TakeAction, progressive groups mimic conservatives, build infrastructure
When Sen. Paul Wellstone died 17 years ago this month, many of the up-and-coming progressive politicos coming into the arena were in elementary school.
But he’d probably admire what they’re up to.
After the 2016 election, progressive groups such as TakeAction, Faith in Minnesota and more familiar labor and environmental groups set up a training academy for activists and potential candidates called “Movement Political Leadership Program.”
This year they’ve trained 25 activists, including state Rep. Hunter Cantrell, DFL-Savage, and Chauntyll Allen, a candidate for the St. Paul school board.
What’s different is that they’re focused as much on governance as they are on winning elections, according to a memo from TakeAction spokeswoman Kenza Hadj-Moussa.
“This is not about winning elections. It’s about winning the day,” she said.
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