Tag: MN03

Tick … Tick … Tick …Twenty-One Days Later, Rep. Erik Paulsen Still Silent on the Minnesota Way Pledge

Dean Phillips challenged Erik Paulsen to sign The Minnesota Way pledge on April 19

Excelsior, MN – Today marks three weeks since Dean Phillips asked Rep. Erik Paulsen to sign The Minnesota Way pledge in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District. So far, Paulsen has refused to sign the pledge, which includes at least two provisions he once favored.

“The Minnesota Way is about restoring integrity and decency to our political process. It would dramatically reduce – or even eliminate – outside special interest money, and put the people of our district first,” said Dean Phillips. “Erik Paulsen is already on record supporting the People’s Pledge and eliminating PAC contributions. If committing to public interactions with his constituents is what’s stopping him from signing the pledge, then I would argue he’s failing at the core responsibility of representation, which is listening.” Continue reading “Tick … Tick … Tick …Twenty-One Days Later, Rep. Erik Paulsen Still Silent on the Minnesota Way Pledge”

Paulsen’s polls are limited in scope

I received Congressman Erik Paulsen’s most recent Paulsen Post (April 29) in my inbox Monday morning. In it were the results of a poll given during one of his “telephone townhalls,” which aren’t townhalls at all, by the way, but I digress. The poll was this:

“Do you believe Independent Counsel Robert Mueller should be able to complete his investigation?”

  • 60 percent Yes
  • 17 percent No
  • 23 percent Undecided

Because I have never been given the opportunity to participate in one of Paulsen’s undemocratic telephone townhalls, despite my being a constituent of Minnesota Congressional District 3, my position doesn’t get registered. My vote doesn’t get counted in his “results.” Shouldn’t any constituent who wants to get to participate Paulsen’s polls and “telephone townhalls” for that matter? Why aren’t the polls open to the entire 3rd District public? Congressman Paulsen’s lack of transparency on all fronts is incredibly disturbing and renders him an untrustworthy representative.

Laura Brubaker, Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie News website, May 6, 2018

Agree that voters have clear choice

I am writing in response to an article from a writer who suggested that voters should embrace Rep. Erik Paulsen for his support of recent tax cuts while warning that any support of Democrats in the mid-term elections would result in the stifling of the truth about what is happening in Washington (“Candidate will follow marching orders,” April 19).

I completely agree with the writer when he points out that voters will have a clear choice this fall between Rep. Paulsen and Democratic Dean Phillips.

I found it amusing that the writer pointed out that he had attended a town hall meeting in which he felt that Dean Phillips had not adequately answered a question. What a novel idea, candidates holding town hall meetings with the citizens of their district.

But then, I am certain that they have never attended at town hall meeting with Rep. Paulsen, because he refuses to hold them. The writer met with and asked questions to Mr. Phillips, while our own congressional representative refuses to give citizens that same opportunity.

It is often hard to keep track of all the different investigations that are going on at once because of the ethics issues and open corruption of this administration. And the reader wants us to believe that we should support Rep. Paulsen so that he and the current administration can continue to do wonderful things for the citizens of the Third District.

There is a reason why 40 GOP members of Congress, including the Speaker of the House, have chosen to leave office this fall. There is a reason why over 35 cabinet members and employees within the White House have either been fired or quit.

This president is reckless and, at times, unhinged. The only safeguard that we, as citizens in the Third District have, is to stand up, vote, and elect officials who listen and who are not afraid to meet with voters and truly represent us. That is certainly not Rep. Paulsen. His 100 percent voting record in support of President Trump clearly reflects who he represents.

The voters in the Third District do have a clear choice, and come November expect long lines at the voting locations that will reflect what our choice will be.

Michael Fitzgerald, Chaska
Chaska Herald, May 4, 2018

It’s a Party!

The Dean Team has a big day coming up.

On Sunday, May 6, they’ll be exactly 6 month away from Election Day. To mark this pivotal deadline, they’re throwing a party!

And, it’s not one party. In fact, the #DeanTeam members are hosting DOZENS of house parties this Sunday to celebrate their incredible progress and invoice new voices to join the team.

Want to find a gathering of #DeanTeam members near you? Not involved with the campaign and want to figure out how to join? Sign up here to join one of our house parties on May 6th! 

DFL endorses Dean Phillips in 3rd Congressional race against Rep. Erik Paulsen

The following article by Patty Dexter was posted on the Eden Prairie News website April 17, 2018:

Dean Phillips earned the DFL Party’s endorsement of his campaign on April 14 to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Erik Paulsen in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District this fall.

Phillips entered the race in May of 2017 and has built a large, grassroots campaign based on invitations and conversations with people of all political perspectives, according to a news release.

“Representation begins with listening, and I’ve spent the last year listening to the stories of thousands residents of the 3rd District who face great challenges, but remain hopeful in uncertain times,” said Phillips said. “This district demands responsible, inclusive and independent-minded leadership, and in the great Minnesota tradition, I plan to bring that to Washington. I’m looking forward to the campaign ahead – and to hearing from more of those I hope to represent.”

View the post here.

CD3 DFL Candidate Dean Phillips

Dean is the son of a soldier, who gave his life in Vietnam. He was raised on principle and pride in work that led him to become an entrepreneur dedicated to the common good.   He’s a dad with two loving daughters.

Now, he’s the DFL candidate who’ll be our new Congressman this November.  We’re so excited he’s become our candidate.

Please visit his website and join the Dean Team.

 

 

Rep. Keith Ellison on the 2018 Election

Yesterday, Rep. Keith Ellison appeared with Esme Murphy Sunday morning, April 15, 2017, talking about what he thinks about Democrats’ chances this November:

View the post here.

Other town hall meetings are civil

On Saturday, March 23, I attended a town hall meeting sponsored by Sen. Steve Cwodzinski and Rep. Lori Pryor. It was a well-advertised event in local newspapers, and there were more than 50 people in attendance.

For 90 minutes, we listened to our state government representatives address our questions and concerns. We learned their positions on many issues and heard about their plans to move legislation forward. They talked about how they are seeking common ground with others who have different opinions. It was civil, even pleasant, as people stayed around after speaking face to face with their representatives and each other.

So I ask: What is U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen afraid of that he refuses to host similar events — for more than six years? Continue reading “Other town hall meetings are civil”

Erik Paulsen’s campaign funded almost entirely by corporations and the wealthy

The following article by Peter Kotz was posted on the CityPages website April 12, 2018:

Pundits nationwide are citing Congressman Erik Paulsen’s race for re-election in Minneapolis’ western suburbs as among the tightest in the nation. But if he wins a sixth term this fall, it will be almost entirely due to large corporate patrons.

The question is whether the congressman can buy his way to another victory after turning his office into a corporate lobbying firm. Credit: Fibonacci Blue

Thus far, Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) has raised an impressive $1.9 million. Yet only a meager 2 percent of that comes from the little people, those donating less than $200. By comparison, his neighbor to the east, Minneapolis Congressman Keith Ellison, has accumulated 54 percent of his war chest through these small donations.

It should come as no surprise that Paulsen is shorn of support from anyone below the highest castes. It’s been six long years since he openly met with them in public, offering the chance to ask questions uncensored. They’re not exactly on a first-name basis. Continue reading “Erik Paulsen’s campaign funded almost entirely by corporations and the wealthy”

DFL Endorses Phillips To Challenge Paulsen In 3rd District

The following article was posted on the WCCO TV website April 14, 2018:

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Businessman Dean Phillips will be the DFL challenger to Rep. Erik Paulsen in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District.

Phillips announced his intention to run last spring. Paulsen, first elected in 2008, is now serving his fifth term in the district.

Phillips’ family started Phillips Distilling Co., a Minneapolis company that created Phillips Vodka and Prairie Organic Spirits. He also owned Talenti Gelato. He has sold both of those businesses and in recent years has worked on philanthropic issues and co-founded Penny’s Coffee, a Minneapolis coffee shop near downtown.

Paulsen defeated State Sen. Terri Bonoff in 2016. Bonoff and the Democrats tried to tie Paulsen to then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, though Paulsen never endorsed Trump. Paulsen attacked Bonoff as being an out-of-touch liberal, prone to spending sprees.

The 3rd District encompasses Minneapolis’ western suburbs, from Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park in the north to Wayzata and St. Louis Park in the west, and with Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Chaska in the southwest.

View the post here.