on Trump: The ruling striking down limits on party-candidate coordination spending; presidential removal power fights over independent agencies; blocking Trump’s attempt to remove a Federal Reserve governor; and historians’ assessments of Trump. 44:10 — Qualls Running Mate and the Nicholson Jan. 6 Fallout: A breakdown of the Kendall Qualls running-mate situation, reactions to reports that MN GOP-endorsed gubernatorial-ticket member Brian Nicholson was on Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021, and the political implications for the ticket. 57:24 — Election Security Rift and Minnesota’s Voter Registration Audit: Concerns about reduced federal coordination with Minnesota election officials and an audit finding that Minnesota’s voter registration system is generally secure. 01:08:39 — Podcast Disclosures, Thanks, and Wrap-up: Life and work disclosures and a thank-you from Michael. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return after a week off and reflect on the June 14th anniversary of the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, discussing tributes, the removal of public officials’ home addresses from campaign finance records, new safety-related rule accommodations, and the balance with residency verification. They preview early voting ahead of the Aug. 11 primary and break down recent KSTP/SurveyUSA primary polling and a Star Tribune/KARE 11/UMN Mason-Dixon general-election poll, including name ID dynamics, undecideds, suburban battleground trends, Walz’s approval decline, and issue priorities led by inflation and fraud. Michael and Becky then analyze campaign finance filings, highlighting Klobuchar’s fundraising edge, GOP gubernatorial candidates’ cash positions, legislative caucus totals, and the Ellison/Schutz AG race. The episode closes with reactions to the first Craig/Flanagan Almanac debate, especially on fraud accountability. 00:00 — Welcome, Episode Preview, Life Updates, and the Hortman Tribute: Opening remarks, birthday chaos, a DIY home improvement detour, and a tribute to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and the safety changes that followed the assassination. 13:20 — GOP Primary Poll Breakdown and the Three-Way Race:Early voting kicks off the election season, a breakdown of the latest GOP primary polling, name ID dynamics, and what a three-way race means for the field. 28:05 — DFL Primary Poll Surprises and the Fraud Factor:Unexpected DFL primary poll findings, the attorney general race and its connection to the fraud issue, and what the numbers reveal about voter priorities. 33:39 — General Election Poll, Optimism, and the Suburban Battleground: A look at general election polling, Republican optimism, the generic Senate ballot, and why the suburbs remain the deciding factor in statewide races. 44:49 — Craig vs. Flanagan, Walz’s Approval Slide, and Top Issues:A comparison of Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s relative strengths, Gov. Tim Walz’s slipping approval numbers, fraud as the dominant voter concern, and the flag backlash poll. 56:47 — Money Race: Klobuchar’s Edge, GOP Cash Crunch, and Lindell’s Oddities: Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s fundraising advantage, the GOP governor field’s cash problems, Mike Lindell’s unusual spending patterns, and Lisa Demuth’s outside spending picture. 01:13:23 — Legislature Money Streetfight and the AG Race:A breakdown of the legislative money battles and what funding trends in the attorney general’s race signal about the broader election landscape. 01:20:43 — Craig vs. Flanagan Debate Review and Wrap Up:A review of the Craig-Flanagan debate, final takeaways, and a preview of what’s ahead next week. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb open with an update ahead of the first anniversary of Speaker Melissa Hortman’s assassination, noting Vance Bolter’s guilty plea and a reported deal to avoid the death penalty in exchange for two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years in federal prison. They are then joined by former Minnesota Rep. Pat Garofalo, now a Star Tribune contributing columnist, to discuss his debut piece “Minnesota, I Love You, But You’ve Gone Astray.” Garofalo argues the state has followed blue-state policy models, overspent following the 2023-24 DFL trifecta, and lost its cooperative political culture. He calls for divided government, stronger leadership, and greater accountability after years of fraud. He cites permitting delays and structural flaws in paid family leave as examples of policy gone wrong. The episode closes with a breakdown of Democratic U.S. Senate primary tensions, including Tom Emmer’s tweet about Angie Craig, pro-Flanagan and pro-Craig ad volleys, and what the infighting means for the general election. 00:00 — Welcome, Episode Preview, and the Hortman Anniversary: Opening remarks and a somber update ahead of the first anniversary of Speaker Melissa Hortman’s assassination attempt, including Vance Bolter’s guilty plea and sentencing deal. 02:20 — Welcome Pat Garofalo and Inside His Star Tribune Column: An introduction to former Rep. Pat Garofalo’s debut Star Tribune column, the argument that Minnesota has gone astray, and the spending and cultural shift that followed the 2023-24 DFL trifecta. 10:43 — Fraud Fallout, Accountability, and the Case for Divided Government: How years of fraud and overspending have eroded voter trust, why Garofalo argues divided government is the answer, and the shift from an honor system to meaningful accountability. 15:07 — Paid Leave, Permitting, and Pipeline Delays: A common-sense critique of paid family leave’s structural flaws, permitting and mining bottlenecks, and the real economic costs of pipeline delays. 26:23 — GOP Primary Dynamics and Minnesota’s Political Tradition: Voter decision-making, GOP primary stakes, turnout and extremes, national warning signs, and what a reset of Minnesota’s cooperative political tradition could look like. 31:29 — Hortman’s Legacy and Hosts React to Garofalo: A reflection on the political violence legacy of the Hortman assassination attempt, followed by Becky and Michael’s reaction to Garofalo’s column and interview. 37:48 — Emmer Hugs Craig and the Flanagan vs. Craig Ad War: An analysis of Tom Emmer’s tweet about Angie Craig, the pro-Flanagan and pro-Craig ad volleys, and what the infighting reveals about the DFL Senate primary. 53:08 — Primary Outlook and Wrap Up: A final assessment of where the DFL Senate primary stands and closing thoughts from the hosts. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb are joined by GOP strategist Preya Samsundar to break down the MN DFL and GOP state conventions. They recap Senator Amy Klobuchar’s first-ballot DFL Senate endorsement and discuss the DFL’s comparatively quiet governor and U.S. Senate activity, including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s endorsement push. The focus shifts to the chaotic MN GOP convention: Adam Schwarze wins the Senate endorsement on the sixth ballot, while the governor endorsement stretches to 10 ballots with a voting anomaly, a revote, and a prolonged delay before Kendall Qualls secures the endorsement. Becky, Michael, and Preya debate whether the anomalies mattered, criticize party communications and Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Alex Plechash’s statement suggesting candidates need not abide by endorsements, discuss the postponed Lincoln Reagan Dinner, and assess Speaker Lisa Demuth’s decision to run in the primary and the broader impact on party unity and election-integrity narratives. 00:00 — Welcome, Episode Preview, and DFL Convention Recap: Opening remarks, an introduction to guest Preya Samsundar, and a recap of the DFL convention including Klobuchar’s first-ballot Senate endorsement and updates on the governor and lieutenant governor races. 07:17 — GOP Senate Endorsement: Why Delegates Picked Schwarze: How the GOP convention opened, why delegates moved to Adam Schwarze over Royce White and Michele Tafoya, and what the sixth-ballot outcome reveals about the field. 11:19 — Governor Endorsement Timeline and Clicker Chaos: A breakdown of the 10-ballot governor endorsement, a clicker malfunction and a voting anomaly, the revote drama, and the prolonged delay before Kendall Qualls secured the endorsement. 18:41 — Debating What Really Happened: A detailed debate over the anomalies, election integrity concerns, delegate dynamics, and what the voting irregularities mean for the party’s credibility on fraud and election issues. 42:00 — Chair Statement Fallout and Communication Meltdown: Criticism of Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Alex Plechash’s statement suggesting candidates need not abide by endorsements, the breakdown in party communications, and the dispute between the chair and executive committee. 50:58 — Lincoln Reagan Dinner Rumors and Demuth Goes Primary: The postponed Lincoln Reagan Dinner and what it signals, followed by a breakdown of Speaker Lisa Demuth’s decision to bypass the endorsement and run in the primary. 59:16 — Endorsement Process Debate, Gaslighting, and Momentum vs. Conspiracy: A broader debate over the endorsement process, criticism of denialism and gaslighting around the clicker controversy, and whether the party can channel the convention’s energy rather than conspiracy. 01:21:04 — Primary Fallout, Fixing a Broken Party, and Wrap Up: The messaging implications of the primary fallout, what it will take to repair party unity, and closing thoughts from the hosts and Preya Samsundar. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb are joined by DFL strategist Will Davis to preview Minnesota’s GOP convention in Duluth and the DFL convention in Rochester, offering predictions on endorsements, ballot counts, and potential fireworks. They discuss the MN GOP governor’s race, including the field of Lisa Demuth, Kendall Qualls, Mike Lindell, and Patrick Knight; Lindell's residency questions; possible running-mate scenarios; whether a late Trump endorsement could reshape the race; and expected disputes over using clickers versus paper ballots. For the GOP U.S. Senate endorsement, the hosts predict Adam Schwarze over Michele Tafoya and Royce White and briefly touch on the auditor’s contest. On the DFL side, they expect Amy Klobuchar to be endorsed for governor, note that Tim Walz is skipping the convention, and react to Angie Craig skipping the Senate endorsement as delegates align behind Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, with platform fights as the likeliest DFL flashpoint. 00:00 — Welcome, Convention Preview, and Why It Matters: Opening remarks, an introduction to guest Will Davis, and a breakdown of why conventions matter and how DFL and GOP convention cultures differ. 04:55 — The GOP Governor’s Field and Endorsement Forecast: An overview of the Republican governor’s race, who is likely to get endorsed, Lindell’s residency questions, and running-mate rumors. 18:45 — The Trump Endorsement Wildcard and Ballot Rules: Whether a late Trump endorsement could reshape the GOP governor’s race, plus a breakdown of ballot rules, the clicker versus paper ballot dispute, and source code conspiracy talk. 32:01 — GOP Senate Endorsement: Tafoya vs. Schwarze: How convention clickers work, a detailed breakdown of the Tafoya versus Schwarze matchup, and predictions for the GOP auditor race. 40:46 — Walz Skips the DFL Convention: Why Tim Walz is sitting out the DFL convention, what it signals, and the broader implications for the party heading into the fall. 45:27 — Klobuchar, the LG Pick, and Angie Craig’s Decision: Grumbling about Klobuchar within the DFL, lieutenant governor pick scenarios, and reaction to Angie Craig skipping the Senate endorsement. 55:46 — DFL Platform Fight, Final Watchlist and Wrap-up: The likeliest DFL flashpoint heading into Rochester and a final convention weekend watchlist for both parties. Wrap-up and closing remarks from the hosts and Will Davis. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb recap Minnesota’s just-ended 2026 legislative session, which concluded on time with a relatively quiet compromise, including an HCMC bailout with broader hospital funding, car tab and property tax relief, anti-fraud measures highlighted by a new Office of Inspector General, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill. They also note what failed to pass, including sports betting, new taxes, and several progressive priorities. They discuss how voters may view the session’s outcome, the political implications for both parties, and whether Senator Amy Klobuchar’s gubernatorial run influenced a drama-free finish. The hosts then break down gun-control legislation that passed the Senate but stalled in the tied House, the House DFL sit-in, and debate whether House Speaker Lisa Demuth should have allowed a floor vote. The episode concludes with a breakdown of multiple fraud developments, including whistleblower testimony, new indictments, a federal strike force and reporting tools, Amy Bock’s Feeding Our Future sentencing of over 40 years, and a Minnesota press conference announcing 15 indictments tied to another $90 million in suspected fraud. 00:00 — Introduction & Episode Highlights: Opening remarks, a birthday milestone for Becky, and a preview of the episode’s main topics. 02:17 — Session End; What Passed and What Didn’t: A rundown of the legislative session’s close, including the HCMC bailout, hospital funding, car tab relief, anti-fraud wins, the bonding bill, and what failed to cross the finish line. 19:33 — Voter Reaction and the Klobuchar Factor: How voters are processing the session’s outcomes and what Senator Klobuchar’s positioning means for the broader political landscape. 23:56 — The Gun Control Fight and the House Sit-In: A breakdown of the gun control showdown, the House sit-in, whether Republicans should allow a vote, and the political fallout, including outside spending and attack ads. 33:27 — Political Theater, Gun Votes, and Analysis of Speaker Lisa Demuth: Examining the political theater around gun votes and an early assessment of Speaker Demuth’s leadership style and positioning. 37:58 — What GOP Delegates Want and the Fighter Question: A look at delegate sentiment heading into the Republican Party of Minnesota’s state convention and the debate over what kind of candidate Republicans need to win. 45:24 — Fraud News, Federal Crackdown, and Comms Lessons: Breaking down the latest fraud developments, a federal crackdown, and what the press conference response reveals about messaging strategy. 51:48 — Political Fallout, Election Targets, Bigger Indictments, and Wrap Up: The downstream political consequences, likely election targets, what bigger indictments could mean, and closing thoughts. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return after Michael’s week off due to health issues before breaking down Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s first major gubernatorial campaign rollout: a Sunday St. Paul press conference and “Get Results and Make Government Accountable” anti-fraud agenda, framed as a break from the status quo and a prosecutor-led push for oversight and jail time in major cases. They compare Klobuchar’s approach with the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention & State Agency Oversight Committee's detailed report and debate whether Republicans can translate dense findings into voter-friendly messaging, including how the issue may affect down-ballot races. They then examine the ongoing question of whether Klobuchar is truly a moderate, including her redistricting stance, bipartisan brand, and voting patterns. The episode also covers continued local resistance to Minnesota’s new state flag. It concludes with criticism of President Donald Trump’s claim that he doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situation, along with a discussion of gas prices heading into the election. 00:00 — Introduction & Episode Highlights: remarks, a kidney stone update from the hosts, and a preview of the episode’s main topics. 04:34 — Klobuchar’s Fraud Rollout and the Walz Question: Breaking down Klobuchar’s move to front the fraud story, how Walz is distancing himself from the issue, and the messaging dynamics at play. 16:57 — The Fraud Committee Report: A detailed look at the committee’s findings, whether Klobuchar’s rollout stole thunder from Republicans, and what the report means politically. 29:04 — Is Klobuchar Actually a Moderate? Examining the gap between Klobuchar’s moderate brand and her actual voting record, including her redistricting stance, gerrymandering positions, bipartisan wins, and progressive flashpoints. 39:06 — Persona Versus Record: A deeper interrogation of whether Klobuchar’s moderation is real or performative, and what her voting history reveals about her actual positioning. 49:10 — The State Flag Backlash Fallout: A break down of the political backlash over the state flag redesign. 01:00:40 — Trump, Affordability, and Gas Prices: Analyzing Trump’s positioning on affordability issues, gas price trends heading into the election, and what it means for voters. 01:07:48 — Closing Thoughts and Courting Harry: Michael makes a plug for Courting Harry, which opens Saturday at the History Theatre and explores the lifelong friendship and political divide between Minnesota-born U.S. Supreme Court justices Harry Blackmun and Warren Burger. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb sit down with former Minnesota Rep. Dennis Smith, now chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota’s Elephant Club. Smith reflects on his legislative record working across the aisle, a brief run for attorney general, and what it takes to build a Republican Party capable of winning statewide again. Smith breaks down the Elephant Club’s donor events, what he’s hearing from Republican contributors, and why he believes the GOP needs a broader tent to compete in Minnesota. He also walks through his candidate-driven Zoom forums featuring five GOP gubernatorial hopefuls, the concerns he hears most from voters: the economy, fraud, and electability. His advice to delegates: do your homework and stay engaged well beyond convention. Then Becky and Michael react to Governor Tim Walz’s final State of the State address. They break down how Walz framed it as a legacy speech, hitting childcare, cost of living, freedoms, and fraud, and what it signals about how he wants to be remembered. Next, they dig into FBI raids at 22 Minnesota locations tied to alleged public program fraud and the political fight over who deserves credit for the operation. They close on a sobering note: the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the growing threat of political violence, and what it means for the people willing to serve in public life. 00:00 — Introduction & Episode Highlights Overview of the episode, guest preview, and what’s ahead. 01:10 — Meet Dennis Smith: Introduction to former Minnesota Rep. Dennis Smith, his legislative record of working across the aisle, his run for attorney general, and his role leading the Republican Party of Minnesota’s Elephant Club. 03:30 — Building a Broader Republican Tent: Smith breaks down the Elephant Club’s mission, donor sentiment, and why Minnesota Republicans need a bigger tent to win statewide. 08:31 — Gubernatorial Zoom Forums and Voter Concerns: Smith walks through his candidate-driven forums featuring five GOP gubernatorial hopefuls, the top concerns he hears from voters: economy, fraud, and electability, and his advice for delegates heading into convention. 27:55 — Interview Reaction & Gov. Walz’s Final State of the State: Becky and Michael respond to the interview, then break down Governor Walz’s final State of the State address and what it reveals about the legacy he’s trying to build. 48:11 — FBI Fraud Raids and the Fight Over Credit: A deep dive into FBI raids at 22 Minnesota locations tied to alleged public program fraud and the political dispute over who deserves credit for the operation. 54:54 — The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting: A breakdown of the security incident in Washington, the failures it exposed, and what it means for those in public life. 01:08:21 — Political Violence, Public Service, and Closing Thoughts: A sobering conversation about the growing threat of political violence in Minnesota and across the country, and what it means for the people willing to serve. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb sit down with Lars Leafblad of Ballinger Leafblad, one of Minnesota’s top executive search leaders, to talk about a leadership crisis hiding in plain sight. Leafblad estimates roughly 60% turnover since 2020 across elected officials, nonprofit CEOs, and major employers, driven by a perfect storm of the pandemic, George Floyd’s murder, political violence, and a wave of generational retirements. The conversation goes deeper than the numbers. Leafblad argues that the collapse of in-person networking has hollowed out civic relationships and what he calls “civic IQ.” He points to the Citizens League and its Legislative Exchange program as models for rebuilding those connections and linking people who care about Minnesota with the power and capital to make a difference. On a lighter note: Leafblad walks through how he won bipartisan legislative approval to launch a DNR-run contest to redesign the State Parks and Trails license plate, with the Lake Superior agate as the centerpiece. In Minnesota, that counts as a big win! Then Becky and Michael break down where things stand in the U.S. Senate race between Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, including the debate landscape. Finally, they take a close look at Gov. Tim Walz’s new “Small Town PAC,” his latest effort to rebuild Democratic support in rural America. 00:00 — Introduction & Episode Highlights: Overview of the episode, guest preview, and a quick birthday shoutout by Becky. 03:31 — Meet Lars Leafblad: Introduction to Lars Leafblad of Ballinger Leafblad, his work in executive search, and why Minnesota’s leadership pipeline is in trouble. 06:01 — The 60% Turnover Crisis: Leafblad breaks down the data: how a perfect storm of pandemic, George Floyd’s murder, political violence, and generational retirements hollowed out Minnesota’s leadership class. 08:10 — Rebuilding Civic Connection: The collapse of in-person networking, the erosion of civic IQ, and why organizations like the Citizens League matter more than ever. 13:59 — Economic Impacts and the Talent Drain: What happens when cities lose their movers and shakers, and the long-term economic consequences of leadership turnover. 44:47 — The Lake Superior Agate License Plate Story: How Leafblad won bipartisan support to launch a DNR-run contest to redesign Minnesota’s State Parks and Trails license plate. 57:14 — Hosts Reflect & Senate Race Debate Fight: Host reactions to the interview, followed by a breakdown of the debate battle in the Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan U.S. Senate race and why it matters. 01:22:25 — Walz’s Small Town PAC & Closing: A close look at Gov. Tim Walz’s new rural Democratic strategy, pushback from critics, and closing remarks. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe