Tom Horner, Rob Hahn Make Headlines in MN Guv Race

Here is the latest round-up of news related to Minnesota IP candidates Tom Horner and Rob Hahn. Horner is a former GOP staffer and PR executive who has the endorsement of the party in the upcoming primary. Rob Hahn is a Twin Cities magazine publisher.

• Both candidates have released plans for a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. Horner calls for the team to pay 40% of the $900 million tab, with the cost covered in revenue from a racino, a game ticket tax, and a penny tax on liquor. Rob Hahn released three different options, all providing approximately $200 million from the state. The new stadium has become an issue with the upcoming end of the Vikings’ lease on the current stadium and rumors of the team’s potential exit to LA. The major party candidates have not yet weighed in on the issue.

• Some IP members are worried the party has not rallied around its endorsed candidate, Tom Horner. The plea for support notes that Horner has raised less than $200,000 since the start of 2010, but is on track to receive over $200,000 in public funding due to the party’s status. Rob Hahn has not approached this level of fundraising and did not file for public funding.

• Rob Hahn has come under fire for a protection order his ex-wife placed against him. He says his wife’s account of the incident, in which she claims he threatened to kill her, is fairly accurate. However, he splits hairs on the details of her account. In addition, he points out that he has been open about the incident in the past, acknowledging his mistake. The party chairman weighs in on the affair here.

• The Star Tribune gives Horner a few pages to describe what it means to be a moderate here. He goes into great detail about his governing philosophy on various issues, so it may be worth a read.

• The paper also gives Hahn space to talk about his motivation to run here. His main issue: family law reform.