Wide Awake Minnesota

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews are joined by Sherburne County Commissioner Andrew Hulse to discuss the election night issues in Sherburne County.  The conversation centers on a data upload error involving mail-in ballots. Due to a partially seated memory card, the Minnesota Secretary of State's website displayed only partial election results. Commissioner...

In this episode,  Republican Party of Minnesota Executive Director Anna Mathews is joined by Alicia Leiviska, campaign director for the House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC), to reflect on the Minnesota House elections and the GOP's successful efforts to break the Democratic trifecta.  Alicia shares insights into the HRCC's strategy, including robust field teams, strong candidate support, and...

In this episode, Republican Party of Minnesota Executive Director Anna Mathews engages with guests Dahlia al-Aqidi and Tad Jude, Republican congressional candidates in Minnesota. Dahlia, who is challenging Ilhan Omar in the 5th District, discusses her vision for inclusivity and public safety and her opposition to Omar's policies, which she argues have damaged the community, especially in areas lik...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews discuss JD Vance's recent visit to Minneapolis and its contentious media coverage, focusing on rising crime, media bias, and political accountability. They criticize the media's portrayal of Vance's comments on the state of Minneapolis, arguing that the city's struggles with crime and business closures reflect more profound g...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews discuss the concerns surrounding Minnesota's new automatic voter registration system, especially in light of recent reports that non-citizens have been mistakenly registered to vote due to the state's new "driver's licenses for all" law. They criticize the Minnesota DFL's one-sided implementation of election laws, which they...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews discuss the latest polling data for the 2024 elections, focusing on Minnesota's tight political landscape. They highlight how the Harris-Walz ticket struggles to gain traction, with polls showing a shrinking lead over Trump, especially among independent voters.  They discuss that while Democrats lead in urban areas like Henne...

In this episode, Republican Party of Minnesota Executive Director Anna Mathews welcomes Representative Walter Hudson , the newly appointed Strategic Outreach and Engagement Director .  They discuss the importance of outreach efforts in diverse communities, including Rep. Hudson's initiative at the Juneteenth festival, where he engaged with voters by setting up a booth encouraging open dialogue. Re...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews discuss Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's shortcomings and failures. They criticize his tenure as highly partisan, arguing that Walz has governed by catering to the far-left progressive base despite campaigning as a centrist. The hosts highlight several specific issues, including his handling of election laws, anti-business polic...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews discuss the vibrant atmosphere and high level of unity among delegates at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.  Chairman Hann shares personal reflections on his first RNC Convention experience, noting the celebratory atmosphere and the camaraderie among delegates.  They discuss the potential political strategies m...

In this episode of Wide Awake Minnesota, Executive Director Anna Mathews sits down with two of the Minnesota Republican Party's most competitive candidates, Republican-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Royce White and Republican-endorsed candidate for Congress in Minnesota's Second Congressional District Taylor Rahm , to discuss their campaigns against incumbents Rep. Angie Craig and U.S. Senator Amy...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews analyze the recent Trump-Biden presidential debate. President Trump's composed, issue-focused performance starkly contrasts President Biden's apparent incoherence and confusion. Biden consistently finds it challenging to present coherent arguments and concentrate, implying that he is unfit for the office. Trump's performance...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews celebrate significant milestones and discuss the politics of the state of Minnesota. The episode begins with the announcement that the Republican Party of Minnesota is debt-free for the first time in over a decade, a feat achieved through successful fundraising efforts, including a significant dinner event with President Trum...

In this episode, Anna Mathews, the party's executive director, is joined by multiple guests, including Joy Orvis, AK Kamara, Emily Novotny Chance, and Amanda Hughes, who are candidates to be members of the Republican National Committee from Minnesota. The episode touches on personal stories from the guests about their political journeys, reflections on influential political figures, and their own...

In this episode, David Hann, chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, and Anna Mathews, the party's executive director, are joined by their first guest - former Senator Michelle Benson - who has chaired the party's constitution and bylaws committee. The episode discusses the upcoming proposals set to be presented at the state convention, focusing on the need to streamline the Republican Party's...

In this episode, David Hann, chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, and Anna Mathews, the party's executive director, tackle the resurgence and appeal of communism and socialism within the Democratic Party, particularly among its younger demographics and city councils, like Minneapolis. They discuss how these ideologies are becoming mainstream within the party, citing the election of candidat...

  In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews have a discussion centered on internal party issues and updates related to the Otter Tail County precinct caucuses. They provide background on long-standing tensions within Otter Tail County, particularly allegations of "padding the caucus list" in 2022, where names were allegedly added to delegate lists after caucus night...

In this episode, David Hann, chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, and Anna Mathews, the party's executive director, discuss the outcomes and implications of the recent presidential primary held on March 5th. They highlight the increased voter turnout for the Republican primary compared to four years ago, and contrast it with the significantly lower turnout of Democratic voters for their can...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews from the Minnesota Republican Party discuss the lawsuit filed by the DFL to remove the major party status of a rival political party and highlight changes in the law affecting party status qualifications. Hann and Mathews criticize these changes as politically motivated to disadvantage opponents, particularly targeting the Le...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews continue their discussion on Minnesota politics, focusing on recent polling results and their implications for the Republican Party. They delve into public sentiment regarding economic issues, taxation, and legislative actions, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the Minnesota Democrats.  The episode also covers stra...

In this episode, Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews dive into the intricacies of the Republican National Committee (RNC), following Chairman Hann's recent attendance at an RNC meeting in Las Vegas. They demystify the RNC's structure and its role in supporting the Republican Party on a national scale, emphasizing its focus on federal elections, fundraising, and maintaining a co...

Welcome to the premiere episode of Wide Awake Minnesota, a podcast hosted by Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews, where they pull back the curtain to give you an insider's perspective on Minnesota politics and the things Minnesota Democrats don't want you to know. This episode delves into the significance of the podcast's name, drawing inspiration...

Welcome to Wide Awake Minnesota, a podcast hosted by Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann and Executive Director Anna Mathews, where they pull back the curtain to give you an insider's perspective on Minnesota politics and the things Minnesota Democrats don't want you to know.