From Almanac's Mary Lahammer

Thought I'd repost her thoughts here:

CAPITOL ELECTION FALL OUT
Today I got to see a remarkable thing, 26 new members of the House filing into the Capitol just days after being elected. Now 26 isn't an unprecidented number, what is unusual is that half of them are Democrats who took seats away from Republicans. Republicans lost in nearly every area of the state. Democrats' case is bouyed by the fact this wasn't trend in one area of the state. The most surprising seems to be the losses in Rochester. I've been told that Rochester hasn't sent Democrats to the Capitol since Watergate. It's interesting that if voters' message was for moderation they kicked out some of the most moderate Republicans. Jim Rhodes and Lynne Osterman often spoke up for compromise and common ground. I think they will be missed. And if Republicans miss the message from the electorate they could see further losses in 2006. Our electorate never ceases to amaze me. Just when we thought we figured out that Minnesota was increasingly Republican and conservative they turn things around. This is legislative equivalent to Jesse Ventura's election. Voters seemed to have had enough of the status quo--bickering, partisanship, gridlock. What we'll have to see is if the same four leaders can put the past behind them and get along and agree this session. I hope they surprise me.