Category: Dean Phillips

Erik Paulsen wants your vote, but refuses to debate for it

The following article by Hanna Jones was posted on the CityPages website August 16, 2018:

The League of Women Voters takes its candidate forums seriously, hoping to make sure voters are as informed as possible. Nothing cuts through the hype and noise like having all sides in the same room, answering questions with no filter.


Erik Paulsen has a growing history of avoiding his constituents at all costs. Credit: StarTribune

“Forums are one of the few ways to get a true response out of candidates,” Executive Director Michelle Witte says.

Only one thing tends to throw a wrench in the gears: candidates who want no part of a forum they can’t control. The League has sent out several invitations to Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen. He hasn’t responded.

“I’m pretty sure it’s a ‘no,’” Witte says.

View the complete article here.

Dean Phillips Invites Erik Paulsen to Participate in Public Voter Forums

Pressure mounts for Paulsen to appear as Phillips announces a series of free public forums

Dean Phillips at 2018 Candidate Forum

Excelsior, MN – Today Dean Phillips once again invited Congressman Erik Paulsen to join him at a series of public voter forums where people in Minnesota’s Third District would have the chance to hear from and ask questions of the candidates at a free and accessible event. An invitation to attend the first event in the series, held on Monday in Coon Rapids, was ignored by the Paulsen campaign.  

“Third District voters deserve to be heard by candidates seeking to represent them, not just through television ads, but side-by-side at open and public forums in their community,” said Dean Phillips. “I believe representation begins with listening, and I hope Congressman Paulsen will afford voters the chance to be heard.”

Several additional voter forums are planned in the coming weeks, including August 21st in Eden Prairie, August 27th in Edina, August 31st in Chanhassen, and continuing through Election Day. Continue reading “Dean Phillips Invites Erik Paulsen to Participate in Public Voter Forums”

For Voters Sick of Money in Politics, a New Pitch: No PAC Money Accepted

The following article by Farah Stockman was posted on the New York Times website August 12, 2018:

Dean Phillips, a Democrat running for Congress in Minnesota’s Third District, has foresworn all PAC donations, including those from labor unions and fellow politics. Credit: Jenn Ackerman for The New York Times

EXCELSIOR, Minn. — Like many political candidates, Dean Phillips spends hours each day fund-raising and thanking his donors. But because he refuses to accept PAC money from corporations, unions or other politicians, he has adopted a unique approach.

“Norbert?” he asked on the doorstep of a man who’d donated $25 to his campaign. “I’m here with goodies!”

Mr. Phillips, who is running for Congress in the suburbs of Minneapolis, handed over a gift bag containing a T-shirt and bumper sticker. The exchange was recorded in a video that was shared later with his supporters to encourage them to contribute as well. Norbert Gernes, an 80-year-old retiree, was impressed.

View the complete article here.

Dean Phillips Invites Rep. Erik Paulsen to Public Voter Forum in Coon Rapids

Phillips reinforces his commitment to answering questions from the public at free events

EXCELSIOR, MN – Dean Phillips will participate in a public voter forum on Monday, August 13 in Coon Rapids. Phillips has repeatedly called for open and accessible public forums where voters would have the opportunity to hear from and as questions of both candidates in the neck and neck race for Congress in Minnesota’s third district.

Phillips invited Congressman Erik Paulsen to join him in answering questions from the public at Monday’s free event. Neither Paulsen nor his campaign manager have indicated their intention to participate.

Despite saying “we’ll have other debates,” Congressman Erik Paulsen has yet to commit to any other than the TwinWest Chamber debate, a $60 ticketed event. In addition to Monday’s public forum in Coon Rapids, Phillips has accepted invitations from several organizations, including local chapters of the League of Women Voters, a local church, and local Chambers of Commerce who wish to host additional free public debates between the two candidates.

“Candidates running for public office should participate in open forums at which they take questions from the public, and such forums should be free of charge and accommodate all those who wish to attend,” said Phillips. “My entire campaign is based on the notion that representation begins with listening, and I am eager to do just that. Erik Paulsen should listen to his constituents who are rightly demanding the opportunity to hear from the two of us and share their perspectives with us – without having to pay. We are all awaiting his response.”

In April of 2018, Phillips invited Congressman Paulsen to join him in signing The Minnesota Way pledge, a mutual pact which includes a promise to hold two public events per month – while also committing to no PAC funding or self-financing, and to limiting or eliminating spending by outside groups.

WHAT: Free Public Voter Forum
WHERE: Coon Rapids Civic Center
11155 Robinson Dr NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
WHEN: Monday, August 13, 2018
6:00 pm -8:00 pm

Phillips guided by constituents, not special interest groups

To the editor:

It is exciting to see so much agreement in the community about U.S. House candidate Dean Phillips’ refusal to take any campaign money from special interest groups, including PACs. I have been out door-knocking in our neighborhoods, and it is clear that people are eager for a representative who is guided by his constituents rather than by special interest groups.

The incumbent, Erik Paulsen, takes in more special interest money than almost all other House members. Only 5 out of 435 House members take in more money than he does (bit.ly/2KyphfZ).

What this means is that it is up to us, Dean Phillips’s future constituents, to show him that he was right to take this stand – that he was right to believe that we will donate our time, energy and money so that special interest money is no longer needed to win a race.

Let’s live up to Dean Phillips’ faith in our community and our country. Donate and volunteer at phillipsforcongress.org.

Kathy Christensen, Edina
Edina Sun-Current, August 8, 2018

Phillips is inspiring the next generation

To the editor:

In the past few years, we’ve seen an uptick in activism from our country’s young people.

Like many famous American movements, our nation’s youth are once again leading the way to a better more compassionate America. From immigration to gun violence to women’s rights, you can see these young people marching across the country. This political fervor can be felt in all corners of the country, including in our own community.

Volunteering on the Dean Phillips campaign has been an experience unlike any other campaign I’ve witnessed. There’s a different energy in the air with so many young people helping out. These high school students can be seen marching in parades, helping out at fairs and rallying support, even though many of them aren’t old enough to vote. Seeing this outpouring of political activism from young people gives me hope that the next generation will fight, even harder than we did, to preserve democracy and protect the rights of our most vulnerable citizens.

Carol Bush, Bloomington
Bloomington Sun-Current, August 5, 2018

Dean Phillips’ donations from individuals, not PACs

The Star Tribune reported the other day that the Paulsen-Phillips race is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in the state. As reported, this is largely thanks to the efforts of PACS (political action committees), who have poured millions into the race — over half of Erik Paulsen’s $3.7 million come from PACs. And no wonder they’re giving him so much money.

Congressman Paulsen has shown himself to be a reliable vote for his donors, as indicated by his support for bills that benefit Big Pharma, Big Oil, and the insurance industry.

Unlike with Erik Paulsen, the money funding Dean Phillips comes entirely from individuals. He’s refused every cent from PACs and special interests and takes six times the number of small money donations that Erik Paulsen does. Congressman Paulsen may call this a “gimmick,” but he’s received $2 million from PACs. Giving up that kind of fundraising isn’t a gimmick. It’s conviction — something Erik Paulsen could use a little more of in my opinion.

Heather Kurth Flesland, Maple Grove
Press & News, August 2, 2018

Paulsen mimics Mrs. Trump

To the editor:

Our congressman, Republican Erik Paulsen, had his own “Melania Moment” at the Edina Fourth of July parade.

Melania Trump made headlines a week earlier when she visited immigrant children, presumably to show them that someone cared.

But she wore a fashionable coat that said on the back, “I really don’t care; do U?” Continue reading “Paulsen mimics Mrs. Trump”