What Does Our Future Look Like?
At this pivotal moment in our political history, it's important to have a real and open conversation about the direction of our party.
Now more than ever, we need to decide on a clear path forward. I want to be a voice on our leadership team that will prioritize building a bigger tent - and a longer table - so we can all move forward and win together.
A Strong Treasurer, who makes it easy
I've supported more than a hundred candidates over the years, and I've seen many instances of entirely preventable stress and headaches, especially when new candidates and treasurers don't have everything they need up-front and accessible on campaign finance and donation management. When all of us are asking the same questions, there's no reason that your OU or campaign should have to make a 10th call to the CFB. That's why, in addition to the outlined duties of the DFL Treasurer in our Constitution & Bylaws, I've developed a working platform with deliverables that can help us all win:
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Centralized, transparent how-to guides on campaign finance compliance and being a treasurer.
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Creating how-to videos with tips for organizing your donations, managing call time, communicating with your candidate or organizing unit and more.
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Following teachers’ advice and making campaign finance and fundraising information fun so it’s easier to learn.
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Direct communication to donors so they understand how their resources are accelerating our ability to win and achieve change for the common good.
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Ensuring that all of the above materials are available in folks’ first languages.
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Responsive and frequent communication with DFL finance staff so the executive team can respond to what they need to continue to do their jobs in a stellar fashion.
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Monthly office hours for treasurers, SD chairs, campaign managers and candidates, hosted on Zoom and monthly in-person sessions in different regions of the state, available on varied times and days to account for anyone’s schedule (+ more frequently in campaign boom times.)
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The DFL Treasurer duties outlined in our C&B are small but essential. We're lucky to have the guidance and expertise of one of the best party finance teams in the country who handle filing and tracking. As your party Treasurer, you can trust me to organize and submit receipts and reimbursements, support a fair and independent audit, and present the most interesting and accessible Treasurer's reports the DFL's ever seen in addition to all of the ways I want to expand the role above.
A Strong DFL Leader, who increases trust
I'm running to join the DFL leadership team for so many reasons, but the most important among them is to increase trust in our party. At this critical moment, everyone - workers, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, immigrants, moderates, leftists, retirees, students, veterans, farmers, business owners - everyone should be able to find a place in our party. As long as you're not doing harm, I firmly believe there is no one right way to be a DFLer.
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A big part of ensuring everyone feels welcome is having a balanced leadership team that supports truly democratic processes and strong local organizing.
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That's why I'm committed to a vision for our party where our party leaders follow the lead of our local communities in selecting candidates and platforms. You know your communities best - party leaders should be there to provide resources, ideas, connections, and ensure a fair and equitable caucus and campaign process. I believe that my role, if elected, is not to pick and choose who should run or who can be successful. Once an endorsement is made, or a primary is won, I would do everything possible to support your chosen candidate - no matter what district you're in.
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I consider myself progressive, especially for the working class, but a strong Treasurer and party leader should be able to work with everyone. I've done this during my work on campaigns, in community organizing and at the Legislature where it's been my job to support many leaders regardless of individual political differences. It's our elected officials' jobs to govern and pass laws for the common good - it's party leaders' job to make sure they win elections so they can.
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I'm always happy to discuss political issues with anyone who asks, and I will always be a voice for the common good of all people in Minnesota - no matter your race, income, zip code, gender, sexuality, or beliefs. I'm always happy to offer perspective, but I don't believe it's my role to push my views on others. If elected, my role is going to be Team DFL and Team DFL Candidates.
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This common-sense approach has earned me the support of DFLers from across the state, even from some who may disagree on specific policy issues. Through this campaign, I'm doing my absolute best to model the big tent that we have to invest in if we want to succeed. Regardless of our differences, we need to come together to win. Just like Labor - the DFL needs some solidarity.
Vision
Look back to move forward.
When I think about the importance of winning elections, I think about these two photos. They remain a couple of my favorite photos I've ever taken.
This photo is from the election night party in 2016. So many of us remember the vibe in the room shifting drastically from hour to hour. This was after my first job in politics, interning for Angie Craig for Congress in her first run. I will do everything in my power to never feel that loss again, with so many of us going from dancing to sitting on the ground.
This photo captures potentially the most excitement I've ever felt in a room, at the InterContinental in 2022 after we won the trifecta. That trifecta would go on to turn the tides in our state, with the most productive and people-forward legislative session in recent Minnesota history. I will work hard, organize, and do everything possible to feel that feeling at every DFL election night party.
This is what I think of every time I knock a door, call a donor, plan an event, cut a turf, recruit a volunteer, craft a message, etc. For the good of our state and all its people, we need every election night to be a celebration. With this energy, some hard work, and coming together for this goal, we can make Minnesota a solidly blue state this decade.
