Category: State Issues

DFL Chairman statement on Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan receiving the endorsement for Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement today congratulating Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan on the State Central Committee’s endorsement for Governor and Lieutenant Governor following their primary win:

“The Minnesota DFL Party congratulates Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan on their endorsement following their primary win on Tuesday. As a teacher, veteran and football coach, Tim Walz has dedicated his life to service and fighting for Minnesota families. Peggy Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and suburban legislator, working to improve the lives of children across the state.

“Together, Tim and Peggy will build a state where everyone has an opportunity to succeed. They believe in One Minnesota where Minnesotans in every corner of our state share in prosperity – but only do it if we come together to get things done. Continue reading “DFL Chairman statement on Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan receiving the endorsement for Governor and Lieutenant Governor”

Capitol View Jeff Johnson: I want Trump’s backing

NOTE:  This is an older article, but now that the November ballot has been finalized, we thought it made sense to post the position of the Republican candidate for Minnesota Governor, Jeff Johnson.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson (left) celebrates his party endorsement with running mate Donna Bergstrom (right) Credit: Derek Montgomery, MPR News

The following article by Brian Bakst was posted on the MPR News website June 12, 2018:

Jeff Johnson, the endorsed Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, said Tuesday he’ll head to Duluth next week to be on hand for President Donald Trump’s visit.

The Hennepin County commissioner said he doesn’t yet know if he’ll have a formal role in the presidential campaign rally. Trump is coming to promote congressional candidate Pete Stauber in the 8th District.

But Johnson said he hopes Trump takes a stand in the governor’s race, too, as the president has in some other states with contested GOP primaries.

View the complete article here.

Dayton, Walz, Murphy Present Unified Leadership to Minnesotans

DFLers hold press conference to discuss unified leadership in One Minnesota

State Rep. Erin Murphy, Gov. Mark Dayton, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, State Rep. Peggy Flanagan, DFL Chair Ken Martin

Gov. Mark Dayton, Tim Walz, the DFL nominee for Governor, Erin Murphy, the DFL-endorsed candidate for Governor, and DFL Chairman Ken Martin held a press conference to discuss unified leadership in “One Minnesota.” Walz lauded Dayton and Murphy’s leadership, and Murphy and Dayton gave Walz high marks for his vision for One Minnesota.

“I congratulate Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan on their victory in the primary and I am happy to endorse them to be the next Governor and Lt. Governor of Minnesota,” Gov. Dayton said. “Their vision for ‘One Minnesota’ is a needed call for unity that will bring Minnesotans together to solve the challenges we will face in the future. In the weeks to come, I will do whatever I can to support Tim and Peggy as they build a statewide coalition to win this November.” Continue reading “Dayton, Walz, Murphy Present Unified Leadership to Minnesotans”

About Last Night

Last night we saw historic primary victories from Democratic women.

With her nomination last night, Democratic nominee Jahana Hayes is set to become the first-ever African American woman to represent Connecticut in Congress. Hayes, recipient of the 2016 National Teacher of the Year Award, is a lifelong Connecticut resident. A former social studies teacher at John F. Kennedy High School, she currently serves as the Talent and Professional Development Supervisor for Waterbury Public Schools.

Democrat Christine Hallquist’s victory in Vermont is an inspiration to the entire LGBTQ community. If elected, Hallquist will become the first openly transgender governor, and the highest-ranking transgender elected official in the nation. Hallquist’s path to victory is clear: Vermonters support increasing the minimum wage, believe that health care is a human right, believe in public schools, and want to be on the right side of history. Vermonters are ready for a governor who leads and who believes that everyone deserves the right to a brighter future.

As a former school teacher, veteran, and current Congressman Tim Walz won the nomination for Minnesota governor because he has a proven track record of getting results for Minnesota. Continue reading “About Last Night”

DFL Chairman Ken Martin statement on Trump tweet on supporting Johnson

MN GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson and running mate Donna Bergstrom Credit: Derek Montgomery, MPR News

“Fresh off Jeff Johnson’s primary victory, President Donald Trump was tweeting out his full support for the GOP nominee. You can tell a lot about a person by who they stand with and Johnson continues to stand with Donald Trump.

“The writing is on the wall for Minnesotans: If elected, Johnson will promote Trump’s anti-immigrant, anti-farmer and anti-worker agenda. Since his election, Trump has worked to take health care away from those who need it most; provide billions of dollars of tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy; and make it harder for families to get ahead and stay ahead.

“As our next governor, Tim Walz will build One Minnesota where no matter where people live, or where they come from, they will have the opportunity to build a brighter future for their families.

“Minnesotans want to move forward, not accept the hateful Trump rhetoric that divides our state and nation.”

DFL Chairman Ken Martin statement on Walz-Flanagan primary win

“The Minnesota DFL Party congratulates Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan on their hard-fought primary victory this evening. Tim and Peggy have spent years fighting on behalf of Minnesota families and I have no doubt that they will build one Minnesota that works for everyone. Their positive vision for Minnesota’s future clearly resonated with Minnesota voters and I am excited to work alongside them and the rest of our ticket as we bring that message to the general electorate over the next 83 days.”

DFL Chairman statement on Jeff Johnson winning the GOP Gubernatorial Primary

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin today released the following statement on Jeff Johnson winning the GOP Gubernatorial Primary:

“Jeff Johnson’s values are far to the right of Minnesota. While voters seek a uniter and a leader in the Governor’s Office, Johnson’s campaign has opted to demonize minorities and the poor. His transformation from mild-mannered Hennepin County Commissioner who was afraid to tout his Tea Party endorsement in 2014, to bile-filled Trump clone, has been startling to watch.

“The self-proclaimed ‘Scott Walker of Minnesota’ is exactly what Minnesota doesn’t need at this time and the only thing that failed worse than his last gubernatorial run, is the economic ideas that he proudly supports. Unequivocally, Jeff Johnson and his far right agenda are losers for Minnesota.”

WCCO’s Pat Kessler’s Reality Check of Erik Paulsen’s Boundary Waters Ad

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A television campaign ad featuring Minnesota 3rd District Congressman Erik Paulsen highlights his work to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The ad also serves to put distance between the Republican Congressman and President Donald Trump.

The Congressman is featured enjoying the outdoors with his family in the ad.

View the complete article here.

No Longer Gun Shy

The following article by Susan Milligan was posted on the U.S. News and World Report website July 27, 2018:

Young voters concerned about gun deaths are registering to vote in record numbers.

Credit: Matt McClain, the Washington Post via Getty Images

CANDIDATES USED TO BE able to rely on two axioms: young people don’t vote, and gun control is not a winning issue for Democrats in competitive races. But a surge of political activism among youth – combined with student demands for more gun safety laws – has thrown both presumptions out the window.

In Colorado – a state which five years ago ousted two state senators in a recall election after they pushed through gun control legislation – GOP congressional incumbent Mike Coffman, who has an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association, is under political fire for his pro-gun stance. The district, long considered safely red, is now a toss-up race, according to leading nonpartisan political forecasters. Democrat Jason Crow, who made guns the first issue ad of his campaign, could become the first Democrat ever to represent the district, which was created in 1983.

In Florida, a pro-gun rights GOP House incumbent, also with an “A” NRA rating, is facing a tough re-election campaign against a Democratic primary candidate who appeared at a gun control rally with former Rep. Gabby Giffords, whose congressional career was ended after she was shot in the head while meeting with constituents in 2011. Instead of blasting Democrat David Shapiro for calling for gun control in a state named the 12th most gun owner-friendly in the nation last year by Guns & Ammo magazine, Republican Vern Buchanan is running an ad criticizing Shapiro for making personal financial investments in guns and ammunition companies.

View the complete article here.

House to Codify Guidelines for Virtual Town Halls

The following article by Katherine Tully-McManus was posted on the Roll Call website July 25, 2018:

Measure would provide spending guidance on joint events

Members wishing to conduct joint virtual town halls will get some guidance from legislation set for approval by the House Administration Committee. (Douglas Credit: Graham, CQ Roll Call file photo

New rules are coming to the House for members hosting virtual town hall meetings with constituents back in their districts.

The House Administration Committee takes up a resolution Wednesday that will codify regulations for lawmakers teaming up to do joint town hall meetingson the internet.

The resolution will make changes to the Members’ Congressional Handbook, which lays out the rules and regulations for what House members can spend money on and what they can’t. For joint virtual town halls, the proposed change details how expenses should be split.

View the complete article here.