Category: DFL
Democrats to delay convention until August
The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee will be delayed for a month because of the coronavirus pandemic, the host committee announced on Thursday.
The Democratic nominating convention will now take place over four days beginning on Aug. 17 after originally being scheduled to take place July 13-16. The Hill was first to report on the change.
A source close to Joe Biden’s campaign told The Hill that the former vice president pushed to have the convention moved, while keeping the same format. Continue reading.
Minnesota DFL Party Cancels Local Conventions, Moves to Online Ballots
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Last night, an emergency meeting of the Minnesota DFL Party Executive Committee made the decision to cancel all local conventions and proceed with the endorsement and resolutions process via an online balloting system. This decision was made to ensure all DFL Party events are in compliance with advice from public health officials to cease small group gatherings.
No decision has yet been made regarding the Minnesota DFL state convention.
“Last night, the Minnesota DFL Party’s State Executive Committee made the decision to cancel all local conventions and instead use an online balloting system to decide party endorsements and resolutions,” said DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin. “This process preserves the power of grassroots activists to decide who our party supports and what our party stands for while also protecting the health and well-being of Minnesotans everywhere.” Continue reading “Minnesota DFL Party Cancels Local Conventions, Moves to Online Ballots”
DFL Statement on Minnesota’s Precinct Caucuses
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – With Minnesota’s 2020 precinct caucuses less than one week away, DFL Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement on the importance of attending this year’s caucuses:
“Minnesota’s precinct caucuses, the kickoff to campaign season, are less than one week away and DFLers are fired up and ready to get organized. Our caucuses are this year’s first major step on the path to defeating Donald Trump, flipping the Minnesota Senate, and defending the tremendous gains our party made in 2018.
“At our caucuses, DFLers will get connected to their local organizing unit and learn how to help elect leaders that share our values of health care for all, strong public schools, and an economy that works for every Minnesotan. Since caucuses happen at the local level, they are a tremendous opportunity for Minnesotans to get to know like-minded neighbors, make new friends, and build deeper connections with their communities.
“Precinct caucuses also offer DFLers the chance to have an impact on the future of the party. The DFL’s grassroots endorsement process begins at our caucuses, where attendees can run to be a delegate to future party conventions where they will be able to vote on who the DFL endorses. DFLers also will be able to introduce and vote on resolutions to the DFL platform and shape what our party stands for and fights for.
“If you’re dismayed by what’s happening across our country and believe we can do better, then join our movement for a better future by attending your local DFL precinct caucus on February 25th at 7:00 PM.”
Minnesotans can find their DFL caucus locations at caucus.dfl.org.
Click here to read the DFL’s memo on what caucuses entail.
Becoming a Delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention
Yes. All candidates for National Delegate must declare a single presidential preference (or uncommitted status). Presidential campaigns may use their right to refuse individual candidates. Delegates are allocated according to the results of the Presidential Primary held on March 3, 2020 (early voting begins January 17, 2020). Each DFL Congressional District (CD) Convention elects a predetermined number of National Delegates.
To find your CD, use our caucus finder and enter your home address.
At-large delegates and alternates, as well as Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs) are elected at the DFL State Convention. The number of Delegates allotted to each presidential candidate will be published here once the Primary results are known.
Who actually elects National Delegates?
At each CD convention and the DFL State Convention, CD/State Delegates who share the same presidential preference will elect candidates from their group to be National Delegates in Milwaukee: supporters of “Candidate A” will elect “Candidate A” National Delegates, supporters of “Candidate B” will elect “Candidate B” National Delegates, and so on.
Who can run as a Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegate?
The Minnesota DFL Party defines PLEOs as anyone who holds a public elected office in Minnesota, a DFL party office or is actively involved in DFL activities at any level.
How do I run for National Delegate?
AT YOUR CD CONVENTION: You must deliver a completed 2020 Statement of Candidacy form to the convention chair, no later than two hours before the election of National Delegates begins, at the CD convention where you intend to be a candidate
AT THE STATE CONVENTION: you can send the 2020 Statement of Candidacy form by email to chair@DFL.org, fax to 651.251.6325, or mail to the Minnesota DFL, 255 E. Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107, to arrive before May 27, 2020 – or, at the State Convention, deliver the form to the State DFL Chair no later than two hours before the election of National Delegates begins on Sunday, May 31.
CAMPAIGN IDEAS: Introduce yourself to the CD/State Delegates, before and during the convention, so you can build support for your election. Be prepared to give a one-minute speech about why they should elect you to be a National Delegate. You might share what you have done to help the DFL Party or your particular candidate leading up to the nominating process. Send postcards to CD/State Delegates in advance or create a flyer to hand out at the convention. This can help you stand out in the crowd when they are deciding who to support.
The DFL State Convention will be held May 30-31, 2020, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota. Election of National Delegates will occur on Sunday, May 31.
[CLICK HERE] to watch the new Minnesota DFL video highlighting Minnesota DNC delegations of our past! Please like and share to your networks and help spread the word.
DFL Smashes All Previous Off-Year Fundraising Records
DFL enters 2020 stronger and more organized than ever
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party announced it raised more money in 2019 than any previous off-year in DFL history. In 2019, the Minnesota DFL raised over $8.1 million and entered 2020 with over $650,000 cash on hand. The DFL’s 2019 fundraising total is double the party’s last off-year fundraising record – $4.1 million raised during 2017.
“Our record-breaking fundraising is proof that DFLers are fired up and ready to win races up and down the ballot in November,” said DFL Chairman Ken Martin. “The unprecedented grassroots support our party received from DFLers in every single county in Minnesota has ensured the DFL has the resources to take on the Trump campaign, take back the State Senate, and defend the incredible gains we made in 2018. Our party is entering 2020 with a terrific slate of candidates, a great team of organizers, and tons of supporters across Minnesota that are ready to get to work electing DFLers.”
What’s in the numbers:
- The DFL received contributions from every single county in Minnesota
- Over 93% of the DFL’s contributions were $100 or less
- Over 90% of the DFL’s contributions were from Minnesota, but the DFL also received contributions from 49 states – thanks for nothing West Virginia
- The DFL doubled the party’s previous off-year fundraising record
- The DFL entered 2020 with more cash on hand than any previous off-year
The Minnesota DFL’s 2019 fundraising totals:
- Money raised: $8,130,468.17
- Money spent: $7,797,277.81
- Money carried forward from 2018: $317,464.78
- Debt (obligations carried over from 2019): $79,306.57
Happy Holiday
DFL Statement on the Impeachment of President Donald Trump
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the United States House of Representatives voted to approve articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Ken Martin, Chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party released the following statement in response:
“The impeachment of any sitting president is a deeply tragic event for our nation. However, through his own actions, President Donald Trump left the House of Representatives with no possible alternative.
“Donald Trump violated his oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States when he withheld military aid from an ally to force their government into interfering in a United States election by attacking one of the President’s political rivals.
“If any president is allowed to wield the power of the United States government to secure his own re-election, our nation will have taken its first major steps away from democracy and towards autocracy. It is imperative that we hold Donald Trump accountable for his brazenly unconstitutional and undemocratic actions, lest we risk normalizing such behavior.
“I applaud the United States House of Representatives for taking decisive action to stand up for the rule of law and defend our Constitution. The impeachment of President Trump brings me no joy, but it was necessary to ensure we remain a democracy where nobody is above the law.”