Tag: Chair Martin

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 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.”

Continue reading “DFL Party Statement on Juneteenth”

THURSDAY: Governor Gretchen Whitmer to Keynote DFL Founders Day Dinner

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Thursday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will keynote the DFL Party’s 2021 Founders Day Dinner. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Governor Tim Walz will also be speaking during the event. 

Members of the media will be able to tune in to the virtual dinner at dfl.org/founders. We ask that you do not share this link with people outside of your media outlet. Members of the public looking for more information and to order tickets should visit www.dflfoundersday.com.

WHAT: A virtual fundraising dinner to celebrate the founding of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

WHO:

  • Governor Gretchen Whitmer
  • Governor Tim Walz
  • Senator Amy Klobuchar
  • Senator Tina Smith
  • DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin

WHEN: 5:30 PM on Thursday, June 3rd

WHERE: Virtual – members of the media can tune in at dfl.org/founders

DFL Party Endorses Tina Smith for the United States Senate

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota DFL Party announced that Tina Smith secured the DFL Party’s endorsement for re-election to the United States Senate.

Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement:

“Today, I’m incredibly proud to announce that the Minnesota DFL Party has endorsed Tina Smith for re-election to the United States Senate. Senator Smith works across the aisle to get things done for Minnesota–whether it’s fighting to lower the price of insulin, expanding mental health services, increasing broadband access or making sure people get the skills they need to get good-paying jobs. And more recently as the nation combats coronavirus, she successfully fought to ensure free COVID-19 testing for all Americans.

“And right now, Tina isn’t shying away from the very real changes we need to make, including fixing the systems that fail to prevent abuses of power and racism in all forms. Minnesotans deserve an advocate, an ally, and a fighter like Tina Smith in the United States Senate.” Continue reading “DFL Party Endorses Tina Smith for the United States Senate”

DFL Chairman Ken Martin’s Statement on the Driver’s Licenses for All Hearing in the Minnesota House

Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement in response to the Minnesota House hearing on Driver’s Licenses for All.

“I continue to be encouraged by the good work being done by the DFL-majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Driver’s Licenses for All is a matter of public safety, of dignity and respect, and plain common-sense. Granting undocumented immigrants the ability to earn a driver’s license provides all families with the ability to participate in our economy and our society. That’s why the Drivers Licenses for All bill is supported by DFLers, business leaders, faith communities, and farmers across Minnesota.”

“It’s a shame that Minnesota Republicans continue to demonize their neighbors rather than empathize with them. With their ongoing support for the separation and criminalization of families, Minnesota Republicans have demonstrated that scare tactics and scoring political points are more important to them than improving public safety. It’s a simple equation, more licensed and insured drivers on the road leads to safer roads. That’s what the DFL is fighting for.”

DFL Chair Ken Martin on Senator Michelle Benson’s Insulin Recommendations

“Another day, another callous and clueless health care remark from a Minnesota Republican. It’s frightening to me that someone like Senator Benson, the Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services and Policy committee, would recommend “coupons” and “emergency rooms” for Minnesotans being price-gouged by Big Pharma on something as consequential as life and death medications like as insulin.

“This kind of heartless approach to vital health care needs demonstrates once again that Republicans prioritizes profits over people. Across America, millions of people are trying to figure out where their next dose of lifesaving insulin is coming from, and Republicans like Michelle Benson are recommending costly and time-consuming Emergency Room visits instead holding price-gouging pharmaceutical companies responsible. This is unacceptable.

“House DFLers just released a package of bills that will lower the cost of vital prescription drugs like insulin. Senator Benson, when you’re ready to take this issue seriously, I’m sure they’d welcome your support.”

Link to post<https://t.co/Cg0svV97cJ>

DFL Chairman Ken Martin’s statement on the passing of former Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland


Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin today released the following statement in honor of the passing of former Minnesota Congressman and United States Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland.

“A resident and native of Roseau, Minnesota, Bob Bergland was a champion of American farmers and consumers. Growing up poor in the farmlands of Western Minnesota, Bob understood the difficulties and obstacles that face family farmers as well as anyone. Secretary Bergland dedicated his life to elevating the standard of living for hard-working family famers while at the same time safeguarding the interests of American consumers. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bergland family during this time of loss.”

 

Bob Bergland was born in Roseau, Minnesota, and studied agriculture at the University of Minnesota. After serving the in Department of Agriculture, he represented Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971-1977. He then served as President Jimmy Carter’s Secretary of Agriculture from 1977 – 1981.

Statement from DFL Chairman Ken Martin on Trump’s First Budget Blueprint

March 16, 2017

“Last Night, Donald Trump made his first budget blueprint public and it’s a disaster.

“Republicans have always said that they want to see our country run like a business but our government is set up to help people, not turn a profit. To meet their bottom line, Trump’s Administration proposes deep cuts to programs that provide help that no state alone can. Programs like medical research, environmental protections, WIC grants, and money for state water projects.

“Trump’s budget pulls money from international and cultural programs, before and after-school programs, rural water infrastructure, federal subsidies for rural airports, and dumps it into a $54 billion dollar increase of defense spending. Cutting these vital programs that so many vulnerable Americans rely upon does not and will not make America great. Trump’s inexperience in government and blindness toward the benefits of governmental programs have combined into one of the most dangerous federal budget blueprints of our lifetime.

“This Trump budget has failed that moral test of government in more ways than I can begin to count. Budgets are a reflection of priorities and clearly Trump and the Republicans could care less about the prosperity of families, comfort for our seniors, progress for the working class, protection of our environment, or the future of our country.”

State DFL Chair Ken Martin on Betsy DeVos

 

Chair Martin released the following statement February 7, 2017:

“Today, the Trump Administration forced a dangerously unqualified nominee on the American people. His ‘my way or the highway’ attitude has put too many families in harm’s way and this latest promotion of the most unqualified candidate for Secretary of Education is no different.

“Once she was announced as Trump’s pick to be the country’s highest ranking education official, it was immediately revealed that she had no experience with public schools at all- not as a student, parent, teacher, administrator, nothing.  Her gross incompetence was on full display during the U.S. Senate hearings. When she was before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, she refused to rule out defunding public schools, refused to stand up for kids with disabilities, and failed to answer basic questions about education policy.

“The American people have expressed their displeasure through calls, emails, letters, and social media asking their senators to listen when they say no to Trump’s agenda and not confirm DeVos. Our children and our country’s future are too important to allow an unqualified, enemy of public education to lead the Education Department.”

– See more at: https://www.dfl.org/blog/dfl-news/2017/02/statement-from-dfl-chairman-ken-martin-on-betsy-devos-confirmation/#sthash.kNIDe8QN.dpuf