In the Know: September 26, 2018

Early Voting for the November Election is Underway
41 days until Election Day

2018 Election
Why are you voting in November?


Not just Russians: Minnesota’s political campaigns are spending a ton on Facebook and Google to influence your vote, too, MinnPost
Video: Everything you need to know about voting early in Minnesota, MPR

2018 Election — U.S. House of Representatives
Records show that Pete Stauber communicated with key GOP group on county email, Star Tribune
Verify: Attacks against Phillips fail truth test, KARE
Threre’s a suburban tsunami driving 2018, KPAX
Republicans state to pull the plug on members, The Hill
In Minnesota Trump country, Democrats trying to hold on – again, Roll Call
CNN House key races: Minnesota is the North Star for midterms, CNN
There’s a $500,000 gender gap when it comes to campaign fundraising, MPR

The gamesmanship between U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen and challenger Dean Phillips continues to impress. Paulsen’s campaign manager John-Paul Yates asked Phillips if they could use his coffee shop to film an ad:

I am writing to request the use of the Linden Hills Penny’s Coffee shop to film a political commercial. Since Penny’s has previously allowed political commercials to be filmed at their shops, we believe that the facilities are equipped to handle such logistics. To the extent that the location requires any additional build out or resources to facilitate the filming we are able and willing to provide that at our own expense without impacting the shop. We are more than willing to pay whatever fee was charged of other political campaigns to shoot at Penny’s Coffee shop.

The subtext here is that Paulsen has continued to hit Phillips for not offering employee health insurance when the shop opened. Phillips called their bluff, responding:

Thank you for your inquiry about using Penny’s coffee shop…Coincidentally, I too am running for Congress, and I operate my campaign the same as Penny’s; by offering accessibility, radical hospitality, a fun environment to which everyone’s invited, livable wages, and a healthcare plan for all full-time employees. We would be happy to host you at Penny’s to film your commercial for Congressman Paulsen free of charge, provided it’s during normal business hours. Please advise me of the date and time you’d like to shoot, and we’ll confirm if it works for our team. I’ll also commit to being onsite to ensure the experience exceeds your expectations.

If Paulsen calls Phillips’ bluff and shows up — what a sight! Star Tribune

2018 Election — Governor


2018 Election — Attorney General
Minnesota Democratic chairman says Ellison probe wrapping up, Star Tribune

2018 Election — Legislature
The Minnesota House DFL announced strong fundraising amounts that continue to outpace 2016’s totals. For the Jan. 1 to Sept. 18 reporting period, the caucus raised $2.81 million, up from $2.46 million in 2016. This comes after House DFLers outraised House Republicans in the previous two reporting periods. The House DFL Caucus also has 42 percent more cash on hand — $1.63 million compared to $1.15 million in 2016. Small dollar contributions are also up 60 percent for the 2018 cycle compared to 2016. House DFL Caucus

Some feedback from Monday’s bit about the MN House being up-for-grabs. Dems point me to GOP TV in 38B, which is currently represented by Rep. Matt Dean, who is leaving the House. This is an exurban seat that I don’t think anyone thought was up for grabs, so GOP spending money for TV there is intriguing. The matchup is Democrat Ami Wazlawik vs. GOP’s Patti Anderson, the former state auditor. GOP counters that they’re playing offense in greater Minnesota, with three open DFL seats — vacated by Clark Johnson, David Bly and Erin Maye Quade; two challenges in the metro, to Rep. Erin Koegel in 37a, which is a Trump district; and Rep. Ellen Pryor; plus they’re going to challenge Reps. Marquart, Ecklund, Sundin in northern Minnesota. That’s eight seats the GOP says could add to their cushion. Star Tribune

The DFL Express will be making it’s way around the state with staff and volunteers knocking for legislative candidates. First stop? John Huot’s district!


Kavanaugh, Brett
A vote to favorable recommend Brett Kavanaugh for a lifetime appoint men to the Supreme Court is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Senate Judiciary Committee, less than a day after senators and counsel are to question the 53-year old appellate court judge, as well as Palo Alto University professor Christine Blasey Ford, about her accusations that the nominee sexually assaulted her in 1982. The Hill

Trump
‘Didn’t expect that reaction,’: Trump gets laughs during UN speech, KARE
On the world stage, Trump goes solo, again, Star Tribune

Upcoming DFL Events

  • September 26
    • 9:00 AM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 10:00 AM
      • CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Open for Volunteers, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 1:30 PM 
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 6:00 PM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
  • September 27
    • 9:00 AM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 10:00 AM
      • CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Open for Volunteers, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 1:30 PM 
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 6:00 PM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
  • September 28
    • 9:00 AM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 10:00 AM
      • CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Open for Volunteers, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 12:00 PM
      • Stand Against Trump, SD40 Treasurer John Schafer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale and Xerxes in Brooklyn Park, join him when you can.
    • 1:30 PM 
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 6:00 PM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
  • September 29
    • 9:00 AM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 10:00 AM
      • CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Open for Volunteers, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 1:30 PM 
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 5:00 PM
      • SD40 DFL Fundraiser, 1512 Woodbine Ln, Brooklyn Center, MN
    • 6:00 PM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
  • September 30
    • 9:00 AM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 10:00 AM
      • CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Open for Volunteers, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 1:30 PM 
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 6:00 PM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
  • October 1
    • 9:00 AM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 10:00 AM
      • CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Open for Volunteers, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 1:30 PM 
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 6:00 PM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
  • October 2
    • 9:00 AM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 10:00 AM
      • CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 10:00 AM
      • CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Open for Volunteers, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
      • CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 1:30 PM 
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
    • 6:00 PM
      • CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.