Minnesota Focus: Progressive Candidates in Minnesota

Here are a handful of candidates in Minnesota who deserve some serious support.


Kieth Ellison for Congress:

Ellison Forum Touts Potential for Clean Energy Jobs

Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-05) SLAMS Republican Hypocrisy on Tax Cuts for the Rich:



Kieth Ellison on Social Security:

Our country created this monumental program to address the lack of basic economic security among America’s seniors. Before Social Security, they struggled to put food on the table, obtain medical care, and keep roofs over their heads.

During those desperate times, our nation stood up to care for people who needed help. Through the years, America’s commitment to our seniors has not wavered—and our country is better off for it. Social Security is the largest source of income for the majority of our seniors, lifting 13 million elderly Americans out of poverty.

As Hubert Humphrey once said, “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”

Social Security embodies our ongoing commitment to care for one another, and to provide basic economic security for those who need it most. It represents our belief that everybody counts, everybody matters—regardless of age, income, or background.

Like generations of Americans before us, we must continue looking out for the well-being of our neighbors. You can help me continue standing up for America’s seniors by pledging to vote for me in the November 2 general election...

Thank you in advance for your ongoing commitment to strengthening the economic security of all Americans.

Sincerely,

Keith Ellison

Kieth Ellison has been endorsed by:

American Postal Workers Union
American Federation of Teachers
Education Minnesota
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49
Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council
Minnesota Nurses Association
Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council
Minnesota Police and Peace Officer Association
Sheet Metal Workers Local 10
Teamsters Local 120
Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE
United Auto Workers
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
Association of Flight Attendants
Communication Workers of America
Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Laborers International Union of North America
National Association of Letter Carriers
National Education Association
UNITE HERE Local 17
SEIU-Minnesota State Council
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers No. 1
United Steel Workers
Planned Parenthood
Human Rights Campaign
Sierra Club
Citizens for Global Solutions
Clean Water Action
21st Century Democrats
National Stonewall Democrats
Stonewall DFL
Humane Society Legislative Fund
National Association of Social Workers

Weekly Phone Banks for Keith Ellison for Congress:

When: Every Sunday - Thursday from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Ellison Campaign Office (3017 27th Ave S, Minneapolis)

Join us for weekly phone banks at the Ellison campaign office! To sign up, please contact Susy Bates at sbates@dfl.org or call (612) 655-5926.


Mark Ritchie for Secretary of State in Minnesota

Incumbent Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie was one of the main factors that allowed a fair and accurate recount of Minnesota's Senate race that allowed the real winner, Al Franken, to take office. His honesty and careful attention to accuracy means he is a major target of the right wing who are angry that they couldn't stop the recount.

Mark Ritchie has worked hard for veterans, troops:

I was really happy to hear that Secretary of State Mark Ritchie had recently visited southeast Minnesota. The work that he has done for our veterans and troops is impressive.

He's worked with the legislators to remove barriers so that there has been a 300 percent increase in military ballots cast successfully. A new military voter website implemented by Ritchie simplified the process of voting for military and overseas voters.

Because Mark Ritchie's department prioritized military ballot protection, we have twice as many military ballots being cast, with half as many being rejected as the national average. He's honored as a patriotic employer in appreciation of his support of employees' participation in the Guard and Reserve. He also has championed legislation to assist small business owners returning from active duty.

Ritchie has worked hard to clean up the election process and has launched many programs that remind people that their right to vote has been ensured thanks to the sacrifice and work of our nation's veterans.

Mark Ritchie deserves our support to re-elect him Nov. 2.

Dale Speer

The Secretary of State Project has endorsed Mark Ritchie for Minnesota Secretary of State. Here's what they have to say about Ritchie:

Mark Ritchie is a true progressive champion. In 2006, the long-time community organizer defeated Republican incumbent Mary Kiffmeyer to take the reins of the election process in Minnesota. Since taking office, Secretary Ritchie has campaigned tirelessly for instituting universal or automatic registration in his state. He has also been instrumental in the fight to expand Election Day Registration in other states, including a successful campaign in Iowa. Secretary Ritchie is perhaps best known for running a scrupulously fair and transparent election recount in the Franken/Coleman 2008 Senate race. Senator Al Franken was certified as the winner of that race by a mere 312 votes.

Mark Ritchie has also been endorsed by AFSCME Council 5, Minnesota AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, IBEW Minnesota State Council, Minnesota Farmers Union PAC, SEIU Minnesota State Council, and Teamsters Joint Council 32.

Mark Ritchie was named Most Valuable State Official by The Nation:

When this veteran activist ran for Minnesota Secretary of State, he argued that putting honest players in charge of counting votes was necessary to restore credibility to an electoral process that had been battered by Republican gaming of the 2000 presidential vote in Florida and the 2004 vote in Ohio. Ritchie won and two years later found himself managing the recount of one of the closest and most bitter Senate contests in American history. Attacked by right-wing media and faced with massive spending by national Republicans who did not want Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee Al Franken seated in a Senate where he would provide a critical sixtieth vote, Ritchie kept his cool. He ran a clean recount, emphasizing transparency and accountability, and delivered a credible result that survived legal challenges and gave the seat to the candidate who actually won the most vote

Let's help Ritchie continue his excellent work keeping Minnesota's elections fair and accurate. Volunteer for Mark Ritchie's campaign.


Tarryl Clark for Congress (MN-6):



Tarryl Clark is running against right wing extremist Michelle Bachmann. Michelle Bachmann is one of the craziest members of Congress and an avowed Teabagger, while Tarryl Clark is a smart, progressive State Senator who would be an excellent addition to Congress.

Tarryl Clark has led the fight to stop unfair insurance practices against American Veterans. In return for her support for Veterans, Tarryl Clark has been endorsed by Veterans and Military Families for Progress (a national organization dedicated to protecting the rights and needs of veterans, active-duty service members and their families).

Tarryl Clark has also been endorsed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association:

The MPPOA release said the group represents 8,500 police officers throughout the state:

"[Clark] is dedicated to working with and advocating for Minnesota's law enforcement officers in Congress, just as she has in the state Senate," Executive Director Dennis Flaherty said...

Clark's brother-in-law is a veteran Arizona police officer with SWAT experience, the release said.

While Clark supports our troops and our cops, Michelle Bachmann has been one of the number one defenders of BP:



You can find out more about Bachmann's craziness (often in her own words on video) from: Michelle Bachman Said What???

Here is Tarryl Clark explaining her reasons for running:



Michelle Bachmanm: crazy right wing teabagger. Tarryl Clark: supports our troops, supports our cops, and supports responsible government. I think the choice is clear. You can find out more about Tarryl Clark from her website.


Rena Moran for MN State Representative 65A

If elected in November, will be the only woman of color in the Minnesota House of Representatives. A social worker who specializes in child protection, Rena will bring an important voice to the State Legislature.
Donate to Rena Moran



Rita Moran has been endorsed by: Saint Paul Federation of Teachers, The Minnesota Sierra Club, Minnesota Women's Political Caucus, Progressive Majority, Education Minnesota and others. Find out more from Rena Moran's website.