Trail mix: Major police group silent so far on Minnesota's governor's race

Driving the news: MPPOA brass joined GOP U.S. Senate nominee Michele Tafoya Tuesday for a news conference touting her proposals to crack down on gang violence.

• "What we need is a U.S. senator that will make it a priority to assist local agencies and state agencies in our fight against crime," said MPPOA executive director David Titus, whose group formally endorsed Tafoya last month.

The intrigue: When asked whether MPPOA will pick a side in the race between Republican Lisa Demuth and Democrat Amy Klobuchar, Titus demurred.

• "We're not in a position to discuss the governor's race," he said.
• He declined to elaborate after the news conference, quipping "nice try" to reporters who inquired about the plans.

Between the lines: MPPOA has backed both Demuth and Klobuchar in the past. It endorsed the GOP House speaker's state legislative bids — and gave $250 to her gubernatorial campaign in February — and supported Klobuchar in her past campaigns for U.S. Senate.

• Both candidates rolled out their own public safety plans in recent days.

What they're saying: Titus suggested that MPPOA's relationship with the Walz-Flanagan administration may have influenced its decision to wade into the U.S. Senate contest.

• "We have had more conversations with Michele Tafoya, a civilian, about public safety than we ever had with the lieutenant governor," he said.

The other side: Flanagan's campaign pointed to the Walz administration's record on public safety funding and said she's been in contact with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension about gang violence prevention.