Category: DFL

DFL Party Calls on Representative John Thompson to Resign Immediately

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota DFL Party is calling on Representative John Thompson to resign after recent reporting revealed numerous allegations of domestic violence against Thompson.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement: 

“Numerous allegations against Representative John Thompson have recently come to light that show an incredibly disturbing pattern of violent and abusive behavior. The reports that Thompson physically assaulted multiple women, often in the presence of children, are absolutely sickening. Physical and sexual violence are anathema to everything we stand for as DFLers and as Minnesotans, and nobody credibly accused of such heinous acts has any place in elected office. I am calling on Representative Thompson to resign from office effective immediately.”

DFL Party Statement On Governor Walz’s Executive Action On Conversion Therapy

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, following Governor Walz’s executive action on conversion therapy, the practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity through bullying and intimidation, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement:

“Conversion therapy is not backed by science and can cause life-long trauma for those forced to endure it. I applaud Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on this step today to stop this barbaric practice. 

“Last year when the Governor and DFL leaders in the legislature tried to ban conversion therapy, Senate Republicans led by Senator Paul Gazelka blocked it. It is shameful that we have Republicans like Paul Gazelka and Scott Jensen who are not only on the wrong side of history on this issue, but who are actively contributing to a toxic environment that tells LGBTQ+ youth that they shouldn’t love and accept themselves for who they are. This is a great step for Minnesota and we must re-elect Governor Walz in order to move the state forward, not backward.”

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DFL Debrief: Budgets Aren’t Actually Boring! ft. Majority Leader Ryan Winkler

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On this week’s episode of the DFL Debrief Podcast, we sat down with DFL House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler to discuss all things budget! DFLers managed to secure some big wins in this year’s budget despite intense opposition from Minnesota Republicans. Listen to the podcast here.

DFL Party Statement on Representative Thompson’s Recent Actions

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Yesterdayday, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement: 

“Nobody is above the law, including our elected officials. We expect all of our elected officials, regardless of party, to not only follow the law, but to hold themselves to the highest standards. Whether they like it or not, their words, actions, and behavior are going to be scrutinized by the public. As such it is important for people in positions of power and influence to model the type of behavior we expect from everyone. Representative John Thompson fell short of that standard, and I am disappointed by his recent actions.”

DFL Party Hires New Finance Director

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota DFL Party is pleased to announce the hiring of Nora Ptacek to serve as the party’s next Finance Director. Ptacek will be taking over for the DFL Party’s current Finance Director, Tyler Blackmon, who will be leaving the party to attend law school at the end of the month.

Ptacek currently serves as the DFL Party’s Deputy Finance Director and has a deep familiarity with Minnesota’s political landscape and the DFL Party specifically as a result. Her political experience also includes time on Secretary Clinton’s Campaign in 2016, Senator Baldwin’s campaign in 2018, Senator Tina Smith’s state office, and independent political research at the University of Minnesota. Ptacek is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement: 

“During my tenure at the DFL Party, we have built a reputation as the strongest fundraiser in Minnesota politics, and I have every confidence that will continue with the incredibly talented Nora Ptacek at the helm of our finance department. When she served as the DFL Party’s Deputy Finance Director, Nora played a big role in the fundraising success the party enjoyed during this last election cycle. I know that Nora will continue to accomplish great things as the DFL Party’s Finance Director and I look forward to another cycle of the DFL Party as a strong, well-funded organization.”

DFL Party Statement on President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, President Biden announced that he reached a deal with a bipartisan group of Senators on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal that will be the largest long-term investment in American infrastructure in almost a century.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement in response: 

“The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal President Biden just negotiated is a tremendous accomplishment that will deliver tangible results for the American people. This historic deal will make lives better for millions by creating good-paying jobs, connecting every home to high-speed internet, removing our nation’s lead service lines, repairing countless roads and bridges and so much more. The deal also makes significant investments in clean, green technology that will help make the United States a global leader in tackling the climate crisis.

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DFL Party Statement on the Passing of Former State Senator Bev Scalze

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement on the death of former State Senator Bev Scalze:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of Bev Scalze and my heart goes out to her loved ones. Bev was a close friend and I greatly admired her steadfast commitment to public service. From the city council all the way to the state senate, Bev Scalze spent decades working to improve the lives of her fellow Minnesotans. 

“The Legacy Amendment that Bev co-authored has invested tremendous resources in preserving Minnesota’s pristine natural environment, clean drinking water, and rich cultural heritage for future generations. She also played a key role in writing and passing numerous bonding bills, whose investments created shared prosperity, growth, and good jobs in communities throughout our state.

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New DFL Debrief: A Candid Conversation About Racial Disparities in Minnesota

DFL Debrief

On this week’s episode of the DFL Debrief Podcast, we sat down with former State Senator Jeff Hayden to discuss the legacy of slavery and Juneteenth, the deep racial disparities in Minnesota, and how the two are interconnected.

Listen here.

DFL Party Statement on Juneteenth

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA  – DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement in commemoration of Juneteenth: 

“On this day, June 19th, 1865, some of the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free. Juneteenth was the end of the beginning of one of the most important undertakings in our nation’s history: the ongoing work of granting full equality and dignity to African Americans. 

“Working to achieve that equality is especially important here in Minnesota, where we have some of the worst racial disparities in the nation that stand as an unacceptable obstacle to so many Black Minnesotans. We cannot tolerate the current Tale of Two Minnesotas that has our state as one of the best in the nation if you are white and one of the worst if you are Black.”

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