Quick Hits: Volume CDIV (more Minnesota stuff)

 - With "No Kings" rallies slated to occur across the country this weekend, Minnesota's own Nebraska Fats Gov. Tim Walz plans to be more present at the Twin Cities gathering.  

Earlier this week, Walz appeared on MSNBC MS NOW show All In to do what he loves best: slam President Donald Trump while acting like the disarray in Minnesota has absolutely nothing to do with looney leftist policy. 

A couple things stand out from that appearance. First Walz's contention that President Trump "breaks it and moves on." Huh. You mean like you, governor, turning a blind eye to warning signs of rampant fraud in Minnesota and then not seeking reelection once the heat gets turned up? Oh, and that whole bit about our state "provided the template here for pushing back" on the Trump administration? Well, let's get real. There were some solid cases of obstruction of justice that could have been brought given immigration enforcement is under the purview of the Feds. But also, the Customs Border Patrol, under the direction of then DHS head Kristi Noem completely, completely bungled many of their operations. So it wasn't so much "pushback" from Minnesotans that sent CBP packing as much as it was, sadly, incompetence on the Feds' part.

But hey, at least Walz can go back to a venue where he can puff out his chest without having to be reminded of the utter buffoonery that was his VP candidacy in 2024. 

- Believe it or not, the Minnesota Legislature can occasionally show strong bipartisanship. 

The Minnesota Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a measure to repeal César Chávez Day in the state after sexual abuse allegations against the late civil rights icon surfaced.

The 67-0 vote sends the bill to DFL Gov. Tim Walz after House approval on Monday. Walz is expected to quickly sign the bill.

The New York Times published a report on March 18 detailing several allegations of sexual abuse by Chávez, a Latino farm labor activist, including the sexual abuse of two minor girls and the assault and rape of Dolores Huerta, who led the farmworkers’ movement of the 1960s and ’70s alongside Chávez.

State and local leaders have quickly responded, leading to the push at the Capitol to repeal the quickly approaching “César Chávez Day” on March 31, Chávez’s birthday.

St. Paul also has a street named after Chávez on the West Side, as well as a charter school, Academia César Chávez.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her said this week that she’s assembling a group of stakeholders and residents to discuss the future of the street name.

Ramona Arreguín de Rosales, an activist who personally met Chávez and the co-founder of Academia César Chávez, said she has recommended that the Board of Academia César Chávez change the school’s name.

This is undoubtedly the morally correct stance. However, it's notable that Chávez's support for an ideology (Communism) which has caused death and destruction of millions of people across the world should have been more than enough to keep him from being "honored" in the first place. 

- Yeah, so this ain't good.  

NEW overnight:
MN State Rep. Elliott Engen (R-36A) was arrested overnight on probable cause DWI. He's been released on recognizance.

A statement has been requested. pic.twitter.com/khNnC57HHN

— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) March 27, 2026

3/
Minnesota GOP Rep. Elliott Engen arrested on suspicion of drunk driving

According to police, Engen had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.13.https://t.co/FNlw3vnBhM

— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) March 27, 2026

Rep. Engen eventually posted a statement on Friday.  

To my family, colleagues and constituents. I am deeply sorry.

I strive to be a man of good character, and my actions fell short last night.

I will learn from this. I will do better.

Elliott

— Elliott Engen (@elliottengenMN) March 27, 2026

I first met Elliott back in 2020, when, as a 22-year old, he sought election to the Minnesota House. He fell short that cycle but emerged victorious in a close race in 2022, becoming the youngest member of the MN Legislature at age 24. He then coasted to reelection in 2024. 

Sometime last year, Engen chose to seek the GOP nomination for MN State Auditor. Given a Minnesota Republican winning a statewide race is tough lift even with a spotless background, I contend Engen is now far too damaged to continue in the Auditor race. Heck, in this year's environment, reelection to his House seat would be unlikely. 

Elliot is only 27 with a wife and young son at home. While I have no doubt he will, in his words, "do better," the redemption story needs to begin away from the spotlight. 

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