Game Changer

The man who helped to deliver Al Franken is not running for reelection in 2014. Mark Ritchie is going away:

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie decided that eight years of long hours, accusations of stolen elections and the occasional death threat was enough. On Tuesday the Minneapolis DFLer announced he will step down at the end of next year, setting off an immediate scramble for an office that both Democrats and Republicans are eager to control.

That line, "an office that both Democrats and Republicans are eager to control," is a pretty significant understatement. Since the Secretary of State plays a huge role in the voting process in this state and can put his/her thumb on the scale in any number of ways, it's a hugely important office. This is one to watch.