“First in the nation” Minneapolis elections face shortage of precincts, turnout disparities

As we learned after last November’s midterm, Minneapolis voters have a lot to be proud of. The city’s top election official, City Clerk Casey Carl, presented a report yesterday touting Minneapolis’ “first in the nation turnout” that “exceeded averages for the state of Minnesota and the entire nation.”

Turnout of voting-age citizens in Minneapolis was 68% in the 2018 general election. The statewide average was 64%.

Continue reading ““First in the nation” Minneapolis elections face shortage of precincts, turnout disparities”

Hennepin County District 2 Candidates Field Questions from the Business Community

At an early morning candidate forum hosted by the Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, Irene Fernando and Blong Yang fielded questions on matters of concern to the business community in Hennepin County’s District 2.

It was way too early to livetweet, so here are some things that stood out to me. Continue reading “Hennepin County District 2 Candidates Field Questions from the Business Community”

Rebecca Gagnon: Wrong for Minneapolis School Board

It has nothing to do with schools, but here’s an under the radar story from last year that explains what’s wrong with Rebecca Gagnon, who is running for re-election to the Minneapolis school board. It’s a story about billboard regulations. How does a school board member get mixed up with billboard regulations? Up until this year, Gagnon had been the school board’s representative on the City Planning Commission. Continue reading “Rebecca Gagnon: Wrong for Minneapolis School Board”

Irene Fernando for Hennepin County Board, District 2

It will be no surprise that I am endorsing Irene Fernando over Blong Yang for the open seat on the Hennepin County Board in District 2. There are many reasons you should vote for Irene Fernando, which you can read in the second half of this post. You’re fortunate if you have the chance to vote for her. But first, I have unpleasant memories of Blong Yang in his previous job that I must share with you. Continue reading “Irene Fernando for Hennepin County Board, District 2”

Dave Hutch for Hennepin County Sheriff

Dave Hutch is available on your ballot. “WEDGE” hat is available in the Wedge LIVE store.

Hennepin County Sheriff is a non-partisan office. But that only applies to what’s printed on the ballot; the candidates really do have political affiliations.

Rich Stanek is the Trump-supporting, ICE-cooperating, Republican incumbent, who once admitted to using racial slurs while on the job. The admission about racial slurs came in a deposition when he was sued for police brutality (the case ended in a settlement). In 2006, Stanek used $30,000 in sheriff’s office training funds to produce a “not-so-thinly-veiled campaign video,” depicting events in the aftermath of the I-35 bridge collapse. In 2016, Stanek sent officers to North Dakota to assist in putting down the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Continue reading “Dave Hutch for Hennepin County Sheriff”

Angela Conley for Hennepin County Board, District 4

There’s a lot of talk this year about Hennepin County never having had a person of color serve on the board. It’s a big deal, if not surprising. It needs to change. But if you haven’t entirely tuned into the campaign in District 4, you might have the false impression that the arguments here are entirely about identity. They’re not. Continue reading “Angela Conley for Hennepin County Board, District 4”

Local Elections are Happening in 2018

We’re less than two months from election day on November 6. As you’re likely aware, this is a pretty important national election. A great way to get involved during this critical time is with a local campaign. Turning out voters for local DFL candidates (as the Democratic Party is known in Minnesota) means you’ve likely turned out votes for Democratic candidates all the way up the ballot: for governor, the state legislature, and US House and Senate races.

If you live in Minneapolis, the most consequential 2018 races are for offices in Hennepin County. If you care about policing, there’s the sheriff’s race. If you care about criminal justice issues, there’s the county attorney. If you care about housing, transit, health care, and human services, there are two competitive races for the Hennepin County Board, which controls a massive budget of $2.4 billion (for context, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey recently proposed a 2019 budget of $1.6 billion). You should find a reason to feel strongly about one or more of the candidates below. They need your help over the next two months.

Please note: this list is for informational purposes only. These are not endorsements. Some of the candidates listed below are terrible. Wedge LIVE endorsements will be announced at a later time. For more information about these candidates, and those in next door Ramsey County, consult MSP Votes.

Hennepin County Board District 2

Irene Fernando (DFL endorsed) – VolunteerDonate
Blong Yang – VolunteerDonate

Hennepin County Board District 4

Angela Conley – VolunteerDonate
Peter McLaughlin (incumbent) – Donate

Hennepin County Attorney

Mike Freeman (incumbent) – Donate
Mark Haase (DFL endorsed) – VolunteerDonate

Hennepin County Sheriff

Dave Hutch (DFL endorsed) – VolunteerDonate
Rich Stanek (Republican, incumbent)

Minneapolis School Board At-Large

(You vote for two candidates)

Kimberly Caprini (DFL endorsed) – Donate
Rebecca Gagnon (incumbent) – Donate
Josh Pauly (DFL endorsed) – Volunteer – Donate
Sharon El-Amin VolunteerDonate

MN House 62A Endorsement: Jen Kader

My first impression of District 62A candidate Jen Kader has stuck with me since watching her at a candidate forum back in January. Jen is among a handful of first-time candidates competing in 62A, and she stood out as far and away the most prepared person on that stage. It’s the mark of someone who has been working on — and passionate about — the issues since long before she considered becoming a candidate.

Me discovering a great candidate.

Jen has a decade of community organizing and environmental advocacy experience that includes founding MN350, an organization devoted to fighting climate change. Through her job at the Freshwater Society, she works at the State Capitol finding ways to protect Minnesota’s freshwater resources. As a board member of her neighborhood organization, and as a founder of both the Whittier Project and the Give-a-Shit social club, she’s volunteered countless hours to breaking down barriers to political participation in Minneapolis. Jen is a frequent transit rider and bike commuter who knows firsthand why it’s essential to fund a transportation system — from sidewalks to buses — that works for everyone in our city.

Jen is endorsed by outgoing 62A Rep. Karen Clark (a dual-endorsement shared with fellow 62A candidate Margarita Ortega) and Minneapolis Park Board President Brad Bourn, among others.

Jen is steady, experienced, and always prepared. Observing her campaign over the last several months, I’ve found her to be wonderfully kind, earnest and unassuming. I’m proud to endorse Jen Kader; I know she’ll make the residents of District 62A proud if they elect her to the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Vote in the primary August 14! Visit Jen’s website to volunteer.

MN House District 62A extends roughly from Lyndale Avenue to Hiawatha (west to east), and from I-94 to Lake Street (north to south). Use your address to see which races and candidates are on your ballot.

District 62A