This is some pretty old news (i.e., that Mark Ritchie has strong communist sympathies and ties). Unforunately, Minnesotans know this and accept it. Minnesota is the state of Washington but with more snow: Both strongly embrace socialism.
I used to know Mark Ritchie, back in my “progressive” days—and admired him tremendously at the time... until one particular day, which I describe here:
http://westforwestwing2012.com/2010/12/03/democrats-in-high-places-and-their-communist-party-pals/