DEMOCRAT Archives - KVRR Local News

North Dakota, Minnesota Lawmakers Discuss Local Impact of Government Shutdown

Some nonprofit organizations may be unable to pay employees while federal funding is frozen.

October 1, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – “I’m also thinking about everybody else who’s going to pay the cost – literally – if hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans or people in North Dakota lose their health insurance,” said Sen. Tina Smith (D) of Minnesota. Smith is part of the Democratic contingent currently trying to hash out an agreement with Republican legislators to get…

Nicole Mitchell’s attorney requests felony conviction to be changed to misdemenors

September 21, 2025

KVRR Staff,

Nicole MitchellDETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — Former Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell’s attorney is requesting that her felony conviction be changed to a misdemeanor at her upcoming sentencing hearing. Mitchell was convicted of felony burglary and possession of burglary tools by a Becker County jury in July. She broke into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes in April 2024. Her attorney, Dane Dekrey,…

Democrat XP Lee wins special election to fill State Rep. Melissa Hortman’s seat

September 16, 2025

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL (KVRR/AP) — XP Lee has won the special election for House District 34b, that is the district represented by the late Democratic State Representative Melissa Hortman. She and her husband were fatally shot in June in a politically motivated assassination. Lee, a Democrat, is a former Brooklyn Park city council member. “I am honored to have been elected…

Former Sen. Larry Robinson of Valley City died Wednesday in Minneapolis

September 4, 2025

TJ Nelson,

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (KVRR) — Former Sen. Larry Robinson of Valley City has died at the age of 75. Robinson died Wednesday at a hospital in Minneapolis. The Democrat represented District 24 in the senate from 1989 to 2020. Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued the following statement: “Larry Robinson was a true statesman of the Senate and a great colleague who…

Former North Dakota Democratic State Representative Aarsvold has Died

August 27, 2025

TJ Nelson,

MAYVILLE, N.D. (KVRR) — Former Democratic State Rep. Olav “Ole” Aarsvold has died at the age of 84. Aarsvold died Monday at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville. He was born in Blanchard, North Dakota and served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1989 to 2008. A visitation will be held on Friday from 5-6 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home…

Sen. Tina Smith given “clean bill of health” following hospital stay

July 17, 2025

Alison Voorhees,

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — Sen. Tina Smith says she’s been given “a clean bill of health” and she’s ready to get back to work fighting for Minnesotans. The Minnesota Democrat was admitted to George Washington University Hospital. Last night, a post on X from her staff says she went to the Capitol physician who recommended she undergo a more thorough…

UPDATE: Two Minnesota Lawmakers Shot, One Killed in Early Morning Attacks

Authorities say the shooter may have been impersonating a police officer.

June 14, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

Rep. Hortman and Sen. Hoffman, respectively.MINNEAPOLIS, MN – According to multiple media outlets, two Minnesota lawmakers, Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman, were shot inside their homes in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, in coordinated early-morning attacks. Both are Democrats. Both lawmakers’ spouses were shot in the attacks as well. The Brooklyn Park Police Department sent out a shelter-in-place…

Democrat Melissa Lopez Franzen Drops Out of U.S. Senate Race in Minnesota

May 18, 2025

TJ Nelson,

EDINA, Minn. (KVRR) — Former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Melissa Lopez Franzen has ended her campaign for U.S. Senate. In a statement, Franzen says she decided to end her run after thoughtful reflection and conversations with family, supporters, and community leaders. She served ten years in the state senate but left after new legislative maps were drawn in 2022. The…

Wadena Democrat Begins First Political Campaign For Congress In MN’s 7th District

March 11, 2025

TJ Nelson,

WADENA, Minn. (KVRR) — A Wadena, Minnesota man is jumping into politics and running for Congress in the 7th District, which covers most of western Minnesota. Erik Osberg is a Democrat who has worked in construction, media, finance, and as a small business owner. He says he is running to bring honest, hardworking leadership to Washington. “I’m not a politician,…

Democrat Melissa Lopez-Franzen Enters Minnesota U.S. Senate Race

March 10, 2025

TJ Nelson, KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL (KVRR/KFGO) — Former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Melissa Lopez-Franzen is joining the race for U.S. Senate. The Democrat from Edina says she’s launching a campaign focused on fighting for working families and bringing common sense and decency to Washington. She served ten years in the state senate but left after new legislative maps were drawn in 2022. Democratic…