Minnesota- Why can't the GOP get the job done there?

[bedstuy]

Minnesota has a Scandinavian heritage.  That culture made the state more communitarian, egalitarian and less individualistic than most of the US.  It's the same reason why Scandinavian nations tend to be left of center politically.  That culture also fostered a strong trade union movement which is a culture in itself.  You see that in the Iron Range which is a DFL stronghold despite being mostly white and non-urban.  On top of that, the Twin Cities has an urban population of educated whites and minorities that go strongly DFL.   

However, as time has gone on, the economy of the Twin Cities attracted a fair number of new residents from outside Minnesota.  The GOP capitalized on this growth, especially in the suburbs and exurbs of the Twin Cities.  At the same time though, some of this GOP success has been over-estimated.  DFL candidates lost a few statewide races because of the Independence party splitting the vote and mediocre DFL candidates like Mike Hatch and Roger Moe. 

In the future, I expect Minnesota to stay in the Democratic column in Presidential elections.  I think the Scandinavian culture will start to erode somewhat as the state becomes more homogeneous.  But, any DFL loss will be offset by increasing diversity in the Twin Cities.

[bedstuy]

What do you all think is the Democrats' equivalent of Minnesota? I suppose the strongest contender is North Dakota, although a case could have been made for Virginia pre-2008.

Arizona.  Same independent streak, similar size, has cultural attitude that leans R (rugged individualist as opposed to Minnesota communitarian).