2024 Presidential Campaign Blog

Niki Haley Launches Stand for America PAC

Welcome To Stand For America!

We’re very excited to stand for freedom at home and strength abroad. We hope you’ll stand with us by signing up and joining the effort.

At the United Nations, Ambassador Haley proved that one person and one voice can make an impact. Imagine how much of a difference we can make when like-minded Americans unite to take a stand.

America is the greatest nation in the history of the world, but we face real challenges here at home and abroad. At home, there is a growing movement to turn away from the American system of capitalism towards a socialist mecca. Too many people are ashamed of our country’s history and culture. They rant about what is wrong with America, without mentioning what is right and good. We are too much – too loud, to insistent, too free, too wealthy, too big.

But, it is that tireless spirit that lies at the core of what it means to be an American. It is the reason why people around the world risk their lives to reach our shores. You don’t hear anyone talk about the “British Dream” or the “German Dream.” It’s called the “American Dream” for a reason.

These American qualities are not an accident. Nor are they are they passed down from father to son like a royal title. They are at the root of who we are as a people. They live in the spirit of our country.

At the same time, foreign threats endanger not just our freedom, but our lives. From Iran to Russia to North Korea, we must contend with nations who do not respect democratic ideals, human rights, or the rule of law. These challenges are made even more concerning because some of our leaders don’t grasp or won’t admit the danger they pose to the United States.

There is a quote of unknown origin that is worth mentioning: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” In other words, freedom isn’t free. It needs to be protected, and defended. We need to remind our fellow citizens what is special about our country, and what we stand to lose. We need to remind our friends and neighbors that real evil must be countered with strength and courage.

This journey will not always be easy, but let’s take to heart the words of Theodore Roosevelt: “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”

We hope you will join us. There is no greater cause than standing for America.

Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America, on the Passing of Rush Limbaugh

Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America

The great Rush Limbaugh has passed away to a better place, free from physical pain and hostility. His honor, courage, strength, and loyalty will never be replaced. Rush was a patriot, a defender of Liberty, and someone who believed in all of the greatness our Country stands for. Rush was a friend to myself and millions of Americans—a guiding light with the ability to see the truth and paint vivid pictures over the airwaves. Melania and I express our deepest condolences to his wonderful wife, Kathryn, his family, and all of his dedicated fans. He will be missed greatly.

 

Republican Party of Minnesota (MNGOP) Statement on the Passing of Rush Limbaugh

MN GOP Statement on the Passing of Rush Limbaugh

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Republican Party of Minnesota Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan released the following statement:

"We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Rush Limbaugh. For decades Rush was one of the most influential voices in the conservative movement. In many ways, Rush helped shape the Republican Party into what it is today. It is now up to us to carry the torch.

"Rush will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kathryn and his family. May he rest in peace."

Republican Party of Minnesota (MNGOP) Welcomes New Executive Director Christine Snell

MN GOP Welcomes New Executive Director

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Republican Party of Minnesota Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan released the following statement:

"We are excited to welcome Christine Snell to our organization in the role of Executive Director.  Christine most recently worked as the Communications Director for the Jason Lewis for United State Senate campaign and is an up and coming political operative who has quickly developed a reputation for being a bold and effective advocate for Republicans in Minnesota.  

"With her diverse experience in campaigns, news media, and the private sector, Christine brings a unique perspective to this role, and we are excited to have her support the organization over the next few months and help us position Republicans across the state to win in 2022."  

Statement by President Joe Biden on the Senate Vote in the Trial of Donald Trump

Statement by President Joe Biden on the Senate Vote in the Trial of Donald Trump

It was nearly two weeks ago that Jill and I paid our respects to Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who laid in honor in the Rotunda after losing his life protecting the Capitol from a riotous, violent mob on January 6, 2021.

Today, 57 Senators – including a record 7 Republicans – voted to find former President Trump guilty for inciting that deadly insurrection on our very democracy. The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives. While the final vote did not lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute. Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a “disgraceful dereliction of duty” and “practically and morally responsible for provoking” the violence unleashed on the Capitol.

Tonight, I am thinking about those who bravely stood guard that January day. I’m thinking about all those who lost their lives, all those whose lives were threatened, and all those who are still today living with terror they lived through that day. And I’m thinking of those who demonstrated the courage to protect the integrity of our democracy – Democrats and Republicans, election officials and judges, elected representatives and poll workers – before and after the election.

This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must be ever vigilant. That violence and extremism has no place in America. And that each of us has a duty and responsibility as Americans, and especially as leaders, to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.

That is how we end this uncivil war and heal the very soul of our nation. That is the task ahead. And it’s a task we must undertake together. As the United States of America.

Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America

Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America

I want to first thank my team of dedicated lawyers and others for their tireless work upholding justice and defending truth.

My deepest thanks as well to all of the United States Senators and Members of Congress who stood proudly for the Constitution we all revere and for the sacred legal principles at the heart of our country.

Our cherished Constitutional Republic was founded on the impartial rule of law, the indispensable safeguard for our liberties, our rights and our freedoms.

It is a sad commentary on our times that one political party in America is given a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters, and transform justice into a tool of political vengeance, and persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree. I always have, and always will, be a champion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honorably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate.

This has been yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our Country. No president has ever gone through anything like it, and it continues because our opponents cannot forget the almost 75 million people, the highest number ever for a sitting president, who voted for us just a few short months ago.

I also want to convey my gratitude to the millions of decent, hardworking, law-abiding, God-and-Country loving citizens who have bravely supported these important principles in these very difficult and challenging times.

Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun. In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I look forward to continuing our incredible journey together to achieve American greatness for all of our people. There has never been anything like it!

We have so much work ahead of us, and soon we will emerge with a vision for a bright, radiant, and limitless American future.

Together there is nothing we cannot accomplish.

We remain one People, one family, and one glorious nation under God, and it’s our responsibility to preserve this magnificent inheritance for our children and for generations of Americans to come.

May God bless all of you, and may God forever bless the United States of America.

President Joe Biden to Travel to Wisconsin on Tuesday, February 16, 2021

President Joe Biden to Travel to Wisconsin

On Tuesday, February 16, President Joe Biden will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Additional details to follow.

Minnesota DFL Party Elects New Leadership Team

Minnesota DFL Party Elects New Leadership Team

ST PAUL - Today, members of the DFL Party State Central Committee gathered to elect new leaders of the Minnesota DFL Party. Those elected leaders include:

• Chairman: Ken Martin
• First Vice Chair: Marge Hoffa
• Second Vice Chair: Shivanthi Sathanandan
• Treasurer: Tyler Moroles
• Secretary: Ceri Everett
• Outreach and Inclusion Officer: Cheniqua Johnson

DFL Party leadership positions are for terms of two years. Biographies of new DFL Party leaders are included at the end of this release.

“I am honored to have been re-elected Chairman of the Minnesota DFL Party alongside a fantastic slate of organizers and activists that are ready to double down on our party’s winning record,” said DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin. “When I first took over the DFL Party in 2011, we were deeply in debt and reeling from a series of electoral defeats. Ten years later we have turned the party around and it is stronger - organizationally, financially, and electorally - than ever before in its 77 year history”

Since Ken Martin was first elected DFL Party Chairman in 2011, the Minnesota DFL Party has:

• Won 16/16 statewide elections
• Enjoyed more electoral success than at any other period in DFL Party history
• Raised $130 million compared to the Minnesota GOP’s $45 million
• Helped elect more people of color and members of historically marginalized communities to office than at any other point in our DFL Party history

“The DFL Party must be firing on all cylinders going into this next election because so much is at stake,” added Martin. “We’ll be taking on redistricting and reorganizing local units and the 2022 midterms, where all 201 of our state lawmakers, all of our members of Congress, and all of our state’s Constitutional offices will be up for election. The good news is that the DFL Party is stronger than we ever have been, and with an amazing new slate of leaders at the helm of our party and our movement, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”

Below are biographies and headshots of the new DFL Party leadership ticket. Headshots can be accessed by clicking on an individual’s name.

Chairman Ken Martin
Ken Martin is currently Chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, President of the Association of State Democratic Committees, and a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. Martin was elected unanimously to a third term as President of the Association of State Democratic Committees by State Party Chairs and Vice Chairs on January 21, 2021.

Chairman Martin is currently serving his sixth term as chairman of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), the Minnesota branch of the Democratic Party. He has held this post since 2011—making him the longest-serving chairman in the 75-year history of the DFL. Under Ken’s leadership over the past 10 years, the DFL Party has seen unprecedented success electorally, financially, and organizationally. Martin has not lost a statewide election during his time as Chair and there has never been a 10-year period in DFL party history that has seen more electoral success up and down the ballot.

As ASDC President, Martin created a comprehensive strategy to increase our Democratic Party's support for State Party organizations. The vision was to create a true partnership with the DNC and a real 57-State Party strategy to build durable long-lasting infrastructure, ensuring that no State Party was left behind and that we seized on all opportunities, big and small. This plan led to robust investment, significant growth, and a greater impact at the ballot box.

Martin has played key leadership roles around the country in political parties, candidate campaigns, issue campaigns and on the independent expenditure side. Before he was elected Chairman of the Minnesota DFL, Martin helped run campaigns up and down the ballot from Presidential, U.S. Senate, Congressional, Gubernatorial, State Legislative, and local offices. In addition, Ken led a Minnesota-based donor collaborative where he helped develop, fund, and direct independent expenditures in Minnesota.

In 2008, Martin led the campaign that successfully passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, which to this day is still the largest conservation finance measure to pass in our nation’s history, as well as the highest vote-getter for an issue referendum in Minnesota.

Martin lives in Eagan, Minnesota with his wife Jennifer O’Rourke and their two sons, Samuel and James.

First Vice Chair Marge Hoffa
A former Senate District and Congressional District Chair, Marge Hoffa first ran to serve as the Vice Chair of the DFL Party because she knew improvements needed to be made to the party and she wanted to contribute to this work. Marge is running to continue her service as the First Vice Chair because while the party has made many gains, she knows that work remains to be done to support activists and candidates around the state.

Second Vice Chair Shivanthi Sathanandan
The current DFL Party Outreach Officer, Shivanthi Sathanandan, is running to serve as the party's Second Vice Chair. Shivanthi knows the future is bright with possibilities, but Minnesota is deeply divided, and communities are searching for unity. As Second Vice Chair, Shivanthi will immediately work to build coalitions with communities outside of the traditional party infrastructure. The party must invest resources in building authentic relationships, listening to community members, understanding the issues most important to them, crafting messaging that resonates, and getting that messaging to them in effective ways throughout the year - not just at election time.

Treasurer Tyler Moroles
Since his election as Treasurer in 2017, Tyler Moroles has supported local party unit treasurers by identifying challenges and areas for improvement. In 2018, Tyler worked to build a more inclusive party by creating the "POCI the House'' initiative. Tyler led efforts to door knock, phone bank and raise money for first-time Minnesota House candidates of color. This helped to elect the most diverse House membership in history. During the 2020 pandemic and presidential election, Tyler worked in affordable housing during the day, managing millions of dollars in emergency rental assistance funds, and volunteered his evenings to phonebank, having conversations with Spanish speakers in critical districts. As Treasurer, Tyler will continue to support party unit treasurers and to build on the DFL's outreach and inclusion efforts.

Secretary Ceri Everett
For nearly 20 years, Ceri Everett has been involved with the DFL Party and has served in leadership positions in MYDFL, Goodhue-21 DFL, and SD21, and the CD2 DFL. A veteran special education teacher, Ceri grew up in and lives in Red Wing. Ceri is passionate about organizing in rural communities and is eager to bring her experience to the ticket. As the party’s Secretary, Ceri will ensure a clean and timely line of communication to SCC party leaders; increase the party’s efficiency, particularly in the areas of communication, including the SCC listserv, so that everyone gets what they need when they need it; and be an advocate who is willing to listen, learn, and help.

Outreach and Inclusion Officer Cheniqua Johnson
Cheniqua Johnson (she/her) is a 2018 Team Ellison alumna where she worked as his Staff Assistant and Intern Coordinator in his congressional district office in North Minneapolis. She is a first-generation college graduate and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Family Social Science from the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota in 2017. Post-graduation, Cheniqua has worked predominantly in community organizing, politics, and is now philanthropy. Some of her previous roles include being a Legislative Assistant for the United States House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, Honorary City Council member of the City of Worthington, Minnesota, and District Outreach Coordinator for Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley. A member of the SCC since 2018 Cheniqua was the youngest DFL-endorsed woman, and one of the first women of color to run for state office in her hometown of Worthington. As the Outreach & Inclusion Officer, Cheniqua will broaden the DFL Party base to elect leaders who share our values; explore new candidate/campaign team training strategies for the DFL Outreach & Inclusion Committee; and ensure all voices are welcome, heard and valued.

Minnesota DFL Party Announces Hiring of Four Additional Staffers

DFL Party Ramps Up Year-Round Organizing Capacity
Hirings reflect DFL’s commitment to organizing & infrastructure building

ST PAUL - Today, the Minnesota DFL Party announced the hiring of four additional staffers to bolster the Party’s year-round organizing program and strengthen local infrastructure across Minnesota:

“I learned an incredibly important lesson from Senator Paul Wellstone’s campaigns: organizing wins elections,” said DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin. “This year, the DFL Party is investing heavily in grassroots organizing and building the infrastructure needed to ensure Minnesota stays blue in 2022. As a result of our commitment to grassroots organizing, the DFL Party has not lost a statewide election in the ten years I’ve served as Party Chairman, and these new hires will ensure we retain our edge going into next year’s crucial elections.”

The four new staffers joining the Minnesota DFL Party are:

• Jess Bigirindavyi - Coalitions Director
• Britta Moen - Rural Organizing Director
• Bahea Manasra - Deputy Party Affairs & Training Director
• Karen Velez-Barron - Office Manager

“The 2022 election cycle has already begun and the Minnesota DFL Party isn’t wasting anytime preparing for the upcoming midterms,” added Martin. “These fantastic new additions to the staff of the Minnesota DFL will allow us to forge stronger bonds across Greater Minnesota and deepen our ties to the communities that serve as the backbone of the DFL Party’s electoral coalition.”

Included below are brief biographies of the new staff members joining the Minnesota DFL Party:

Jess Bigirindavyi - Coalitions Director
Jessica Bigirindavyi was most recently the African American Community Engagement Director, on the DFL Party coalitions team during the 2020 election. In this role, she worked to elevate the concerns and needs of the community. She saw firsthand the significance of community representatives in the party structure; they are vital for the continual success of not only the DFL Party, but for the systematic changes needed in Minnesota to ensure that everyone has access to equitable opportunities and growth. Jessica previously worked with the DFL Party as a Field Organizer in the 2018 midterm election where she created two strategic, district-wide, door knocking and phone banking plans to turn out voters. She has a history of working with diverse communities and is committed to social justice and civic engagement. Born in Burundi, East Africa, Jessica immigrated to Minnesota at the age of 6 and earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from State Cloud State University. Complementing her professional work, Jessica enjoys being on the board of Open Your Heart and Women Winning Launch Committee.

Britta Moen - Rural Organizing Director
Britta Moen is a native of Wadena, Minnesota and proud graduate of the University of Minnesota. She is joining the Minnesota DFL Party as the Rural Organizing Director, working with activists, DFL leaders, and stakeholders across rural and small town MN to engage new DFL activists and voters. Prior to working with the DFL Party, she served as Field Director for Dan Feehan, where she managed a team of 11 and ran one of the largest field programs in CD 1 history, despite the pandemic. She is especially proud of the thousands upon thousands of phone, text, and Zoom connections made during a time without door knocking, a spectacular regional showing during GOTV, and the organizing infrastructure built in Southern Minnesota for 2022. She previously worked for Amy for America in rural Central and Northeast Iowa, Nevada, and Colorado and on Senator Tina Smith's special election in 2018. She is thrilled to be returning to her roots in rural organizing in Greater Minnesota.

Bahea Manasra - Deputy Party Affairs & Training Director
Bahea Manasra is a recent graduate from Hamline University and holds two master’s degrees in nonprofit management and public administration. Public service and policy are at the core of her everyday work. Bahea has been building my career to center around progressive policy, civic engagement, and community-based advocacy and comes to the Minnesota DFL Party from AmeriCorps. She is a firm believer in advocating for progressive and equity-based policy, and is excited to expand opportunities for community members to be involved with the DFL Party’s mission and vision. As a former campaign volunteer, Bahea looks forward to joining the DFL community and being a vital part of the team.

Karen Velez-Barron - Office Manager
Karen Velez has been an active member of the Minnesota DFL Party, working as a canvasser in the 2020 elections. Her passion for politics stems from her experience and commitment to human rights and immigration. At a young age, Karen started lobbying for immigration rights and volunteered with different non-profit organizations. She was named 40 Under 40: Latinos in American Politics, by the Huffington Post. Karen focused on immigration and human rights for most of her college career. She then graduated from George Washington University majoring in Political Science. Now she currently serves as The Office Manager for the Minnesota DFL and is excited to be a part of the team.