In this blog post, I’ve included a spreadsheet that analyzes the competitiveness of the 2020 Minnesota Senate races. I determined that only 23 races out of 67 are competitive. Fifteen of those include an incumbent Republican and eight include an incumbent DFLer. I then categorized the races into five levels of competitiveness. Continue reading
2020 Iowa Caucus
Last night, Suzanne and I volunteered as Precinct Captains for Amy Klobuchar’s campaign in Marshalltown, Iowa – a site we requested because I grew up on a farm 10 miles north of that city. (The caucus took place at Marshalltown Community College, which my two older brothers attended in the early 1960s.) Continue reading
Who’s Running for the MN House in 2020
Last month, Peter Callaghan, Greta Kaul, and Tom Nehil published an informative article on Minnpost.com titled “Who’s running for the Minnesota Legislature.” It lists the current shape of the 67 Minnesota Senate races and 134 Minnesota House races. It includes useful filters so you can narrow down the list.
In a recent blog post, I wrote that one person with energy and determination can have a significant impact on the 2020 elections by supporting a Democratic Minnesota House candidate in a swing district. So I decided to take a closer look at the 134 House races. Continue reading
How to Support Minnesota’s Democratic Legislature
In my last blog post, I wrote that one person could have a significant impact on the 2020 elections by doorknocking for a DFL State Representative candidate in a swing district. I then list ten candidates in swing districts to consider.
Hilary Beste, who is the Director for DFL Senate District 46, has the same goal but has been advocating a different strategy. She is encouraging DFLers to donate $10 to each DFL House candidate in a swing district. Below is the flyer that she was handing out at a recent DFL state committee meeting. I liked her idea and flyer so I asked her if I could add it to my blog. She said sure, but I would also have to tweet about it, which I will do. Continue reading
One Volunteer Can Impact the 2020 Elections
Dear DFLers,
The 2019 Election just happened so it’s time to get ready for the 2020 election. I recently heard someone say that she knew that the 2020 election was important, but did not think that she, as one person, could make much of a difference. Based on my experience in the past four years as an active DFL volunteer, I am here to tell you that she is wrong. One person with determination and energy can have a significant impact on the 2020 elections. Continue reading
Klobuchar can Unite the #ReasonableMajority
Everyone agrees that America is becoming more and more polarized, divided, and partisan. We need a presidential candidate who will unite the country, not divide it along economic, geographical, religious, and racial lines. There is no doubt in my mind that Amy Klobuchar is the candidate who can do that. Continue reading
Gun Violence Solution from a Gun-owning Iowa Republican
One of my best friends is a high school classmate who is a strong Republican and a longtime hunter and gun owner. He’s a successful businessman in Iowa and one of the most reasonable people I know. I would describe him as a country club Republican.
He has been disturbed as much as the rest of us by the mass killings in American and, as a gun owner, has given a lot of thought to how they can be prevented. He took the time months ago to write a letter to his Senator with a recommended solution that involves the restricted sale of ammunition – as with other goods like Sudafed and cigarettes. After the recent killings in Dayton and El Paso, he shared it with me and asked me to send it to Amy Klobuchar. Continue reading
Door Knocking for Amy Klobuchar in Mason City
If you have a Twitter account and a blog that describes yourself as a Minnesota Democratic Volunteer and you support Amy Klobuchar for President, then you should volunteer to help Amy. That is why at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, I was riding to Mason City, Iowa, to door knock. Continue reading
We Need To Win The Senate
The question we should be asking 2020 Democratic Presidential candidates is not “Are you the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump?” but “Are you the best candidate to help us take back the Senate?” Let me explain. Continue reading
Heartland Forum Top Ten List
On Saturday March 30, Suzanne and I drove four hours to Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, to watch the Heartland Forum. This event provided the opportunity for 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to offer their vision for rural America and to answer questions from three moderators and some pre-selected members of the audience. Four candidates and one potential candidate took the bait: Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Elizabeth Warren, former Secretary of HUD Julian Castro, former Maryland Representative John Delaney, and Ohio Representative Tim Ryan. Continue reading
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