2024 Presidential Campaign Blog

Dr. Cornel West’s Campaign Doubles Signature Requirement for Minnesota Ballot Access

Dr. Cornel West’s Campaign Doubles Signature Requirement for Minnesota Ballot Access

[Saint Paul, Minnesota] – The Cornel West for President Campaign announces that it has surpassed twice the required signature threshold for ballot access in Minnesota. This achievement not only secures Dr. Cornel West's place on the ballot but also reflects the strong grassroots support for his transformative vision. Minnesota, the home state of Vice President Tim Walz, plays a critical role in the upcoming presidential election.

"Our success in Minnesota is a strong endorsement of our vision for America—a vision that champions truth, justice and love," said Dr. Cornel West. "We are heartened by the overwhelming support from Minnesotans who are ready for a profound shift in the country’s political discourse."

The significant surplus in signatures not only highlights the dedication of the campaign's volunteers but also positions Dr. West and Dr. Abdullah as formidable contenders in a state known for its progressive politics. "In the shadow of the George Floyd uprisings, the overwhelming response to our campaign by Minnesota voters is an indicator that people still want transformative change," added vice presidential candidate Dr. Melina Abdullah.

Nick Shillingford, the lead volunteer in Minnesota, expressed his enthusiasm: "People, and young people specifically, are very excited to have someone they can vote FOR rather than just someone they feel they have to vote against. I asked a woman who was jogging with her earbuds in to sign the petition and for a brief moment I was afraid she was going to be upset that I was interrupting her jog. But while I was explaining the campaign she said "I love Cornel West, I'll sign anything for Cornel West" and she began signing. Minnesota is a state that has a huge community that cares about justice, human rights and the environment so the West campaign is a natural fit in this state.”

The campaign's success in Minnesota is part of a broader strategy to engage deeply with issues that resonate with Americans, including abolishing poverty and homelessness, racial justice, and environmental sustainability. The West/Abdullah platform offers an alternative to the policies championed by the major party candidates, aiming to transform the political dialogue and bring real solutions to the poor and working class.

The West/Abdullah campaign has the signatures and minor party nominations it needs to get on the ballot in 18 states. This includes 7 of the battleground states: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin and North Carolina. For more info, see our ballot access map.

Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Cornel West Announces Dr. Melina Abdullah as 2024 Vice Presidential Running Mate

Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Cornel West Announces Dr. Melina Abdullah as 2024 Vice Presidential Running Mate on The Tavis Smiley Show

[Los Angeles, California] – Dr. Cornel West, Independent Presidential Candidate, introduced Dr. Melina Abdullah as his choice for Vice President in the 2024 presidential election. The announcement of his running mate was made on The Tavis Smiley Show and marked a significant milestone in the campaign's commitment to fighting for a society and world based on justice, equality, and the empowerment of poor and working class people of all colors.

"At this historic and pivotal moment, it is my profound honor to stand alongside my dear sister, Dr. Melina Abdullah, a fierce and tireless advocate for truth, justice, and transformative change,” Dr. West proudly announced. “Sister Melina’s incredible courage, keen intellect, and deep vision have greatly served the cause of liberation in education, worker rights, and both racial and gender justice. Her unique Black analysis and witness helps us confront our crumbling era of empire, white supremacy, and patriarchy. I look forward to working with her as we strengthen our commitment in our campaign for truth, justice and love!"

Melina Abdullah is a revered Professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, and a long-time celebrated community organizer. She is known for her work as a union mobilizer, a founding member of the Black Lives Matter movement and Director of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, and an advocate for systemic change through educational, community, and political organizing.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to join Dr. Cornel West as his Vice Presidential candidate at this critical moment as we work together for transformative change. This campaign offers a real vision for the world that stands in opposition to oppressive forces and holds fast to the universal principles of truth, justice, and love.

As we work arm-in-arm with justice-loving people everywhere, we reimagine and work to build a world that chooses goodwill over greed, courage over cowardice, and liberation over exploitation. Together, we are igniting a movement to not only dismantle harmful systems, but establish the firm foundations of a just, nurturing, and free world."

Dr. Abdullah’s academic and activist work profoundly aligns particularly with the Cornel West campaign’s Gender, Transformative, Racial, Worker and Education Justice Pillars:

• Transformative Justice: Her leadership in the Black Lives Matter movement and initiatives such as the #PeoplesBudget and #BlackXmas showcase her commitment to policy changes that seek to fundamentally reshape society to uplift those at the margins.
• Gender Justice: Abdullah has been a vanguard in advocating for the rights and recognition of women, particularly Black women, within both the academic and broader social ecosystems.
• Racial Justice: As a founder of the Black Lives Matter chapter in Los Angeles and an outspoken advocate for police reform and community empowerment, Abdullah's work has been pivotal in addressing systemic racial inequities.
• Worker Justice: With years of experience as a union leader, Abdullah has fought tirelessly for the rights of workers, advocating for fair conditions, equitable pay, and a voice for faculty and staff in the university system.
• Education Justice: Her efforts were instrumental in making Ethnic Studies a requirement in the Los Angeles Unified School District and the California State University system, ensuring future generations understand the diverse histories and contributions of all peoples.

The Cornel West campaign invites all to join the growing groundswell of radical, people-powered change galvanizing a nation growing weary of equally destructive false “choices.” With this announcement, the campaign is currently pursuing an aggressive 50-state strategy to gain independent ballot access for every voter in the upcoming presidential election, encouraging every citizen to value their vote and dismantle the corporate-backed duopoly.

Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Cornel West to Announce VP Choice on The Tavis Smiley Show Wednesday

Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Cornel West to Announce VP Choice on The Tavis Smiley Show Wednesday

[Los Angeles, California] – Join Brother Cornel West, Independent Presidential Candidate, on The Tavis Smiley Show this Wednesday, April 10th at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET for a landmark announcement of his 2024 Vice Presidential running mate. The announcement comes on the heels of Dr. West recently gaining ballot access in several states as part of a 50-state strategy to offer voters independent options beyond what Dr. West calls “the false choices, violence, and division of the corporate-backed duopoly.”

“On Wednesday, we will joyfully open a new chapter in this ‘moment in a movement,’ by announcing a committed candidate for Vice President who stands in solidarity with poor, oppressed and forgotten people everywhere. Together we will call upon the collective courage of every individual to value their vote and choose to stand with us to utterly dismiss the division, greed, and violence of the corporate-owned duopoly. We invite all to abandon these tired false choices and stand on the ‘side’ of humanity itself.”
Every state requires independents to meet unique rules to be allowed alongside corporate duopoly party candidates on state election ballots. As a result, Dr. West will either stand as the candidate of like minded independent parties, as the candidate of his newly-formed Justice for All Party, or as an independent candidate via required petition signatures—depending on each state's regulations.

In recent months, the campaign has galvanized a people-powered movement rooted in the universal principles of truth, justice, and love. With a vision far beyond this election cycle, the campaign seeks to radically raise the public view to put people and planet over profits, from the local to national level. Refusing corporate donations and super PAC funding, Dr. West relies on personal donations and his fast-growing groundswell of volunteers to fight for independent ballot access and campaign visibility across the nation.

Wednesday’s announcement of Dr. West’s vice presidential candidate will allow the campaign to further progress in additional key states which require a VP candidate to obtain ballot access and give voters an independent choice alongside the duopoly candidates.

Tune into The Tavis Smiley Show this Wednesday, April 10th at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET to welcome Dr. West and meet his running mate as they outline their vision for a presidency that represents all, not only the few, as we collectively uplift our vision toward a more equitable and compassionate society.

The announcement can be watched live or on-demand via YouTube (@KBLA1580), Facebook (@drcornelwest and @therealtavissmiley), Twitter/X (@cornelwest and @tavissmiley), Instagram (@brothercornelwest and @therealtavissmiley), and TikTok (@brothercornelwest); listened to live via TheTavisSmileyShow.com or TuneIn (tunein.com/radio/KBLA-1580AM-s31755/); or downloaded on-demand via The Tavis Smiley Show on major podcast platforms.

Follow the conversation on Social Media: #CornelWest2024 #TruthLoveJustice.