2024 Presidential Campaign Blog

Minnesota DFL Statement Celebrating Senator Amy Klobuchar's Reelection Victory

DFL Statement Celebrating Senator Klobuchar's Reelection Victory

ST PAUL – Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin released the following statement celebrating the reelection of Senator Amy Klobuchar.

"Senator Klobuchar has repeatedly overcome partisan divisions in Washington to deliver for her constituents, and Minnesotans rewarded her for that leadership tonight," said DFL Chairman. "Thanks to her hard work, Minnesota seniors are benefitting from lower prescription drug prices and veterans exposed to toxic burn pits are finally getting support. Minnesotans have been lucky to have a champion like Amy Klobuchar representing us in the Senate, and we're even luckier that's she going to back to fight for us in Washington for another term."

Minnesota DFL Labor Get Out the Vote Rally Photos, November 2, 2024, St. Paul

Mayors Across Minnesota Endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz

Mayors Across Minnesota Endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz

Vice President Kamala Harris' New Way Forward Will Look Out for Communities Big and Small Across Minnesota

This week, the Harris-Walz campaign announced the endorsement of more than 30 mayors and former mayors across Minnesota, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston, Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson, Stillwater Mayor Ted Kozlowski, St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed, and former Grand Marais Mayor Sue Hakes.

Mayors from all corners of Minnesota agree that Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are the best choice to ensure every American has the opportunity to not just get by, but get ahead. The Vice President's plan will lower the cost of everyday needs like groceries and housing, cut taxes for working and middle class families, and help small businesses and entrepreneurs grow and thrive. Throughout his tenure as Governor, Tim Walz has worked all across Minnesota to make sure towns and cities are thriving – and Minnesota mayors know he will continue this work as a partner to Vice President Harris.

Minnesota mayors know that a second Trump term is a risk their communities can't afford. He is increasingly unstable and his Project 2025 agenda would increase costs for families by $4,000 a year, cut Social Security and Medicare and end the Affordable Care Act, and give him unprecedented, virtually unchecked power to do whatever he wants — putting Minnesotans at risk.

Hear why Minnesota mayors are supporting Vice President Harris and Governor Walz:

Mayor Jacob Frey (Minneapolis): "During one of our country's most trying times in 2020, Americans and small business owners needed the federal government to lend a hand, keep our country on track, and save lives. Donald Trump failed Minneapolis – and we can't go back. Vice President Harris' New Way Forward agenda will create an opportunity economy that ensures every Minnesotan has a chance to compete, succeed, and not just get by – but get ahead. This election, we all have a choice between an economy built for Donald Trump and the ultra-rich, or we can choose an economy built for the hardworking, middle-class families who make up the backbone of America."

Mayor Melvin Carter (Saint Paul): "We are facing a critical moment in our country's history and the choice is clear: We need to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Trump's Project 2025 agenda includes plans to overhaul the Department of Justice and give Trump effectively unchecked power to seek vengeance against people who disagree with him. There's only one person in this election who can stop Donald Trump for good and that's Vice President Kamala Harris."

Mayor Hollies Winston (Brooklyn Park): "Vice President Harris is the only person in this race who has prioritized the middle class and small businesses, which is something that my community has been asking for. She has also worked alongside President Biden to invest in HBCUs and public school education programs. It's important for voters to see a presidential candidate who is saying, 'I see you as a person and I see that you are concerned about supporting your family,' and then goes out to make changes based on those needs. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are the leaders we can trust to continue the progress the Biden-Harris administration started."

Mayor Shelly Carlson (Moorhead): "We need more women in leadership who represent the people who will be impacted by the policies we advocate for. It's not always an easy path, but Vice President Harris' journey shows what's possible when you have determination and a vision. I know for a fact Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will never stop fighting for us. They are the leaders we need."

Mayor Ted Kozlowski (Stillwater): "It is abundantly clear that there is only one candidate who will support our rights and freedoms – and that's Vice President Harris. This isn't just about politics; it's about the future and the world we leave for our children. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have demonstrated what true leadership looks like, and we must follow their example by standing up for our rights and the values that define us as a country."

Nadia Mohamed (St. Louis Park): "Our state has remained blue longer than any other state in the nation. That's because we fight for what is right and we don't buy into hate speech and divisiveness. Vice President Kamala Harris represents the values of our state and of this country."

Former Mayor Sue Hakes (Grand Marais): "I'm proud to express my unwavering support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Walz. In Harris and Walz, we have leaders committed to real solutions and transformative change. Kamala Harris' path embodies the hopes of many who dream of a fairer and more just future."

Minnesota mayor endorsements:

Amáda Márquez Simula, mayor of Columbia Heights
April Graves, mayor of Brooklyn Center
Betsy Hodges, former mayor of Minneapolis
Bill Blonigan, mayor of Robbinsdale
Bill Palmquist, mayor of Afton
Chris Coleman, former mayor of Saint Paul
Doug Gregor, mayor of Aurora
Emily Larson, former mayor of Duluth
Hollies Winston, mayor of Brooklyn Park
Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis
Jake Spano, former mayor of St. Louis Park
Janet Williams, mayor of Savage
Jim Hovland, mayor of Edina
John Tuorila, former mayor of Calumet
Maria Regan Gonzalez, former mayor of Richfield
Mary Gaasch, mayor of Lauderdale
Marylee Abrams, mayor of Maplewood
Mary Supple, mayor of Richfield
Melvin Carter, mayor of Saint Paul
Mike Krachmer, mayor of Vadnais Heights
Nadia Mohamed, mayor of St. Louis Park
Patrick Hanlon, mayor of Hopkins
Robert Byrnes, mayor of Marshall
Ron Case, mayor of Eden Prairie
Roslyn Harmon, mayor of Golden Valley
Scott Lund, mayor of Fridley
Shelly Carlson, mayor of Moorhead
Shep Harris, former mayor of Golden Valley
Sue Hakes, former mayor of Grand Marais
Ted Kozlowski, mayor of Stillwater
Tim Busse, mayor of Bloomington

Chairman David Hann Announces Anika Rickard as the MN GOP’s New Deputy Executive Director

HANN ANNOUNCES HIRING OF DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Minneapolis, MN — Chairman David Hann announced today that Anika Rickard has been hired as the MN GOP’s new Deputy Executive Director:

“We are excited to continue adding to our State Party team as we work tirelessly to elect Republicans up and down the ballot in just two weeks," Hann stated. “Anika brings a wealth of grassroots, communications, and campaign experience to our Party, and she will be a valuable asset for Republicans across the state through this year's election and beyond."

Rickard shared, “As election day approaches, I’m excited to continue working towards victory for our Republican candidates. We need every Republican in Minnesota to vote and to help us remind their friends and neighbors to vote. I'm excited to join the state party's team and work towards wins in our competitive races over the next few weeks!"

Rickard's hiring follows the addition of Rep. Hudson and almost two dozen Trump staff to Republican operations throughout the state.

Harris-Walz and DFL Coordinated Campaign Rally with Minnesota Seniors

Harris-Walz and DFL Coordinated Campaign Rally with Minnesota Seniors, Tout VP Harris’ New Way Forward

Today, former Minnesota Attorney General Skip Humphrey and former Minnesota Secretary of State Joan Growe joined seniors to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Tim Walz, and Democrats’ New Way Forward – a plan that will lower the cost of seniors’ health care and prescription drugs as well as strengthen Medicare to include the cost of home care. Humphrey and Growe also emphasized the importance of early voting in Minnesota, which provides seniors with more options to vote safely and make sure their voices are heard, and encouraged seniors to vote early for Democrats up and down the ballot.

Under Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz’s historic new Medicare at Home plan, Medicare will cover home care for the first time ever for our nation’s seniors – lowering their costs, letting seniors live at home in dignity, and easing the stress and emotional burdens often associated with having to seek facility care for older loved ones. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and JD Vance’s extreme Project 2025 agenda would cut Medicare as well as Medicaid and Social Security, and repeal the Affordable Care Act.

This event is part of a series of engagements highlighting Vice President Harris’ commitment to seniors in Minnesota.

“Vice President Harris has been a champion in fighting for seniors—she took on Big Pharma and won, capping the price of insulin at $35 for seniors, allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and capping the yearly out-of-pocket cost of prescriptions for seniors,” said Skip Humphrey, former Minnesota Attorney General. “In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda threatens seniors across the nation. He and his allies have spent years trying to undermine Medicare and Social Security.”

“Make no mistake, there is only one candidate in this race who will put seniors and families first. Kamala Harris has plans to strengthen Medicare to cover home care for seniors – Donald Trump only looks out for himself,” said Joan Growe, former Minnesota Secretary of State. “This election will impact our daily lives—but also the lives of our children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren. We must uphold the values that our country was founded upon and elect leaders like Vice President Harris, Governor Tim Walz, and Democrats up and down the ballot to protect all of our futures.”

Bernie Sanders Photos, Rally for Kamala Harris-Tim Walz, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota, October 11, 2024

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and DFL Chair Ken Martin Photos, Pre-Debate Press Conference, Minnesota State Capitol, September 9, 2024

Ahead of the Debate, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and DFL Chair Ken Martin to Slam Trump’s Project 2025 Agenda to Control Minnesotans

Today in St. Paul, ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ debate against Donald Trump, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and DFL Chair Ken Martin held a press conference warning Minnesotans about Trump’s Project 2025 agenda to give Trump more control over Minnesotans’ daily lives, including by banning abortion nationwide and weaponizing the Department of Justice for his own personal power — all while raising taxes on middle-class families by $3,900 and cutting Social Security and Medicare.

Speakers will underscore Donald Trump and JD Vance’s Project 2025 agenda to give Trump virtually unchecked power and rule as a dictator on “day one”. Vance has said Project 2025 has some “good ideas” and will rubber stamp Trump’s extreme agenda that would threaten Minnesotans’ rights and freedoms, hurt the middle class, and raise costs for families.

“Tomorrow’s debate will showcase two vastly different futures. Vice President Kamala Harris offers a vision that protects our freedoms, strengthens our democracy, and fights to cut costs for families so everyone can get ahead,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “On the other side, Donald Trump and JD Vance’s Project 2025 plan is a direct threat to Minnesotans—giving Trump virtually unchecked power to control our lives, ban abortion, and strip away our rights. Trump’s goal is clear: seize power at any cost, no matter the impact on everyday Americans. We will stop Donald Trump and JD Vance and their extreme agenda at the ballot box.”

“Kamala Harris is the only candidate in this race who stands up for our democracy, respects the rule of law, and fights for the rights of every Minnesotan,” said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. “Trump’s Project 2025 is all about expanding his own power, dismantling our institutions, and pushing his extremist agenda on the American people. He’s not running to serve — he’s running to rule, and his reckless pursuit of power would devastate our communities. We have to stand with Harris and stop Trump from tearing down our democracy.”

“Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting to build up the middle class, lower costs, and ensure a fair economy where every Minnesotan has the chance to thrive,” said DFL Chair Ken Martin. “Donald Trump and JD Vance’s Project 2025 is an economic disaster waiting to happen—raising taxes on working families while lining the pockets of billionaires. Trump’s presidency would threaten the progress we’ve made on affordable health care and Social Security. We cannot afford to let Trump take us backward. We must elect Harris to protect our economy and our freedoms.”

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, State Auditor Julie Blaha, Team Harris-Walz, MN Dems, and Local DFL Leaders Celebrate Coordinated Office Opening in Stillwater

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, Team Harris-Walz, MN Dems, and Local DFL Leaders Celebrate Coordinated Office Opening in Stillwater

Today in Stillwater, U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, State Auditor Julie Blaha, State Representative Josiah Hill, candidates for MN House Lucia Wroblewski and Jake Ross, the Harris-Walz campaign, and the DFL celebrated the opening of the Stillwater Democratic coordinated campaign office dedicated to electing Vice President Harris, Governor Tim Walz, and Minnesota Democrats up and down the ballot.

The Stillwater office is one of more than 20 Democratic coordinated campaign offices throughout the state, where Minnesotans are energized and ready to get to work to elect Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and MN Democrats.

The office opening is part of a massive Weekend of Action in Minnesota that is engaging voters at over 100 events across the state, including canvass launches, and voter engagement events led by prominent state and local leaders.

“Our Stillwater DFL office is a hub of hope, energy, and action. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are the leaders we need in the White House to defend our freedoms, expand the middle class, and create an economy that works for all Americans,” said U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum. “In contrast, Donald Trump and JD Vance are pushing to roll back abortion rights, deny voters access to the ballot box, and eliminate vital protections for workers and unions. This campaign is about our families and our future. Now is the time to get to work to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they will always be fighting for us.”

“This coordinated campaign office in Stillwater reflects our commitment to community, democracy, and opportunity. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are leading the way with a vision that lifts up every Minnesotan,” said State Auditor Julie Blaha. “Trump and Vance, on the other hand, are running on fear, division, and a dangerous agenda that promises to tear down the very foundations of our democracy. They’ve made it clear that they’re not interested in the needs of working families.”

“This election is a choice between progress and regression, and Kamala Harris is the leader we need to take on Donald Trump’s dangerous and divisive agenda. She has spent her entire career fighting for justice and standing up for the rights of all Americans,” said State Representative Josiah Hill. “Trump and Vance are running on a platform that seeks to destroy our democracy, cut Social Security and Medicare, and roll back the progress we’ve made. This office will be our battleground to hold them accountable and keep them out of power.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Photos, Labor Day Greet with Local Labor Leaders, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Monday, September 2, 2024

In recognition of Labor Day, Governor Tim Walz and Mrs. Gwen Walz hosted a greet at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with local leaders and representatives from the following organizations:

* Peggy Flanagan, Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota

* Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General

* Julie Blaha, Minnesota State Auditor

* Melvin Carter, Mayor of Saint Paul, MN

* Minnesota AFL- CIO

* Minnesota Pipe Trades Association

* Sheet Metal Workers Local 10

* AFSCME Council 65

* Iron Workers Local 512

* Education Minnesota

* LiUNA Minnesota

* SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa

* Inter Faculty Organization

* Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council

* North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters

* Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)

* Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Minnesota State Council

Following the greet, the Governor and Mrs. Walz departed MSP en route to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to deliver remarks at Laborfest 2024 with union members of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO. This flight marks their first trip aboard the Harris-Walz campaign charter, which bears an American flag, Harris-Walz, and "A New Way Forward" decals.

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.