At Issue: Sept. 5 — Gubernatorial campaign announcements; the "Squad" visits Line 3

In some ways, the gubernatorial election kicked off this week as two prominent Republicans began jockeying their way headlong into the nomination process.

This week on "At Issue," we look at Sen. Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), who officially announced her bid for governor, along with Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake), who stepped down from his post as the top-ranking Republican in the state. Gazelka is expected to officially announce his candidacy soon.

Our political analysts look at Benson’s chances to determine if she would be a better fit for Republicans than Gazelka or former one-term state Sen. Scott Jensen — who was one of the first candidates to announce their run — in the race against DFL Gov. Tim Walz. Walz has not officially announced but has indicated he is running for re-election.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-5th Congressional District) invited members of the so-called "Squad" to Minnesota this week in an effort to rally activists against the controversial Enbridge Line 3 pipeline replacement project.