Trust in government is low. Politicians are trading personal insults on social media. And, Americans see the country as more divided than at any other time since the Civil War. 

What would it take to bring more dialogue, respect and effectiveness to politics?

A first-of-its-kind program from the Citizen’s League is starting small and personal, with an “exchange” program for pairs of state Republican and DFL legislators. The goal is to build genuine relationships across the aisle and help legislators gain firsthand insight into a region of Minnesota different from their own.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert reported on one of the first legislator pairs to participate. On Tuesday, she sat down to talk more with them and with the program’s founder about what it takes to build bipartisan trust.

And we want to hear from you, too.

What questions do you have about what it’s like to be a new legislator, especially in a divided statehouse? Have you had a personal relationship that helped you better understand someone from the opposite political party?

Call us during the 9 am hour at 651-227-6000 or 800-242-2828.  

Guests:  

• Jake Loesch is the executive director of the Citizen’s League, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that empowers people to engage in civic life and public policy. He previously served on the League’s board of directors and as director of communications and public engagement for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

• State Rep. Anquam Mahamoud, DFL-Minneapolis, was elected in 2024 to represent several neighborhoods in south-central Minneapolis. 

• State Rep. Cal Warwas, R-Eveleth, was elected in 2024 to represent several communities in the heart of the Iron Range in northern Minnesota. 

 Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.     

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.