SPECIAL ELECTION CANDIDATE PROFILE: Public Servant want to make comeback and aiming for higher office. Paul Ostrow is running for State Senate

Former Minneapolis City Council President Paul Ostrow want to run for State Senate on grassroots level, refuse to accept contributions from lobbyists as he have done in the past. He was on Minneapolis City Council from 1998 until 2009 representing First Ward but served as Council President from 2002 until 2005.

His issues are: Campaign Finance Law, Education, and is in favor of new stadium for Minnesota Vikings.

Candidate Information: 

Name: Paul Ostrow

Political Party: DFL

Age: Unknown

Home: Minneapolis

Family: Wife, Julie Mattson Ostrow; Two children, Matthew and Emily

Occupation: Assistant Anoka County Attorney

Education:  University of Minnesota Law School and St. Olaf College

Endorsements: Unknown

Contact information: 

Website: http://ostrowforsenate.com/

SPECIAL ELECTION CANDIDATE PROFILE: Former Wellstone Staffer wants to move on to State Capitol from County Courthouse, Kari Dziedzic want to replace Pogemiller

Daughter of Former Minneapolis Alderman and Park Board Member Walter Dziedzic is only woman out of all man candidates vying for State Senate seat that is vacated by Larry Pogemiller. She would be first woman to represent the area if she made the cut.

Her issues are: Infrastructure, Education, Environment/Clean Water, Equal Rights, neighborhoods/Affordable Housing, Property Taxes, Protecting the Safety Net, Public Safety, Opposes new stadium for Vikings.

Candidate Information: 

Name: Kari Dziedzic

Political Party: DFL

Age: Unknown

Home: Minneapolis

Family: Single

Occupation: Policy Aide for Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Stenglein

Education:  University of Minnesota Institute of Technology

Endorsements: Women Winning, Minneapolis Firefighters Local 82, Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades,  MN Professional Firefighters, Teamsters Joint Council 32, Police Officers' Federation of Minneapolis

Contact information: 

Website: http://www.kariforsenate.com/

Twitter: @Kari4Senate

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kari-Dziedzic-for-Minnesota-State-Senate/102373066543665?sk=wall

SPECIAL ELECTION CANDIDATE PROFILE: Policy Wonk wants to move on to next level from City Hall to State Capitol, Peter Wagenius want to be State Senator this time

Former Senate Staffer, Son of State Representative Jean Wagenius, and Mayoral Aide to RT Rybak, Peter Wagenius is one of early candidate that jumped into Special Senate Election besides Jacob Frey. He lives with his new wife, Mandy are restoring their 122 years old house in Prospect Park Neighborhood. He has been recognized in the media as a top campaign strategist by helping candidates winning offices and is very active in DFL party..

His issues are: Tax Fairness, Honest Budget, Public Safety, E-12 Education, Higher Education, Transit, Environment, Equal Rights, and Clean Open Elections.

When he is not campaigning or working, he loves to go out on bike rides, he likes watching classic movies at The Heights, swing dancing, and restoring old furniture.

Candidate Information: 

Name: Peter Wagenius

Political Party: DFL

Age: 40

Home: Minneapolis (14 years in district)

Family: Wife Mandy

Occupation: Policy Director for Minneapolis Mayor’s Office

Education:  Unknown

Endorsements: Sierra Club

Contact information: 

Website: http://www.peterwagenius.org/

Twitter: @PeterWagenius

TONIGHT'S SPECIAL ELECTION FORUM IN SENATE DISTRICT 59

If you are a political junkie and have nothing to do tonight or are paying attention to latest special election, here is something that you could do tonight.

The 2011 State Senate Special Election Candidate Forum is a DFL event for the six DFL candidates on the December 6, 2011 DFL primary election ballot. The candidates will respond to questions and address the public prior to the primary election at this event. The Forum is intended to inform, educate and empower the public to make an informed decision in the upcoming primary election. The agenda will include a variety of questions and information of public interest. The Forum is free and open to the public. 

Live Streaming 

The Forum will be streamed live on The UpTake at: http://www.theuptake.org/ 

The content will be available for online on-demand viewing from The UpTake and via the Senate 

District 59 DFL web site. 

Please check the Senate District 59 DFL web site after November 15, 2011 for further details: 

http://www.sd-59.org 

Event Details: 

DATE:   Wednesday November 30, 2011 

TIME:   6:30PM – 9:00PM 

LOCATION:  Sheridan Arts Magnet School Auditorium 

   1201 University Ave. NE • Minneapolis, MN 55413 

   (Corner of Broadway ST NE and University Ave NE)

PARKING:  Limited parking is available in the rear parking lot + along 4th ST NE, and 

adjacent to the school in legal neighborhood spaces

ACCESSIBILITY: The site is fully accessible and there will be CART services for Deaf people who are going.

BUS ACCESS: The site is on a regular bus line 

SPECIAL ELECTION CANDIDATE PROFILE: Running for office turned into reality after running in marathons, Jacob Frey wants to run for State Senate

One of early candidate jumped into State Senate race was Jacob Frey, a trial lawyer for a private practice and is very active in DFL Party and community with progressive values. He lives in Northeast Minneapolis with his wife, Michelle who he met at Twin Cities Marathon. Jacob grew up on East Coast but fell in love with Minnesota when he was vacationing and decided to spend his life in Minneapolis.

Frey’s issues are: Jobs, Taxes, Marriage for equality and opposed to marriage amendment, oppose funding for new stadium, Education, Early Childhood Education, Local Government Aid, Neighborhood Revitalization Program, Public Safety, and Don’t Dump on Northeast.

Candidate Information: 

Name: Jacob Frey

Political Party: DFL

Age: 30

Home: Minneapolis

Family: Wife Michelle

Occupation: Attorney at Faegre & Benson, DFL and Community Activist

Education: The College of William and Mary and Villanova University

Contact information: 

Website: http://www.jacobfreyforsenate.com

Twitter: @Jacob_Frey

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/FreyForSenate

MINNESOTA DFL FIRST TV AD SUPPORTING MARK DAYTON

Here it is: Minnesota DFL Party's first TV commerical on Mark Dayton, their endrosee.

DFL moves party convention from June to April

Source: KARE 11

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota DFL Party says it will hold next year's state convention two months earlier than previously scheduled, moving it to the week before the state GOP convention.

The DFL said Saturday its convention will be in Duluth from April 23-25, instead of in June as previously planned.

The state Republican convention is slated to run from April 29 to May 1 in Minneapolis.

DFL Chair Brian Melendez says the party's decision to move its convention up two months will make its endorsed candidate even more competitive.

He says DFLers will have more time to rally behind their candidate, which will help the party build momentum for the general election.

GOP to endorse choice for governor in Minneapolis next year

Pioneer Press

Updated: 08/24/2009


Just as they did in the last governor's race, Minnesota Republicans will gather in Minneapolis next year to endorse a candidate for the state's top office.

State GOP Chairman Tony Sutton said Monday that the late-April event will be at the Minneapolis Convention Center. That is more than a month before the traditional state convention season.

Republicans met there in 2006 when Gov. Tim Pawlenty was endorsed for his second and final term. At least nine Republicans are vying for the party nod.

Democrats will gather in Duluth for their three-day state convention beginning June 4

— Associated Press

Rally and Canvass with Representatives McCollum and Ellison

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Location: DFL State Headquarters

Street:255 E Plato Blvd

Phone: 6512516318

Email: ofaminnesota@dnc.org

As Minnesotans, we know we need health insurance reform. We are sick of a few loud people dominating this debate.

Please join us for a rally in support of reform. The rally will be followed by a canvass, where we will hit the streets and talk to our friends and neighbors about the need for reform this year!

Featured speakers include:Congresswoman Betty McCollum Congressman Keith Ellison St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak Representative Erin Murphy

Another DFLer wants chance to face Bachmann in 2010 race

Star Tribune

July 29, 2009

Another DFLer hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District next year.

State Sen. Tarryl Clark announced Wednesday she had filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for the seat.

An attorney from St. Cloud, Clark is the assistant Senate majority leader and has held her seat since 2005.

In an e-mail to supporters, Clark said she will abide by the party's endorsement next year.

Clark had been considered a possible gubernatorial candidate for 2010.

Her formal entry into the congressional contest creates a three-way race among Democrats to beat Bachmann in the north suburban district.

This week, Elwyn Tinklenberg announced his third attempt at the seat. A former mayor of Blaine, he served as state transportation commissioner under Gov. Jesse Ventura. Dr. Maureen Reed, a physician who was an Independence Party candidate for governor in 2006, is also vying for the sixth district seat.

BOB VON STERNBERG

Iron Ranger Rukavina Files for Governor's Race

Source: KSTP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Iron Range lawmaker Tom Rukavina is moving closer to joining the crowded DFL field of candidates for Minnesota governor.

Rukavina has filed paperwork allowing him to explore running.

The 12-term state representative from the Iron Range town of Virginia notes the geographic tilt among the Democratic contenders. He says he'll decide whether to run by early September.

Another state representative, Democrat Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, has formalized his campaign for governor. Eight Democrats have so far announced and at least three others are contemplating campaigns.

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he's not running for re-election next year.

DFL Leaders reacts after Pawlenty's presser LIVE

DFL Senate leaders will be reacting to Pawlenty's cut after the press conference so you can check at UpTake.

Watch it here

SECOND ANNUAL DFL PICNIC

Minnesota DFL website

PLEASE JOIN

Senator Amy Klobuchar

Senator-Elect Al Franken

Representative Jim Oberstar

Representative Collin Peterson

Representative Betty McCollum

Representative Keith Ellison

Representative Tim Walz

Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller

for the Second Annual Minnesota DFL Party SUMMER BARBEQUE

Saturday, June 27, 2009 4: 00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Minnesota DFL Party Headquarters 255 East Plato Boulevard St. Paul

$25 per person$10 for children 10 and under

Featuring… The First Annual DFL Horseshoe Tournament

Teams of four, mixed gendered: $200

Please contact Sarah Helgen at shelgen@dfl.org if you are interested in participating!

DFL Party: Opportunity Lost as 'King Tim the Obstinate' Stands Alone

Source: DFL Party

Unwilling to come to the table and compromise, Pawlenty again places his own national ambitions before Minnesota’s interests

ST. PAUL (May 19, 2009) — Last night the Minnesota State Legislature adjourned sine die following a hard-fought session. The Minnesota DFL Party released this statement from Chair Brian Melendez:

“I commend the legislators from both parties for their hard work throughout the session. Unfortunately, Governor Pawlenty was unwilling to participate in the process. His national ambitions kept him away from the table.

“The DFL leadership in both houses passed legislation to tackle the $6.4 billion budget shortfall in a balanced, fair manner. The DFL caucuses worked hard to save and create jobs, protect health insurance for vulnerable Minnesotans and keep intact critical local-government aid. They came to the table in a spirit of compromise — while Pawlenty sat on his throne wielding his veto pen as a scepter.

“Pawlenty’s go-it-alone stubbornness will harm our state for generations. But he’d rather play to his party’s Iowa caucus-goers than serve Minnesotans’ best interests. His rhetoric is about no new taxes, but his reality is ever-increasing property taxes, one-time funding, long-term borrowing and cruel cuts to health insurance for working Minnesotans. Pawlenty chose the Bush model of cowboy diplomacy over the Minnesota model of working through challenges together.

“His my-way-or-the-highway process of unallotment will have devastating results for Minnesota’s communities and people. I can see why he isn’t showing his face in public today.”

Entenza to enter 2010 Governor’s race

Former State Rep. Matt Entenza have filed papers with the State to form a committee so he could run for Governor.

Entenza served in House from 1995 to 2006 and ran for Attorney General in 2006 until the scandal broke out caused him to quit Attorney General race. He served as a Minority Leader when the Republicans had control of Minnesota House of Representatives. Currently, he chairs the Minnesota 2020, think tank.

Mark Dayton to consider run for Governor in 2010

Mark Dayton is in news again...

This time he is deciding to run for Governor in 2010. He has already filed papers last Friday with the state.

Dayton, who served as DFL Party State Chair in 1980's, served one term as State Auditor and US Senator. He didn't seek re-election in 2006 because his popularity went down due to the closing of his office in 2004 after anthrax and terrorist threat that made him to shut his office for awhile. He did ran for Governor in 1998 but failed to secure DFL Endorsement.

He plan to join crowded race. Who has already filed paperwork: Sen. John Marty of Roseville; Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook; Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner; Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, and frequent candidate Ole Savior.

Others mentioned as possible DFL candidates include House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher of Minneapolis; Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak; St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman; former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza of St. Paul, and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark of St. Cloud.

Dayton is going to tour the state and talk with citizens of Minnesota. He is not happy with Pawlenty's current plan and how budget are right now.

This time he won't self finance his own campaign like in the past and he is going to seek contributions from various of sources.

Pawlenty who is in his second term as Governor haven't decided what to do next.

St. Paul DFL ward and city convention schedule

I had to dig out St. Paul's DFL Ward and City convention schedule so here it is...


Precinct Caucuses and Ward Conventions - Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Saint Paul City DFL Precinct Caucuses and Ward Conventions are happening on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. Precinct caucuses begin at 7:00 p.m. (check-in begins at 6:30 p.m.). The Ward Conventions begin immediately after caucus business is completed. Each Ward is caucusing
in its own single location:

Ward 1 - Rondo Education Center - 560 Concordia Ave., 55103

Ward 2 - Humbolt High School - 30 Baker Street, 55107

Ward 3 - Highland Park Jr. High School - 975 S. Snelling Ave., 55116

Ward 4 - Hancock Elementary School - 1599 Englewood Ave., 55104

Ward 5 - Como High School - 740 Rose Ave W., 55117

Ward 6 - TBA

Ward 7 - TBA.

The substantive business to be conducted is to elect Ward Officers, select Delegates and Alternates to the City Convention, and consider resolutions. The Executive Committee has noted that the time for considering resolutions is limited and directed that any resolutions that could not be voted upon in the Ward Convention be submitted for consideration at the City Convention.Persons chosen as Delegates and Alternates to the City Convention should select persons to serve on the Preconvention Committees. These Committees include Rules, Credentials, Arrangements, and Constitution. Even if you are not chosen to serve, volunteers are welcome to help. The organizational meeting will be held at the Hamline-Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.(one block east of Snelling) on Saturday, February 7 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The City Convention will be Saturday, March 21 at Arlington High School - 1495 Rice Street 55117. On the agenda for the City Convention will be consideration of endorsements for Mayor and School Board races.
2009 Precinct Caucus Prep

Precinct Caucuses are just around the corner! The Saint Paul DFL will be holding an organizational meeting for the City Caucuses on December 15, 2008. Check back for the time and location.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman seeks second term as Mayor

Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has decided to run for second term as Mayor. He announced his candidacy earlier this week and at this time there are no opponents. He is going to seek DFL (Democratic Farmer Labor) endorsement on March 21st at Saint Paul DFL City Convention.

You could read his announcement at his campaign website

Chris was on Saint Paul City Council and ran for Congress in 2000 but failed to secure DFL endorsement.