The Minnesota DFL Party announced Tuesday that former Vice President Joe Biden will be the keynote speaker for its upcoming state convention.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two-day convention will be held virtually on Saturday and Sunday. During the convention, the DFL will announce its U.S. Senate endorsement, as well as Minnesota’s DNC representatives, presidential electors, and delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Gov. Tim Walz, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and members of the DFL’s congressional delegation will deliver remarks alongside Biden.
DFL Chairman Ken Martin released a statement about the upcoming convention, but made no mention of Biden, who has been accused of sexual assault by a former Senate staffer, in his comments.
“I could not be more excited to gather virtually with DFL Party leaders and grassroots activists from around Minnesota to organize for the upcoming elections and hear from our endorsed candidates and elected officials. The end of the legislative session and our state convention will kick off one of the most important campaign seasons in our state’s history, and DFLers are ready to meet this moment,” said Martin.
He said the theme of the state convention will be “Minnesota Together,” similar to Walz’s “One Minnesota” campaign slogan.
“Donald Trump’s failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded DFLers what the stakes of the November elections truly are, which is why our party is taking nothing for granted. The DFL Party has a terrific slate of candidates running under our banner, a dedicated team of volunteers, and a track record of fighting for Minnesotans’ health, security, and economic opportunity,” Martin added.
Biden’s appearance at the convention comes amid reports that Klobuchar, a member of the DFL, is officially being vetted as a possible running mate. Klobuchar endorsed Biden for president at a March 2 rally, the same day she suspended her own campaign.
“As Democrats determine whether they should stand with Joe Biden amidst credible claims of sexual assault or if rural Minnesotans can survive under policies that kill ‘hundreds of thousands of blue collar jobs,’ one thing’s for certain – Joe Biden’s presence at Sunday’s DFL convention will only serve to fracture an already divided party,” RNC spokesperson Preya Samsundar said in a statement.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Joe Biden” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “Minnesota DFL” by Minnesota DFL.
