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Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb open with an update ahead of the first anniversary of Speaker Melissa Hortman’s assassination attempt, 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 s...

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 ball...

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 ...

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 ...

A Break Down on 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 Oversi...

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 Minn...

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...

In their 150th episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb celebrate the podcast’s growth, highlight past guests and panels, and thank their families. Next, they interview Minnesota native and independent journalist Aaron Rupar. Rupar recounts his path from local media to ThinkProgress and Vox, and to his Substack Public Notice, explaining how he pioneered real-time political video clipping, his daily workflow, platform engagement, and how he deci...