WoMN Focus

Elect Women Magazine has taken a look at the 29 current female candidates running for governor in 2010. Minnesota’s Margaret Anderson Kelliher makes the list of the top 16 most viable.

Be sure to check out the entire list here.

During the seven years that Republican governor Tim Pawlenty has led Minnesota, the state has seen numerous road blocks added to impede women’s access to abortion services. A 24-hour waiting period after meeting with a doctor was implemented, forcing low income women and rural women with no nearby access to doctors to take more time away from work or families. The Women’s Right to Know law was enacted, making women read over extensive and in some cases just wrong information before having an abortion, including a section that states incorrectly that abortion may be linked to breast cancer. And clinics that provide or even mention abortion services are being cut off from any state funding.

However, Pawlenty has chosen to not run for re-election, possibly hoping instead to position himself as the GOP nominee for President. In the wake of his announcement, 11 democratic candidates have filed to run for governor. Of those 11 candidates, ten came to speak with reporters, bloggers, and advocacy groups at an event called “Netroots Nation, Minnesota.” At a Q&A session, I submitted the following question:

Tim Pawlenty has used his 8 years as governor to roll back women’s access to reproductive health more than any governor in recent history. Despite heavy DFL majorities in in the legislature, there has been no effort made to change this via legislation. If you are elected governor, will you make it a priority to remove such roadblocks to abortion access such as the 24 hour waiting period, the state based gag rule, or the sometimes factually inaccurate information provided in the “women’s right to know” information act?

Although the question was edited slightly, it was asked of the panel. The following video shows their answers.

It’s been a long time, and there is a LOT of catching up to do. So here we go!

Gubernatorial candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher received her third union endorsement last week, this time from the Greater MN AFSCME Council 65. She then capped off last week by winning the DFL side of the gubernatorial straw poll at the Minnesota Farmer’s Union’s yearly meeting.

MnpACT has an interview with Dr. Maureen Hackett, DFL Candidate in CD 3. Among the standard questions, they delve into the controversy surrounding her previous donations to non-DFL candidates. Hackett addresses the scandal, stating, “I’m a Democrat and have overwhelmingly given to Democrats and Democratic causes, both locally, other state races, and nationally. On some occasions I have given to promote ideas. I have also given money to have access to events.”

Smart Politics takes note of the percentage of female donors contributing to the two women vying for the DFL endorsement in the 6th CD congressional race, with both State Senator Tarryl Clark and former IP Lt. Gov. candidate Maureen Reed receiving almost 50% of their campaign contributions from women.

And, speaking of Smart Politics, a post I have been meaning to link to for weeks now, “When Will Minnesota (or Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota…) Elect a Woman as Governor?” The summary? In Minnesota and/or Wisconsin, 2010 may finally be the year.

Tomorrow is the launch of the two day Netroots Nation Minnesota conference, and I’m unbelievably excited to attend. There are many panels, both blogger focused and otherwise that I can’t wait to watch, and I’m hoping that we will get a good sized crowd for my session, Blog-a-sota, which will be held at 9 am in the Ballroom (please come, they gave me the BIG ROOM for cryin’ out loud!).

But one of the highlights will likely be the DFL gubernatorial panel held Friday night. If you have a question you would like to see answered, you can tweet it with the hashtag #nmn09gov, or, if you are like me and need more than 140 characters, you can send an email to: questionsATnetrootsminnesotaDOTorg

Or, maybe you would like to make sure my question gets asked? If so, please consider emailing or tweeting the above contacts and tell them that you support women’s choice in Minnesota, and would like to know how the candidates would answer the following:

Tim Pawlenty has used his 8 years as governor to roll back women’s access to reproductive health more than any governor in recent history. Despite heavy DFL majorities in in the legislature, there has been no effort made to change this via legislation. If you are elected governor, will you make it a priority to remove such roadblocks to abortion access such as the 24 hour waiting period, the state based gag rule, or the sometimes factually inaccurate information provided in the “women’s right to know” information act?

via Star Tribune:

Four months after entering the governor’s race, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, had no union endorsements. Now she has two.

Today, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 endorsed the Kelliher’s bid for governor. Last week, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees announced it would back her.

In a news release, Local 49 business manager Glen Johnson praised Kelliher’s role in the 2008 override of Gov. Pawlenty’s veto of a gas tax bill.

“The transportation bill override was the largest job-creating bill in decades, and Margaret made it happen,” he said.

Wendy Stuhr, a crane operator and endorsement committee member, said Kelliher was the unanimous choice.

There are still some major union endorsements yet to come — including those from Education Minnesota and Service Employees International Union.

An interesting post today from the Minnesota Independent regarding the latest in the 6th district congressional race. As if the never ending senate battle of 2008 wasn’t bad enough, it appears that Senator Al Franken and former Senator Norm Coleman are getting ready to duke it out again — this time, via their favorite congressional candidates:

As if Michele Bachmann’s 2010 re-election battle wasn’t already going to be a doozy, it’s begun shaping up as a proxy war between the forces of U.S. Sen. Al Franken and the man he bested in Minnesota’s recount, former Sen. Norm Coleman. “The eyes of the nation — and Michele Bachmann’s right-wing allies — will be on this race,” Franken wrote in an email today on behalf of Bachmann rival Tarryl Clark. ”I have no doubt [Bachmann] is going to get re-elected by her constituents,” Coleman told an audience at Harvard University Tuesday night.

Regardless of the outcome, I’m sure we can all agree on one thing — please don’t let this race drag on into 2011.

Via Polinaut:

Polinaut
< The Daily Digest | Main | Pawlenty to speak in Alabama in February >
MAPE backs Kelliher for governor

Posted at 11:48 AM on November 12, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Minnesota Governor

mape028.JPG
Minnesota’s second largest public employee union is backing DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher in her 2010 bid for governor.

Officials with the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) screened all of the DFL candidates and one Republican earlier this week. But the union’s executive director, Jim Monroe, says Kelliher stood out with her proven leadership skills. During a State Capitol news conference today, Monroe also described Kelliher as the most electable candidate in the field.

“Speaker Kelliher is willing to bring people together to solve problems in a crisis,” Monroe said. “She has a history of respect for state workers and the work that they do.”

MAPE is Kelliher’s first labor endorsement. The state’s largest public employee union, AFSCME Council 5, is backing Mark Dayton for governor.

CLARK ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TEAM

Team has deep Minnesota roots, experience, and record of unseating incumbents.

St. Cloud, MN — State Senator Tarryl Clark today announced key members of her campaign team, who bring a wealth of Minnesota experience and a record of unseating incumbents to Clark’s campaign for Congress in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District against Michele Bachmann.

“This is a winning team, with years of experience in the 6th District and in high-profile, competitive campaigns across Minnesota and across the country,” said Clark. “I look forward to working with them to build a true grassroots campaign as we address the issues that really matter to Minnesota’s families: creating jobs and rebuilding the economy, making healthcare more affordable, investing in transportation and infrastructure, and ensuring fiscal responsibility in Washington.”

Clark’s campaign team includes:

Zach Rodvold is serving as Campaign Manager. Rodvold joins the campaign from the office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, where he served as State Director. Rodvold led Klobuchar’s field operation during her 2006 campaign for Senate, winning the 6th Congressional District with over 50% of the vote, and defeating 6th District Congressman Mark Kennedy in his own district. Rodvold has also served as GOTV Director for the Obama-Biden campaign in Minnesota; 6th District Field Director and, later, State Director for Americans United to Protect Social Security; and on a variety of political and issue campaigns in Minnesota and beyond, beginning with the 2002 campaign of the late Senator Paul Wellstone.

Lauren Beecham will join the campaign as Finance Director, having most recently served in the same capacity for Chris Coleman’s landslide victory in the Saint Paul Mayor’s race this year. Prior to leading Coleman’s fundraising efforts, Beecham was Deputy Finance Director for Senator Al Franken’s campaign.

Rounding out the Clark campaign staff: Nicole Wittig-Geske, who previously served as Deputy 6th Congressional District Field Director for the DFL’s 2008 Coordinated campaign; Stacey Springer, a former Chair of the St. Cloud State College Democrats; and policy adviser Emily Lawrence, who previously served as Legislative Director for Congresswoman Betty McCollum and as Leadership Assistant to Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe.

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQRR) has been chosen as the campaign’s pollsters. GQRR has a long history of working with Minnesota candidates and organizations, including Vice President Walter Mondale, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak, State Senator Ted Mondale, the Minnesota DFL Party, Education Minnesota, the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota and Growth and Justice. GQRR is a Democratic polling firm that provides research and strategic advice, with experience in over 80 countries and a list of clients that includes President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and South African President Nelson Mandela.

Leading the research and strategic consulting effort is firm President Al Quinlan, who has advised a broad range of political candidates and elected officials, including Vice President Walter Mondale and Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tim Johnson, Tom Daschle, Mary Landrieu, Chris Dodd, and Jeff Bingaman. Quinlan also provides strategic guidance to Governors Bill Richardson, Ed Rendell, John Lynch and David Paterson. In the 2008 cycle, Quinlan advised several winning candidates, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Tom Udall, and Representatives John Adler and Gary Peters.

Laguens Kully Klose Partners will serve as the campaign’s media consultants. LKK Partners are veterans of nearly a dozen Minnesota campaigns, including: the ballot initiative campaign to pass the historic Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, which won the 6th Congressional District in 2008; Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak; and the Minnesota DFL House Caucus’ 2006 and 2008 efforts that increased the DFL majority by more than 20 seats. LKK Partners has a particular specialty in beating Republican incumbents, having helped elect Senators Jon Tester (MT) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Congressmen Walt Minnick (ID), Jim Himes (CT), Tom Udall (NM), and Dennis Moore (KS), all over sitting Republicans. The firm has won more than 25 “Pollie” awards for its efforts, including more awards in 2008 for online video communications than any other Democratic media firm.

The Southpaw Group, led by Justin Buoen, continues to advise the campaign’s fundraising efforts. Buoen served as Midwest Finance Director for John Edwards for President and as Deputy Finance Director for Senator Amy Klobuchar, where he led her Minnesota fundraising efforts. Justin has worked on numerous campaigns, including as 6th District Field Director for the Kerry/Edwards campaign in 2004. In Clark’s first quarter of fundraising, Buoen led the campaign’s efforts to raise more than $308,000 in just nine weeks, making Clark one of the top fundraising challengers in the nation.

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MEDIA ADVISORY
November 4, 2009
CONTACT: Andrea Mokros, 651-210-4203

CLARK TO OPEN ST. CLOUD CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS
Welcomes supporters and public to join the campaign for Congress

St. Cloud, MN – State Senator Tarryl Clark will officially open her St. Cloud Campaign Headquarters this Saturday, November 7, 2009. Clark will welcome supporters and public to the new office with a celebration and opportunities to become part of her campaign for Congress.

WHO: Tarryl Clark and her supporters

WHEN: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

WHERE: Clark Campaign HQ, 3335 West St. Germain St, Suite 109, St. Cloud, MN

The Clark campaign is off to a strong start, having already received support from thousands across the district. In her first quarter, Clark raised more than $308,000 from more than 2,400 individuals. Clark’s campaign has also earned numerous endorsements and the support of elected officials and individuals from all corners of the 6th Congressional District.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.tarrylclark.com

WoMNFocus would like to congratulate the following women on their victories last night:

City Council

Diane Hofstede – ward 3
Barb Johnson – ward 4
Lisa Goodman – ward 7
Elizabeth Glidden – ward 8
Meg Tuthill – ward 10
Sandy Colvin Roy – ward 12
Betsy Hodges – ward 13

Park Board

Liz Wielinski
Anita Tabb

Board of Estimation and Taxation

Carol Becker

Data and results can be found here.