DFL Archives - The Minnesota Sun

Ilhan Omar Uses Misinformation in Interview to Push Abolishing Police

September 14, 2020September 13, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN-5) stated that the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) hasn’t solved half the homicides and destroys rape kits. Because of this, she says, the MPD should be dismantled.
“We can reimagine a public safety system that empowers and provides safety for every person in our city regardless of the color fo their skin or zip code,” the freshman congresswoman tweeted. “Dismantling the Minneapolis Police Department is necessary in order to heal and move forward as a community.”

DFL House Leaders Postpone Event with Pro-Riot Candidate Thompson After Widespread Pushback

September 9, 2020September 8, 2020 Corinne Murdock

The Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party has officially postponed its event with Democratic candidate John Thompson due to widespread pushback. A reporter with The Star Tribune announced the fundraiser’s indefinite delay.
However, DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman did not initially want to remove Thompson from the event.

Minnesota DFL House Leaders Will Host Fundraiser with Candidate Who Threatened to Burn Down Hugo

September 7, 2020September 6, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

The DFL House Caucus plans to host an official fundraising event this week with John Thompson, Alpha News has learned.

Thompson was at the center of a viral video captured by Alpha News last month in which he screamed profanities at a group of young girls and threatened to burn down a neighborhood. At one point he told a man holding a blue lives matter sign to “take that sign” and “stick it in your ass.”

Commentary: Can Trump Win Minnesota?

September 1, 2020August 31, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

How bad do things look for Joe Biden’s campaign right now? Consider this: Democrats are worried about Minnesota, a state no Republican presidential candidate has carried since Richard Nixon’s 1972 landslide. Yet polls show President Trump gaining ground in Minnesota, and Democrats are worried because they haven’t seen any appearances by Biden or his running mate Kamala Harris. “Why aren’t they here?” one Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party official told Minnesota Public Radio last week. “We need to hear from them. We need to see their presence on the ground.”

Biden’s peril in Minnesota is in many ways emblematic of everything that’s gone wrong for Democrats in this campaign. While the Real Clear Politics average of Minnesota polls still shows Biden leading Trump by more than five points, a poll by Emerson College earlier this month had Trump within three points, and a poll by the GOP-affiliated Trafalgar Group two weeks ago showed a tie in Minnesota. How could a state that twice gave majorities to Barack Obama, a state that not even Ronald Reagan could win in his 1984 landslide, be in play for Trump this year? Well, in a word, riots.

St. Paul Primary Winner John Thompson Leads BLM Protest to Police Union Leader’s Neighborhood, Calls for Violence

August 17, 2020August 17, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Over the weekend, Democratic candidate John Thompson spoke at a Black Lives Matter protest by the home of police union leader Lt. Bob Kroll. Thompson recently won the Democratic primary for District 62A in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Multiple video coverages of Thompson’s seven-minute speech show him calling for violence against the “racists” of Hugo, Minnesota.

DFL Files Campaign Finance Complaint Against Ilhan Omar’s Challenger Melton-Meaux

August 7, 2020August 6, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) filed a complaint against Democratic challenger Antone Melton-Meaux, claiming that his campaign created LLCs to shield the identity of several consultants and donors. The DFL filed the complaint exactly one week before the upcoming primary on August 11.

DFL Targets State Senate Republicans on Police Reform in New Ad Campaign

July 11, 2020July 10, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Minnesota DFL Party launched a new ad campaign this week targeting key Republican state senators who are accused of “standing in the way of passing real police reform.”

Jason Lewis, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, said in a recent interview that Democrats don’t “want reform” so much as they “want a political issue.”

Minnesota Lawmakers Unveil $300M Plan to Rebuild from George Floyd Riots

June 16, 2020June 16, 2020 The Associated Press

Democrats who control the Minnesota House announced a $300 million economic aid proposal Monday for businesses that were damaged or destroyed during the civil unrest over the death of George Floyd.

The legislation is aimed at commercial corridors in lower income neighborhoods that were hardest hit as protests over Floyd’s May 25 death while in Minneapolis police custody turned violent. Many of the affected small businesses along Lake Street and Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis, and University Avenue in St. Paul, are owned by people of color and immigrants.

DFL Lawmaker Wants Portrait of Lincoln Removed from Minnesota House Chamber

June 13, 2020June 12, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A DFL lawmaker revealed on Twitter this week that she’s “tried a bunch of times” to get a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln removed from the Minnesota House chamber.

State Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL-New Brighton) said it’s “hard to look at” House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) when she’s “standing in front of Lincoln.”

DFL Lawmakers Want State and Federal Aid to Rebuild Minneapolis

June 6, 2020June 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

DFL lawmakers want the state and federal governments to chip in to help repair the estimated $55 million in damage caused to Minneapolis in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus called for “immediate legislative funding for Minneapolis and St. Paul rebuilding efforts” in a joint statement.

After Backing Alleged Domestic Abuser Keith Ellison, Minnesota Dems Say State Rep Is ‘Trivializing’ Domestic Abuse

May 22, 2020May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Minnesota DFL Party, which supported accused domestic abuser Keith Ellison in his run for attorney general, criticized a Republican lawmaker Thursday for “trivializing the severity of domestic abuse.”

Keith Ellison Stands by Omar After Strong DFL Challenger Emerges

May 10, 2020May 9, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has endorsed Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) for a second term in Congress.

“I see U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar as a leader who is disrupting conventional wisdom and challenging 50 years of thinking that has brought us stunning inequality, weakened public institutions and an utter lack of preparedness for a global pandemic,” Ellison said in an endorsement of Omar in The Star Tribune.

After Mocking ‘Liberate Minnesota’ Protest, State Media, Politicians Silent on Minneapolis Gun Violence Demonstration

April 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota’s political establishment and mainstream media mocked and condemned the Trump-backed protesters who gathered outside the Governor’s Residence Friday, but were silent just two days later when hundreds gathered for a demonstration in Minneapolis.

According to the St. Paul Police Department, an estimated 800 people were in attendance at Friday’s “Liberate Minnesota” protest, which called for an end to Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Klobuchar Calls for National Vote by Mail in New York Times Op-Ed

April 19, 2020April 18, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) called for nationwide mail-in voting in a recent op-ed published in The New York Times.

Minnesota Democrats Push for Ballot Harvesting, Drop Boxes in COVID-19 Response

April 13, 2020April 12, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Democrats are pushing for several sweeping election changes to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic, including universal mail-in ballots and even ballot drop-boxes.

Bill Seeks to Close Minnesota’s ‘Gender Wage Gap’ by Banning Employers from Asking About Pay History

March 15, 2020March 14, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A DFL bill seeks to close Minnesota’s “gender wage gap” by prohibiting employers from asking about an applicant’s past pay.

DFL Proposes Constitutional Amendment on Voting in Response to GOP Push for Voter ID

March 8, 2020March 7, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Democrats have proposed an amendment to the state constitution guaranteeing the right to “free, fair, and equal” elections in response to Republican efforts to pass a voter ID law.

Archbishop Hebda Tells Priests Not to Vote in Primary Because of Privacy Concerns

March 1, 2020February 29, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Archbishop Bernard Hebda urged clergy in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to “abstain from voting” in Minnesota’s March 3 presidential primary.

Minnesota Dems Seek to Repeal Informed Consent Requirements for Abortions

February 27, 2020February 26, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A Democrat-backed bill making its way through the Minnesota Legislature seeks to repeal the state’s informed consent laws for abortion.

DFL Bill Would Prohibit Minnesota Jails From Contracting With ICE

February 21, 2020February 20, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new DFL-backed bill would prohibit local governments from contracting with federal agencies like ICE for the purpose of detaining illegal immigrants.

‘Gun-Free’ Businesses Would Be Held Responsible for Shootings Under New Minnesota Bill

February 18, 2020February 17, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new bill introduced in the Minnesota House would allow gun owners to pursue civil litigation if they suffer an injury, or worse, while in a gun-free zone.

House DFL Unveils Bill to Use Nearly $500 Million of Budget Surplus for Early Childhood Education

February 16, 2020February 15, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota House DFLers unveiled their “Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act” this week, a nearly $500 million investment in early childhood education.

What Is the Minnesota DFL Party?

February 15, 2020February 15, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Since many of our stories receive national attention, readers are often confused by the odd acronym frequently appearing in our headlines. What the heck is the DFL? And who is a DFLer?

Minnesota Democrats Introduce Bill Mandating What Drinks Restaurants Can Serve with Children’s Meals

February 14, 2020February 13, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A group of Minnesota House Democrats introduced a bill this week that would require restaurants to serve certain drinks as the “default beverage” for children’s meals.

State Senator Accuses DFL of Sending ‘Mixed Messages’ on Weed and Vaping

February 10, 2020February 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A Minnesota Republican thinks his Democratic colleagues are sending “mixed messages” to Minnesotans on the impact of substance use.

Minnesota Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Ban Hair-Based Discrimination

February 6, 2020February 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A Minnesota Democrat introduced a bill last week that would ban discrimination based on “hair texture and hair styles.”

Tim Walz Raised $1 Million for Reelection During First Year in Office

February 1, 2020January 31, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Gov. Tim Walz announced Friday that he raised more than $1 million in 2019 for his reelection, but he won’t face voters again until 2022.

Tim Walz Raised $1 Million for Reelection During First Year in Office

February 1, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Gov. Tim Walz announced Friday that he raised more than $1 million in 2019 for his reelection, but he won’t face voters again until 2022.

Keith Ellison Goes on Rant Against Voter ID Laws: ‘Clearly a Bad Thing’

January 27, 2020January 27, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said laws requiring voters to present a photo ID are “clearly a bad thing” in a Sunday Twitter rant. “If you believe that elections should be decided by We the People, then photo ID is clearly a bad thing. In Minnesota, we beat the…

Accusations Fly in Fight Over Voter Data from Minnesota Primary

January 26, 2020January 25, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

State party leaders exchanged a number of accusations throughout the week regarding the release of voter data under Minnesota’s presidential primary law.

DFL Lawmakers Announce ‘Religious Freedom Day’ Resolution Condemning ‘Islamophobia,’ Promoting ‘Religious Pluralism’

January 17, 2020January 16, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Two DFL lawmakers plan to introduce a “Religious Freedom Day” resolution that condemns “Islamophobia” and celebrates “religious pluralism.”

Minnesota State Senator ‘Deeply Disturbed’ by DFL Leader’s Threat to Cut Funding from County Over Refugees

January 11, 2020January 10, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A Minnesota senator said he is “deeply disturbed” by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler’s (DFL-Golden Valley) threat to cut state aid from Beltrami County after it voted to opt out of refugee resettlement.

Ilhan Omar Goes After Rural Minnesota County for Rejecting Refugees

January 11, 2020May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) accused Beltrami County of “denying refugees a chance at a better life” after it voted to opt out of refugee resettlement.

Omar Says She Feels ‘Stricken with PTSD’ Over Iran Tensions, Then Laughs and Jokes While Colleague Discusses Dead Soldiers

January 10, 2020January 9, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) said she feels “ill” and “stricken with PTSD” in response to the conflict with Iran before she laughed and joked with her peers while a colleague discussed U.S. casualties in Iraq just moments later.

DFL House Leader Threatens Minnesota County for Voting Against Refugee Resettlement

January 9, 2020January 8, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A high-ranking Minnesota lawmaker is threatening to withhold state aid from Beltrami County after it became the first county in the state to opt out of refugee resettlement.

Minnesota Senate GOP Announces Plan for ‘Clean Energy First’ Legislation

January 6, 2020January 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Senate Republicans said they plan to introduce a “Clean Energy First” bill during the upcoming legislative session that will “prioritize clean energy” and “modernize Minnesota’s energy resources.” According to the Associated Press, several different versions of the “Clean Energy First” legislation were introduced during the last session, but…

Minnesota Teachers Union Plans to ‘Defeat Trumpism,’ Get Out ‘100 Percent’ of Teacher Vote in 2020

January 6, 2020January 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota’s largest teachers union has named “defeating Trumpism” and getting out 100 percent of the educator vote as some of its goals for the 2020 election cycle.

DFL Lawmaker Cleared of Wrongdoing in Accepting University of Minnesota Position

January 1, 2020December 31, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A report released Monday “completely exonerates” Minnesota Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) from allegations of illicit lobbying activity, according to House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park).

DFL Accuses Senate Republicans of Holding ‘Fake Hearing on Gun Safety’

December 28, 2019December 30, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A recent Minnesota Senate hearing reignited the debate surrounding the state’s firearm laws and prompted DFL lawmakers to renew their calls for red flag legislation and universal background checks.

Republicans Slam Minnesota Sentencing Commission for Plan to Cap Probation for ‘Heinous Crimes’

December 22, 2019December 21, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Republican lawmakers say an expected cap on probation in Minnesota would result in lenient sentences for a number of “heinous crimes like domestic assault, sex trafficking, and gang-related crimes.”

DFL Chair Says Trump Left the House ‘With No Possible Alternative’

December 20, 2019December 19, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin applauded the U.S. House for voting to impeach President Donald Trump, but claimed that it brings him “no joy.”

Senate DFL Launches New ‘Climate Caucus’ to Push Walz’s Climate Agenda Through Senate

December 15, 2019December 14, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

DFL members of the Minnesota Senate announced the formation of a new “Senate DFL Clean Energy and Climate Caucus” last week.

Justice Democrats Candidate for Minnesota House Wants to Pass ‘Sanctuary State’ Law, Says Cars Aren’t a ‘Long Term Transportation Plan’

December 14, 2019December 13, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A graduate of the Justice Democrats’ “Movement School” recently launched a campaign for Minnesota House District 60A, which was left vacant after the passing of Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Minneapolis).