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By Sydney Kashiwagi

Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune

Hello and welcome back to another D.C. Dish! 

It's day 28 of the government shutdown and both sides have yet to come to the negotiating table as the pressure mounts for lawmakers to act. 

Looming risk. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is warning that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits won't be issued starting Nov. 1. 

Union puts pressure on Congress. Meanwhile, the largest federal workers union in the country called on Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. "No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today," American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said in a news release. 

It's unclear if the pressure will get lawmakers on either side to budge. In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz and state officials announced Monday that Minnesota will put $4 million in emergency funding toward food shelves as cuts to SNAP benefits loom, my colleague Ryan Faircloth reports. Read more.

Impact in Minnesota. Ruark Hotopp of Minnesota's AFGE District 8 told me the union has yet to see any reduction in force (RIF) notices go out to its local members, but the shutdown has made it stressful, nonetheless. 

"They are on the verge of missing a second paycheck now," Hotopp said of federal workers. "So, things are very stressful, and we continue to ask for our lawmakers to find a resolution to this shutdown so that our members can receive the pay they have earned and that they can then take care of their bills and families."

Latonya Reeves expected to run for CD5. There's lots of focus on the upcoming Minneapolis mayoral race right now, but things are heating up in races on the ballot next fall. DNC member and party activist Latonya Reeves is expected to announce Nov. 9 that she's running against Rep. Ilhan Omar in the Fifth District, local Democrats, including some familiar with her plans, tell me. 

Reeves is set to hold a "special celebration" Nov. 9 in Minneapolis where she plans to make an "exciting announcement," according to a flyer for the event a Democrat shared with me. 

Wait and see. Reeves told me she's "not ready to share details ahead of the event" when I asked her if she's going to announce a run against Omar. But Democrats in the know say it's a campaign launch and comes several months after Reeves convened a call with Minneapolis operatives to talk about putting together a campaign team. 

"Latonya is the hardest-working person I know in the DFL and in life," said a supporter and Democrat familiar with her plans. "She is somebody that puts everything in and is a shower-upper and speaks her mind and I think that's what we need right now. We can't have someone who shies away from the difficult topics that are plaguing our party right now and Latonya will be someone who speaks up for underrepresented communities."

Could it be a long shot? Omar has coalesced support from Democrats across the state heading into her 2026 re-election bid. Her fundraising prowess and name recognition will make it difficult for any Democrat to challenge her. 

"Right now, a lot of Democrats in this Trump environment are extremely focused on competitive congressional seats and keeping the Legislature more than fighting safe seats," one Democratic operative said about the prospect of a competitive primary in the deep blue district. 

GOP candidate enters Fifth District field. John Nagel, a lifelong Minnesotan and 30-year veteran of the State Patrol, announced Monday that he's running for the Fifth District. 

“I’ve spent my entire career protecting Minnesotans on the highways, in crises, and in our communities,” Nagel said in a statement. “Now I’m stepping up again to serve my neighbors, my city, and my country. Washington has lost touch with common sense, and it’s time to send someone who hasn’t.”

Opting out in the Second District. Former Minneapolis DFL Vice Chair Mike Norton tells me he's decided not to jump into the crowded field of Democrats vying to replace Rep. Angie Craig, who's running for the U.S. Senate. 

“I’m concerned [Gov. Tim Walz] could be dilutive down ballot next year and think it would be better for DFLers to consolidate support behind one strong candidate so we can focus on beating Republicans," Norton told me. 

There's currently three Democrats in the field: state Sen. Matt Klein, former state Sen. Matt Little and state Rep. Kaela Berg. I've heard chatter Norton may back Little in the race. 

Debate drama. Meanwhile, Little has been publicly calling on Klein and Berg to debate him in the race. "I think they're scared, honestly, and we need right now candidates who aren't scared to say what they believe and what they stand for," Little told me. 

Though they haven't gotten back to Little, Klein's and Berg's campaigns both told me the candidates are willing to hold debates. 

"I think this is just silly," Klein's campaign manger Tara Erickson told me. "Generally third-party organizations, like the League of Women Voters, the Sierra Club and other advocacy organizations organize debates, it’s not the other way around. When an organization invites the candidates to a debate, Dr. Klein will be there." 

White House nominates Minnesota U.S. Marshal candidate. The White House has nominated former Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart to be Minnesota's next U.S. Marshal, sending his name to the Senate for confirmation. 

Stuart was tapped by the White House after Minnesota's four Republicans in Congress recommended him for the job earlier this year. 

"James served in law enforcement for thirty years and experienced firsthand the importance of strong law and order policies," Reps. Tom Emmer, Pete Stauber, Michelle Fischbach and Brad Finstad said in a joint statement.

TBD on Senate confirmation. Stuart's nomination comes after the U.S. Senate confirmed Daniel Rosen as Minnesota's next U.S. Attorney earlier this month.

Walz has no public events scheduled for today. 

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