Hundreds of St. Paul residents recently packed into a warm middle school auditorium and spent 10 tedious hours trying to agree on which DFL mayoral candidate to rally around.
The outcome was predictable: They picked no one.
As Minneapolis DFLers prepare for their convention Saturday, many anticipate the same result — and are contemplating whether the process needs to change.
Mayoral hopefuls in the DFL-dominated cities still want that stamp of approval. Many Minneapolis candidates plan to step down if someone else gets the endorsement, which typically results in the endorsee getting more money, volunteers and votes. But candidates and campaign staff said conventions should be more inclusive and efficient. Some residents are even asking: With ranked-choice voting, should caucuses and conventions continue?
“We need to have a conversation about whether it makes sense to continue to have an endorsing process in Minneapolis. I think there’s an intense criticism of it, and I think it’s a fair question to ask,” Minneapolis DFL Party Chair Dan McConnell said.
Nonetheless, the convention remains an important first test for campaigns, he said. It shows whether candidates can organize support and whose message resonates with voters.
On Saturday, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges will be vying for the DFL endorsement against seven other candidates, including state Rep.… Continue reading »
St. Paul (June 15, 2017)—TakeAction Minnesota announced its endorsement of Dai Thao in the race to replace outgoing St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Dai Thao was screened along with five other candidates by TakeAction Minnesota’s membership at a candidate forum on Tuesday.
TakeAction Minnesota executive director Dan McGrath highlighted Dai Thao’s long track record of fighting for justice and making progress. “St. Paul needs a leader with the skills, determination and vision to make our city equitable and prosperous. That leader is Dai Thao. Whether in the community or on the City Council, Dai has a track record of fighting for progressive values and winning. He led the fight for greater civilian oversight of our police – and achieved it. He was a champion for St. Paul’s earned sick and safe time ordinance – and it passed. Dai listens, organizes, and acts – that’s the kind of mayor we need to lead St. Paul powerfully in its next chapter.”
TakeAction Minnesota will be working to support Dai Thao in securing the DFL endorsement at the Party’s convention on June 17. TakeAction members will host a Minneapolis mayoral forum next week.
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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, multi-racial people’s organization. We advance democracy and equity through organizing, political action, and policy campaigns.… Continue reading »
St. Paul mayoral candidates assured residents Tuesday that they would raise the minimum wage, fight poverty and address climate change.
Many social justice advocates attended the final forum before Saturday’s DFL nominating convention. The event was hosted by local organizations the St. Paul Federation of Teachers, TakeAction, the Service Employees International Union and ISAIAH.
The attendees quizzed candidates on social issues, such as how they would protect immigrants.
“We can’t be the type of place that targets our own neighbors and our own residents. And we also have to be a place that’s about creating opportunity,” said Melvin Carter, a former council member who directs Gov. Mark Dayton’s Minnesota Children’s Cabinet.
Carter secured the most delegates during ward conventions in April. But he has far less than the 60 percent of delegates needed to win the endorsement.
Council Member Dai Thao came away with the second-most delegates, slightly more than former Council Member Pat Harris.
About a quarter of the delegates did not commit to a candidate at the seven ward conventions.
Thao’s campaign was disrupted in the middle of the ward conventions by allegations he attempted to solicit a bribe from a lobbyist and her clients. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is still investigating the allegations, and Thao continues to run.… Continue reading »
“Republican lawmakers passed preemption as part of a shameless package that pits workers against workers. We have seen moves like this in Wisconsin, where state law strips collective bargaining rights, and stops cities from raising wages.
Workers are making progress in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth – catching up to an economy that has otherwise left them behind. It’s clear that big business is trying everything to block higher wages and paid sick time in Minnesota.
The Legislature has a choice to work for our democracy or industry. In a chaotic special session, the GOP pushed through countless provisions that blatantly prioritize narrow corporate interests.
Health care for low-income Minnesotans is on the chopping block. Health insurance companies walked away with $900 million in subsidies and tax breaks. The $1.6 billion budget surplus is going toward tax breaks for businesses and wealthy Minnesotans, with the estate tax repeal.
The rights of local citizens to raise environmental standards are being stripped away, with the ban on plastic bag regulations. And the GOP continues to shut out our families and neighbors by denying drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants.
Our government should be for the people. Lawmakers have until June 30 to try again, and take preemption off the table.… Continue reading »
We believe we can make meaning of this political time by resisting and building like never before. In the final week of session, the actions and strategies we use are setting the foundation for future progress: having the power to set the agenda.
Join TakeAction members at the State Capitol on May 20th at 12 p.m. We will meet at Room G20A, located on Ground Floor of the Capitol Building, east corridor.
It’s critical we make our voices heard to our legislators and show that we are a forced to be reckoned. Show up to resist the many dangerous bills that will harm our communities, like preemption, or bills that cut millions from public health care programs, bills that will pollute the air we breath and water we drink, and others. Show up to believe that we can, and must, continue to fight for a Minnesota where all of us can thrive, no matter who’s the majority at the legislature or who’s our President.
Justice 4 All is gearing up for a busy summer! The truths and ideas of J4A members is vital to building the power we need to advance things like our Fair Hiring Campaign and local elections that seat not only new leadership at the table, but also our voices and shared values. Join us at the Next J4A Member Meeting to connect with community and continue to redifine our liberation.
The Capitol is “The People’s House,” but it doesn’t always feel that way. Our legislators are our neighbors, but we don’t always treat them that way. Come learn how to have a powerful, productive meeting with your legislator that solidifies relationships between activists and sets the stage for a powerful relationship with elected officials in the future.
Are you interested in understanding more about the endorsing conventions process? How are we powerfully influencing the process, infiltrating party systems, making our voices heard, deciding who is on the ballot?
It can be frustrating to get fired up, sign up to be involved, and not feel rooted in why you are taking action. Whether you will be a delegate in 2017, 2018, or don’t even know what that word means – come join us on the 17th to learn more. We will leave you feeling armed with facts, and understanding how to change your city, your state, your government, for the better.… Continue reading »
The goal of TakeAction Minnesota’s political program is to build the political power required to advance a bold agenda shared by our individual and organizational members and grounded in our progressive vision for Minnesota.
We see issues, elections, and community organizing as three legs of the same stool. We recognize we are most powerful when we work in coalition with others. We reject the false choice between winning elections or standing up for what we believe. We can and do pursue both of these objectives simultaneously. For us, political power is not a separate silo, but rather an integrated part of all of our work.
✓ Will this candidate be a bold leader on our progressive vision for Minnesota? Does their life experience illustrate bold leadership on our vision?
✓ Does this candidate have a plan to build power by organizing people and organizing money?
✓ Is this candidate willing to co-govern with the progressive movement to implement our shared vision?
✓ Would you (a TakeAction Minnesota leader) be excited about supporting this candidate with your time and money?… Continue reading »
Justice 4 All is off to a great start this year, because of folks joining our fight to resist attacks on our freedom and liberation, and because we are building an amazing fair hiring campaign together. We need you here with us to get stronger, continue to have important conversations, and be in powerful community.
Learn how to make the caucus and convention process work for you – to decide who we get on the ballot – and how to become a delegate so you are participating in every step of this sometimes confusing process.
After Monday night, you will be united with your neighbors and feel well versed on everything you need to do on your caucus night.
You can be a part of influencing the legislation that affects persons with criminal records by joining Justice 4 All to visit MN State Representatives and letting them know how you and these folks are affected by unfair laws. You will be able to share compelling stories of persons with criminal records doing what they need to do to live positive and productive lives.
On this day, we will continue to focus on our opposition to the reopening of the private prison in Appleton, MN.
You can be a part of influencing the legislation that affects persons with criminal records by joining Justice 4 All to visit MN State Representatives and letting them know how you and these folks are affected by unfair laws. You will be able to share compelling stories of persons with criminal records doing what they need to do to live positive and productive lives.
You can be a part of influencing the legislation that affects persons with criminal records by joining Justice 4 All to visit MN State Representatives and letting them know how you and these folks are affected by unfair laws. You will be able to share compelling stories of persons with criminal records doing what they need to do to live positive and productive lives.
On this day, March 9th, 2017, we’ll voice our support for the bill, House File 0951, that would restore voting rights for 60,000 Minnesotans on probation or parole.
Minneapolis City Councilmember Lisa Bender is proud to host the first mayoral candidate forum of the election season on Wednesday, March 8 at Calvary Church, located at 2608 Blaisdell Ave, Minneapolis and moderated by Tane Danger of the Theatre of Public Policy
Councilmember Bender will welcome candidates Mayor Betsy Hodges, City Councilmember Jacob Frey, Representative Ray Dehn, Nekima Levy-Pounds, Tom Hoch, and Aswar Rahman.
This will be a chance for mayoral candidates to share their vision for Minneapolis’ future and delve into proposed policies and strategies for accomplishing that vision. Our moderator will lead a discussion amongst the candidates as well as a Q&A session with audience members.
Join Justice 4 All every Tuesday in March, where we’ll discuss our liberation, how to win and end the cycle of laws trying to oppress our communities, and weave it all into powerful conversations we’ll be having on the phones!
We’ll call statewide to talk about issues we care about, and give strength to bills we want to see become a reality, like the restoration of voting rights for 60,000 formerly incarcerated and convicted Minnesotans. We’ll also call to fight back! We’ll resist harmful bills like one that aims to criminalize pregnant women battling addiction.
Join Justice 4 All every Tuesday in March, where we’ll discuss our liberation, how to win and end the cycle of laws trying to oppress our communities, and weave it all into powerful conversations we’ll be having on the phones!
We’ll call statewide to talk about issues we care about, and give strength to bills we want to see become a reality, like the restoration of voting rights for 60,000 formerly incarcerated and convicted Minnesotans. We’ll also call to fight back! We’ll resist harmful bills like one that aims to criminalize pregnant women battling addiction.
Join Justice 4 All every Tuesday in March, where we’ll discuss our liberation, how to win and end the cycle of laws trying to oppress our communities, and weave it all into powerful conversations we’ll be having on the phones!
We’ll call statewide to talk about issues we care about, and give strength to bills we want to see become a reality, like the restoration of voting rights for 60,000 formerly incarcerated and convicted Minnesotans. We’ll also call to fight back! We’ll resist harmful bills like one that aims to criminalize pregnant women battling addiction.
Join Justice 4 All every Tuesday in March, where we’ll discuss our liberation, how to win and end the cycle of laws trying to oppress our communities, and weave it all into powerful conversations we’ll be having on the phones!
We’ll call statewide to talk about issues we care about, and give strength to bills we want to see become a reality, like the restoration of voting rights for 60,000 formerly incarcerated and convicted Minnesotans. We’ll also call to fight back! We’ll resist harmful bills like one that aims to criminalize pregnant women battling addiction.
Join us as we let folks know about our Annual Meeting on March 18th – an opportunity to meet and connect, get trained, dig into political education, and plug into local work. We’ll call TakeAction members across the state to invite them to join us at the event.
Join us as we let folks know about our Annual Meeting on March 18th – an opportunity to meet and connect, get trained, dig into political education, and plug into local work. We’ll call TakeAction members across the state to invite them to join us at the event.
Join us as we let folks know about our Annual Meeting on March 18th – an opportunity to meet and connect, get trained, dig into political education, and plug into local work. We’ll call TakeAction members across the state to invite them to join us at the event.
