Category: Doug Wardlow

MyPillow lawyer announces run for Minnesota attorney general

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An attorney known for representing Trump-loving MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has announced that he will run for attorney general in the state of Minnesota.

Axios reports that Republican attorney Doug Wardlow is going to once again run for Minnesota AG after he previously lost the election to that office to current Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison in 2018.

In his announcement video, Wardlow played up the kind of “law and order” messaging that former President Donald Trump tried in his unsuccessful re-election bid in 2020. Continue reading.

These Minnesota Lawyers Are Supporting Keith Ellison for Attorney General

The believe he is the best candidate for the office.  Here’s the list:

Erik Magnuson, former Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
Justice Paul H. Anderson, retired
Alan C. Page
Hon Sam Hanson, retired
Hubert H. (Skip) Humphrey, III, former Minnesota Attorney General
Cathy Haukedahl, former Minnesota Solicitor General
Richard Allyn
Kent Harbison, former Chief Deputy Attorney General
Lee Sheehy, former Chief Deputy Attorney General
Byron Starns, former Chief Deputy Attorney General
Tom Fabel, former Deputy Attorney General
Beverly Jones Heydinger, former Deputy Attorney General
Gail Olson, former Deputy Attorney General
Pete Orput, former Deputy Attorney General
Charlie Wikelius, former Deputy Attorney General
Alia Abdi
Nikki Aden
Ramona Advani
Dennis Ahlers
Catherine Ahlin-Halverson
Larina Alton
Carolyn Anderson
Cooper Ashley
Andris Baltins
Thomas Barrett
Katherine Barrett Wiik
Thomas Basting, Jr.
Alain Baudry
Jeanette Bazis
Lisa Beane
Rick Beddow
Sonja Beddow
Elizabeth Beerman
Thomas Berndt
Jerry Blackwell
Doug Blanke
Patricia Bloodgood
Will Bornstein
Margo Brownell
Julie Brunner
Erin Bryan
Liz Burnett
Marla Butler
Bobby Joe Campion
Andrew Carlson
Mirella Ceja-Orozco
Carolyn Chalmers
Carol Chomsky
Heidi Christianson
Brian Christiansen
Barbara Cole
Beverly Conerton
Aleida Connors
Prentiss Cox
William Donahue
Stacy Deery Stennes
Holly Dolejsi
E. Michele Drake
Ellen Dubuque
Sam Ellingson
Ami ElShareif
Brad Engdahl
Mike Fargione
Teresa Fariss McClain
Jessica Federico
Sandra Feist
Yvonne Flaherty
Kathleen Flynn Peterson
Elizabeth Fors
Beth Forsythe
Sarah Friedricks
Charles Frohman
Amy Gernon
Jerome Getz
Peter Goss
Michelle Grant
Cliff Greene
Todd Guerrero
Michael Hatting
William Haug
Karl Heinzerling
Hank Helgen
Anne Henry
June Hoidal
Katie Jarvi
Kate Jaycox
Carrie Johnson
Lori Johnson
Tom Johnson
David A. Jones
Terry Joy
Rick Kahn
Harvey Kaplan
Samuel Kaplan
David Karan
Tim Kean
David Kelley
Shawn Kennon
Karen Kepler


Nicole Kettwick
Sarah Khoury
John Kirwin
Ena Kovacevic
Jennifer Kowski-Dahlberg
Terri Krivosha
Amy Lawler
Alyssa Lawson
Ashleigh Leitch
Francis Ling
Steve Liss
Anne Lockner
Kara Lynum
Heather McElroy
Jennifer McEwen
Sarah McGee
Marcella McIntyre
Kelly McLain
Calleigh McRaith
Leora Maccabee
Lariss Maldonado
Bill Manning
Busola Akinwale Manthei
Richard Mark
Emily Menchaca
Chris Messerly
Kim Mesun
Jen Middleton
Kathy Moccio
Vincent Moccio
Nicole Moen
Taylor Moore-Willis
Stephanie Morgan
Carol Moss
Melissa Muro MaMere
Tara Murphy
Terrance Newby
Paschal Nwokocha
Timothy O’Brien
Myron Orfield, Jr.
Pablo Orozco
Bruce Parker
David Pearson
Jerod Peterson
Sarah Peterson
Anny Petosky
Ana Pottratz Acosta
Karl Procaccini
Jane Prohaska
Tom Ragatz
Denise Rahne
Michael Reif
Alexandria Reyes
Sarah Riskin
Sharon Roberg-Perez
Becky Rom
Helen Rubenstein
J. Gordon Rudd
Steve Schumeister
Jessica Servais
Summra Shariff
Michael Sheran
Darcy Sherman
Amanda Sicoli
Bill Sieben
Phil Sieff
Michael Skoglund
Stacey Slaughter
Louis Smith
Sebastian Stewart
Patrick Stoneking
Veronica Surges
Tara Sutton
Cathleen Sykes
Hillary Taylor
Aaron Thom
Brandon Thompson
Ryan Tollgard
Emily Tremblay
Gary Van Cleve
Sara Van Norman
Brent Vanderlinen
Brandon Vaughn
Sara Sahl
David Wallace-Jackson
Emily Wallace-Jackson
H. William Walter
Veronica Walther
Stephen Warch
Tim Webb
Michael Weber
John Wheaton
Craig Wildfang
Alan Williams
Gary Wilson
Patricia Yoedicke
Julian Zebot
Genevieve Zimmerman
Jake Zimmerman

This is recreated from an ad placed by the Minnesota DFL Party, 255 E Plato Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55107, that appeared in the November 4, 2018 Star Tribune. It is not coordinated with or approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it.

Skip Humphrey and Walter Mondale: Keith Ellison is the right choice for the critical job of attorney general

The Editorial Board was mistaken not to endorse a candidate. As former AGs, we know that Ellison is well-prepared for the job, and Doug Wardlow is unsuited for it.

The Star Tribune Editorial Board erred in its decision not to endorse in the Minnesota attorney general’s race (“Two deeply flawed AG candidates,” Nov. 2). As two former Minnesota attorneys general, we can say with confidence that Keith Ellison is well-prepared to fulfill the important duties of this essential constitutional office and is the only reasonable choice for Minnesota voters in this election.

The board did get it right when it concluded that Doug Wardlow is unsuited for office. His pledge to politically purge “42 Democratic attorneys right off the bat,” and install a loyalty test for newly hired lawyers, is singularly disqualifying. The Minnesota attorney general should be concerned only with hiring the best attorneys to serve the people of Minnesota, not those eager to serve a political agenda. We were heartened to see Keith Ellison pledge this week to support civil service reforms in the Attorney General’s Office, to ensure that the political purge Wardlow has promised cannot occur under any future attorney general.

A deeper examination of Wardlow’s record and agenda makes clear that he is out of step with the priorities of this office, and of the people of Minnesota. One of the most important duties of the office is to protect Minnesota consumers, yet Wardlow has pledged to side with large corporations over individuals’ rights. And he has refused to support lawsuits against the opioid manufacturers who, like the cigarette companies that the Attorney General’s Office previously brought to account, have made millions off addiction and death in our state.

Skip Humphrey served as Minnesota attorney general from 1983 to 1999. Walter Mondale is a former vice president and served as Minnesota attorney general from 1960 to 1964. Both are Democrats.

View the complete November 2 commentary by Skip Humphrey and Walter Mondale on the Star Tribune website here.

Wardlow’s Classmates: He did bully his LGBTQ Classmate

The accusation that Wardlow bullied one of our classmates for being gay, as reported in an Oct. 30 article “Wardlow, Ellison sharpen attacks,” is a reckoning for Eagan High School’s class of 1997. It is forcing us to come face-to-face with the fact that our school was not safe for LGBTQ students. Fortunately, many of us have grown up to recognize the dark underside of our high school days, become more tolerant and accepting, and even raise children who are doing the same.

Unfortunately, Doug did not make the same decision. Instead, he has doubled down on the hateful stances of his high school days. He has used his professional life at Alliance Defending Freedom to protect those who discriminate and attack those who need our love and support. Doug claims he will be apolitical when he takes office. We know that isn’t the case. Doug never was apolitical and never will be. He is an extremist who will try to take us back to a time to which we never want to return.

The undersigned members of the Eagan High School Class of 1997:

Tiffanie Baker, Missy (Leiferman) Boody, Katiah (Young) Brown, Marilyn Byrd, Lindsay Carlson, Meghann Fedde Charboneau, Alex Cook, Adam Cooley, Lea Coon, Stacy (Renick) Crakes, Scott Crichton, Lindsey Dickinson, Melissa (Geist) Feeler, Holly Flood, Rebecca (Larson) Gierok, Jean Harlson, Lynn S. Larson, Dana (Edwins) Leno, Joel Lessard, Daniel Machovsky, Erin (Harmon) Matschiner, Jason J. Miller, Lindsey Munro, Katie (Mozer) Murr, Dan Murr, Pathana Navandy, Laura (Anderson) O’Connor, Nickie Pufall, Chad R. Rath, Megan (Ruegg) Robertson, Kristen Scarpetta, Alicia Peterson Shams, and Ryan Thorman. This letter was submitted by Katie Murr of St. Paul.
Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 2, 2018

Wardlow Shows True Colors on Gun Safety, Reverses Support for Background Checks and Accepts NRA Donations

Ellison has been a longtime advocate for common sense gun safety reforms, and will support efforts to reduce gun violence as Attorney General

MINNESOTA – Congressman Keith Ellison and gun safety advocates today called out Republican Attorney General Candidate Doug Wardlow for flip-flopping in his support for criminal background checks on all gun sales in Minnesota. Not only has Wardlow lied about his support for this common sense provision, his latest campaign finance report reveals that he did so while accepting campaign donations from the National Rifle Association (NRA).

“While 90 percent of Minnesotans rightly support common sense gun safety measures like criminal background checks, Doug Wardlow backed down as soon as the gun lobby came calling,” said Ellison. “After the tragic events of this last weekend, Minnesotans understand better than ever the need to elect a strong advocate who will protect the safety of all Minnesotans as Attorney General.”

During the KSTP Attorney General debate last Sunday, Wardlow was asked whether he would support criminal background checks on all gun sales, to which he replied: “Yes I would.” Then, this past Saturday, on the same day as a tragic and deadly act of gun violence, Wardlow backed away from this position, saying that he “absolutely [does] not support background checks for private sales” and he “[does not] support any new gun laws.” Continue reading “Wardlow Shows True Colors on Gun Safety, Reverses Support for Background Checks and Accepts NRA Donations”

Women’s Health Leaders Join Keith Ellison to Condemn Wardlow’s Derogatory Comments and Anti-Choice Agenda for the Attorney General’s Office

Newly unearthed blog reportedly authored by Wardlow says that “[a woman’s body] is designed to bear offspring,” and decries the Griswold v. Connecticut case, which guaranteed the right to access contraception

These views are consistent with Wardlow’s stated objectives for the Attorney General’s Office, saying he would favor overturning Roe v. Wade and would prioritize criminalizing a woman’s right to choose

With President Trump’s conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, Minnesotans need someone who will defend women’s rights as Attorney General, not attack them

MINNESOTA – Women’s health care leaders and advocates stood with Congressman Keith Ellison today in his campaign for Attorney General. to denounce derogatory comments reportedly made by Wardlow, and to condemn his dangerous and extreme anti-choice agenda for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

“As women’s rights fall under continued attack at the federal level, my opponent has pledged to use the Office of Attorney General to criminalize a woman’s right to choose and serve President Trump,”said Ellison. “These latest comments reinforce Wardlow’s long career of discrimination against those he disagrees with. As Attorney General, I will defend the rights of all, including the right of Minnesota women to access safe, affordable health care.”

News reports indicate that Doug Wardlow authored a secret, far-right political blog in violation of nonpartisan judicial ethics standards during his time working at the Minnesota Supreme Court. Among the extreme positions Wardlow reportedly took on the blog, are a belief that “[a woman’s body] is designed to bear offspring,” and a belief that the Griswold v. Connecticut case, which guaranteed the right to access contraception, represents the use of “activist courts to subvert the will of the people.” Continue reading “Women’s Health Leaders Join Keith Ellison to Condemn Wardlow’s Derogatory Comments and Anti-Choice Agenda for the Attorney General’s Office”

Doug Wardlow Must Answer Whether He Violated Judicial Ethics Standards by Authoring Extreme, Far-Right Blog

Reports that Wardlow broke nonpartisan judicial ethics standards must be answered, especially in light of his plans for a ‘partisan purge’ of the AG’s office

The blog Wardlow allegedly authored details extreme far-right views on reproductive rights, the death penalty for children, and voting rights

MINNESOTA – Today, a news report detailed the extensive evidence suggesting Republican Attorney General candidate Doug Wardlow authored an extreme, far-right blog in violation of judicial ethics standards during his time as a clerk for the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Such a flagrant disregard for neutrality under the law would be extremely concerning for the state’s top attorney, especially given Wardlow’s pledge for a partisan purge in the office, and his longstanding history of discrimination.

The following is a statement from Sam Fettig, Communications Director for Keith Ellison for Attorney General.

“Doug Wardlow has refused to tell Minnesotans his true plans for the Attorney General’s Office, and now refuses to answer whether he violated judicial ethics standards by authoring a far-right blog while serving as nonpartisan staff to the Minnesota Supreme Court. The author of this blog advocates for allowing the death penalty for children, against a woman’s right to choose, and against voting rights. Minnesotans must know if this is what Doug Wardlow truly believes.”

Doug Wardlow on Separation of Church and State

Anyone concerned about this issue should be award of Mr. Wardlow’s statement earlier this year in radio interview on the Justice and Drew program:

HOST: “The separation of church and state, which isn’t a real concept.

WARDLOW: “No, it’s not. No, it’s just something Jefferson put in a letter. It’s not really a real concept at all.”

Here’s a link to the actual audio (note the laughter about this being a legitimate concept to avoid having this country fall into a theocracy).

Doug Wardlow’s Record of Discrimination Pushed by Trump to Supreme Court

Trump Administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a case Doug Wardlow originally argued, to allow LGBTQ people to be fired for who they are

Throughout his life, Wardlow has fought to discriminate against Minnesotans based on who they are

MINNESOTA – Today, Congressman Keith Ellison, candidate for Minnesota Attorney General, and LGBT elected officials denounced Republican candidate Doug Wardlow’s record of discrimination which is headed for the United States Supreme Court.

“Minnesotans believe that everyone should be treated fairly, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation,” said Ellison. “Doug Wardlow’s career of discrimination has now caught the attention of President Trump, and threatens to allow LGBT people across the country to be fired simply for being who they are. Our state needs an Attorney General who will enforce the rights of all, not enact a political purge to push a discriminatory agenda.”

Yesterday, the Trump Administration announced that it would ask the United States Supreme Court to rule that businesses can discriminate against workers based on their gender identity. The case the Trump Administration is asking the Court to consider was originally argued by Doug Wardlow on behalf of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an anti-LGBTQ hate group, to uphold the discriminatory firing of a funeral home employee in Michigan. Continue reading “Doug Wardlow’s Record of Discrimination Pushed by Trump to Supreme Court”

Doug Wardlow, is this your extremely conservative blog from 2004?

Lindsay Carlson, who currently works as an attorney with the Bowman and Brooke law firm in Los Angeles, has known Minnesota Attorney General candidate Doug Wardlow for 25 years.

She says it was in 2004 when Wardlow was working on a conservative blog. That blog — The Rostra: Conservative Commentary and Political Philosophy — is still online (therostra.blogspot.com).

Clerks are warned the moment they start the job they are not to engage in partisan or political discourse. Wardlow’s blog was anonymous; the writer called himself “Marius.”

View the complete October 25 article by Hannah Jones on the CityPages website here.

If you don’t have time to read the full article, here are some of the content CityPages found:

  • There was the post in June of 2004, in which he dismissed pro-choice arguments that women shouldn’t be “saddled unequally vis-a-vis men with the risks involved with sexual intercourse” and forced to bring an unwanted pregnancy to term.
  • He said “limiting the amount of money an individual may spend” on a political campaign would be like “limiting the speeches of those born eloquent.
  • Later, he said “activist courts” are cudgels with which “liberal social values” are forced on society. He cited cases on same-sex marriage, gay sex, and Roe v. Wade as examples.