Seven questions the DFL isn't asking

Here are the questions The Race for 64B submitted to the candidate forum on March 9th. As you can see, they didn't get asked at Macalester on Sunday.

But it would still be good to hear the answers:

For all candidates:

The DFL caucus in the House is typically divided into three factions: Minneapolis and its suburbs, St. Paul and its suburbs, and the Iron Range, including Duluth. A majority often requires two of the three: Minneapolis and St. Paul, or St. Paul and the Range. That's how the Vikings stadium passed: St. Paul and the Range voted for it. Given the needs of the East Metro, like redeveloping the Ford Plant and building out the Gateway Corridor, can St. Paul lawmakers afford to openly oppose copper nickel mining and risk losing allies in the Range delegation if Minneapolis won't support East Metro economic development? Are you willing to make that trade-off?

For Beth Fraser: 

You talk a lot about voting rights, and you talk often about your support of access to the democratic process. But in 2012, District 64B has some of the highest voter turnout in the state, maybe even the nation. Michael Paymar ranked 8th in vote totals in the House in the last election, and five of the seven above him were competitive races. Is moving ahead of DFLers Frank Hornstein and Paul Thissen in turnout really a priority for 64B? Why wouldn't you be a better candidate for secretary of state, where you could have a more direct impact on the issue?

For Melanie McMahon:

You're a committee administrator at the Capitol. You declared the same day your committee chairman, Michael Paymar, said he wasn't running again. He's since come out publicly in support of you. How do you respond to people to whom this looks like the machinations of Capitol insiders, or feel like the political machinery in the district excludes them if the DFL only puts you on the ballot in August?

For Matt Freeman:

Your voting record and your career show that you've worked practically all over the state.You're young and relatively new to the neighborhood and you're drawing a lot of support from outside 64B, from your family and from the mayor's office. The district already elected a former Duluth City Council member and Duluth mayoral contender. Why shouldn't 64B voters prefer someone with deeper ties to the district to succeed him?

For Dave Pinto:

You talk a lot about your work in the Ramsey County attorney's office to protect children and fight crime. These are important issues and 64B surely has some of these cases. But child abuse and neglect and sex trafficking are probably not as great a public concern in 64B that they are in other neighborhoods. You DID run for Ramsey County attorney in 2010: isn't your agenda more suited for that office, and can't you serve 64B better as a prosecutor?

For Greta Bergstrom:

You have a long history here and strong ties to the district. But you also work for TakeAction Minnesota and now have their endorsement. Their involvement has proven sometimes difficult for the DFL. Jeremiah Ellis lost in 65A in 2010, despite the party endorsement. In Minneapolis, Betsy Hodges battled to a no-endorsement with a former DFL party chair last year. Are you more than another TakeAction candidate for the Legislature? Can you give two examples a priority for 64B for you that's different from TakeAction's agenda? 

For Gloria Zaiger:

You have been very active in the DFL and in some local issues, like the city's capital budget committee and animal welfare. But you don't make a living in public policy or a related field. You haven't said much about experience working at the Capitol and its many constituencies. Why shouldn't 64B look for someone with more direct experience in state policy?

With comment period closing, 64B candidates weigh in on copper-nickel mining

There is about 24 hours left to weigh in on the PolyMet proposal to start copper-nickel mining in northeastern Minnesota.

So the candidates in St. Paul are weighing in.

Here are letters from Greta Bergstrom and Beth Fraser on the topic:

Bergstrom PolyMet Letter by Tim Nelson

Fraser PolyMet Letter

Video: Candidates wrap up the Macalester forum

You are NOT going to watch all 96 minutes of the 64B candidate forum. Really.

So, in lieu of the full buffet, have a look at the dessert. Here are the final statements from the District 64B candidate forum held at Weyerhauser Chapel at Macalester College on Sunday.

They're in the order in which they were presented:

Listen: Hear the full 64B candidate forum

The 64B Candidates (l. to r.): Dave Pinto, Matt Freeman,
 Melanie McMahon, Greta Bergstrom, Beth Fraser, Gloria Zaiger.

The six candidates vying for the DFL endorsement in District 64B on March 23 met at Macalester College's Weyerhauser Chapel today for a 90 minute candidate forum. They talked about health care, the environment, public safety, transportation, education and voter participation.

The forum was opened by Senate District 64 DFL Party Chair Elizabeth Wefel and state Sen. Dick Cohen. The discussion was moderated by former DFL state Rep. Kathleen Vallenga.

It was a pretty polite affair, without a lot of distinction between the two candidates -- and no direct interaction between the candidates. But you can hear a little daylight between them, at least stylistically, during the debate.

You can see most of the questions and responses, liveblogged in the previous post. If you want to actually hear what they had to say, well, we got yer debate right here:

Live: District 64B Candidate Forum at Macalester College

Beth Fraser's education letter to convention delegates

Beth Fraser is outlining her education position in a letter to delegates to the March 23 convention. Here's it is:

Fraser Education Letter by theracefor64b

Beth Fraser's "Endorsements" card

The delegate mail is starting to come in ahead of the March 23th convention. Here's a card from Beth Fraser:

Beth Fraser delegate letter

Here's the letter Beth Fraser is sending out to delegates for the March 23 DFL convention, where six candidates will be vying for the party endorsement:

Fraser Letter by theracefor64b

Former Secretary of State Joan Growe backs Beth Fraser

Former Minnesota Secretary of State, State Representative and one-time U.S. Senate contender Joan Growe has endorsed deputy Secretary of State Beth Fraser for the 64B seat in St. Paul

(Growe lives in Minneapolis, by the way. She's a constituent of DFL State Rep. Frank Hornstein)

Growe Letter of Support

A look at the DFL Precinct caucuses

Here's what it looked like last night at the DFL precinct caucuses in District 64B on Tuesday night. 

Candidate Greta Bergstrom waited for caucus business to officially begin

Gloria Zaiger talked to caucus goers about her DFL party work

Beth Fraser talked about her record as deputy Secretary of State

Assistant County Attorney Dave Pinto spoke to would-be delegates

Matt Freeman said he wanted to listen to voters

Melanie McMahon talked about her work as a legislative staffer

Beth Fraser's caucus day appeal

Here's the email Beth Fraser is putting out this morning to get people to the caucuses:

Fraser Caucus Email

Beth Fraser's big pre-caucus post card

The direct mail barrage is starting in earnest in 64B. Here's a postcard from Beth Fraser that came in the mail this weekend, ahead of tomorrow's precinct caucuses.

Fraser Card by theracefor64b

In money race, Pinto leads with Freeman close behind

Dave Pinto leads the money race

Legislative candidates for 2013 had to file their paperwork, and it was made public by the state's Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.

The reporting period only covers 2013, so it isn't the whole picture. But it tells a lot. Dave Pinto lead the pack with nearly $20k, and a ton of cash on hand. Matt Freeman was just a handful of big contributors behind him, and Beth Fraser in third. 

The numbers dropped off pretty substantially after that. Melanie McMahon, in fourth, had less than half of Pinto's war chest. Gloria Zaiger's fortunes were boosted in no small part by a $500 personal loan.

Here's the chart:

Not much too surprising here, although Greta Bergstrom ran when this seat was open last, and has the longest standing ties to the district. As communications director for TakeAction Minnesota, she's also got a ready network of contacts in hand. It's a little surprising to see her in 5th place in the money race.

Fraser

Also, despite a comparatively short stint in the district, and without the kind of family and local political ties that Pinto and Freeman have, Fraser was pretty clearly punching above her weight in fundraising last year. And remember, she didn't officially get into the race until more than three weeks after incumbent Michael Paymar announced he wasn't running again, and his would-be successors first took the field. (UPDATE: Her third place, it should be noted, does include a $5,000 self-financed contribution, which isn't listed as a loan in her finance report.)

But again, this is 2013 money, and a lot can change in a race this short. The precinct caucuses are Tuesday.

Here's the details of their finances. Click on the link to see their CFPDB report:

Dave Pinto
Matt Freeman
Beth Fraser
Melanie McMahon
Greta Bergstrom
Gloria Zaiger
Matthew Bergeron

(Note also that Matthew Bergeron has dropped out, but still had to disclose his fundraising.)

Hear this: The 64B candidate forum on Jan. 29th

The six candidates running for the DFL nomination for the 64B race met at the St. Paul Jewish Community Center last night for a pre-caucus candidate forum. We'll have some analysis of what they had to say later.

But in the meantime, for the record, here is the debate.

It ran from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and went in round-robin order, starting with Deputy Secretary of State Beth Fraser, attorney and House committee administrator Melanie McMahon, assistant Ramsey County attorney Dave Pinto, Take Action Minnesota communications director Greta Bergstrom, political organizer and campaign manager Matt Freeman and longtime DFL activist Gloria Zaiger.

Mitch Gordon, an former neighborhood candidate and DFL party official, moderated the debate. It's a long discussion. There's about 87 minutes of audio.





(Please note that there was a technical glitch at the 43:50 point and about 2 minutes of audio was lost in a Beth Fraser and Melanie McMahon response.)

Endorsement: Beth Fraser gets Stonewall DFL nod

Here's the release from the Fraser campaign:

Stonewall DFL Endorses Beth Fraser,

Minnesota Deputy Secretary of State, for Open House Seat

SAINT PAUL, Minnesota – Stonewall DFL announced today its endorsement of Beth Fraser, Minnesota deputy secretary of state, in the election contest to replace retiring Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, District 64B.

"As St. Paul's first openly LGBT legislator, we know Beth will be a strong voice and advocate for progress and equality for all," said Stonewall DFL Chair Gerald Strauss. "Her demonstrated legislative experience clearly positions her as the most accomplished and knowledgeable of those pursuing this critical statehouse office representing St. Paul constituents."

Fraser, who has lived in Saint Paul for 12 years, spent the last seven years working in the Office of the Secretary of State under Secretary Mark Ritchie. As deputy secretary of state, she manages the office's legislative initiatives, as well as the state's Safe at Home address confidentiality program.

Prior to accepting her appointment as a deputy secretary of state for Ritchie in 2007, Fraser spent eight years leading public policy efforts for the Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action, now TakeAction Minnesota. In that position, she established broad coalitions for legislative advocacy. Notably, she succeeded at winning passage of nation-leading legislation ensuring that private corporations receiving state public subsidies meet specific job goals or return public funds. She also advocated for Fair And Clean Elections legislation and founded the Voting Rights Coalition.

"I am very proud to have the esteemed support of Stonewall," said Fraser. "In my life, through school into my adult career, I've witnessed unfairness based on misunderstanding and fear. There is still much to be accomplished at the Capitol to ensure equal and just consideration of all, regardless of identity, race, creed, or any other difference which makes us unique -- our hallmark of being an American. I want to serve to ensure every Minnesota receives dignity and respect."

Fraser, a graduate of Trinity University with a BA in Sociology, moved to Minnesota nearly 20 years ago to organize community members in the Minneapolis Jordan neighborhood for the Lutheran Volunteer Corps. She chose to remain in Minnesota and worked to organize mobile-home residents facing buyouts for All Parks Alliance for Change.

Currently, Minnesota has only two openly gay members in the House. If elected, Fraser would increase the voice of the LGBT community and be the first LBGT member from Saint Paul.

Stonewall DFL, www.stonewalldfl.org, was formed in 1980 as a caucus of the Minnesota DFL. One of the oldest and most active party caucuses, it champions progress on issues facing the LBGT community, including HIV/AIDS, youth homelessness, school bullying, gender neutral services, and access to affordable and non-discriminatory health care.

Caucuses to select candidates for the open St. Paul House seat will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at 7 pm at Highland Junior High. Delegates will select the party's official candidate at the district convention at Central High School on Sunday, March 23.

Learn more about Beth Fraser and her positions on legislation and issues facing St. Paul residents at www.bethfor64B.com.

# # #

Being there: Updated candidate events in 64B

Here's an updated event list for the six 64B candidates still in the running:

Thursday, Jan. 23:

Melanie McMahon, Meet and Greet, Flat Earth Brewing Company, 2035 Benson Ave, St. Paul, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Beth Fraser, Meet & Greet, Hosted by David Mayo, Jim and Dixie Olmstead, and Mary Diaz, Wilder Park Condo, 1181 Edgecumbe Rd, Craft Room - 17th Floor, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 25th:

Beth Fraser, Meet and Greet, J & S Bean Factory, 1518 Randolph Ave., 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

Dave Pinto, Randolph and Fairview Area Coffee Party, Hosted by Joan Wittman, Corondelet Village, 525 S. Fairview Ave., St. Paul, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 26th:

Greta Bergstrom, Meet and Greet, Home of Sara Erickson and Nick Vogenthaler, 724 Fairmount Ave., St. Paul, 4 to 6 p.m.

Dave Pinto, Mattocks Park Area Open House, Hosted by Bob Tracy and Julie Earl, 371 Macalester St., 4 to 6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 27: 

Beth Fraser, Meet and Greet, Hosted by Marcia Avner, Wy Spano and former Majority Leader John Hottinger, home of Marcia Avner and Wy Spano, 1469 Edgcumbe Rd., St. Paul, 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 29th:

District 64B Candidates Forum, St. Paul Jewish Community Center, 1375 St. Paul Ave., St. Paul, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31:

Dave Pinto, pre-caucus party, J & S Bean Factory, 1518 Randolph Ave., 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Dave Pinto, pre-caucus Kickoff Party, Hosted by former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer, 754 Linwood Ave., St. Paul, 6 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1st:

Melanie McMahon, Meet and Greet, Hillcrest Community Center, Upstairs Meeting Room at 1978 Ford Pkwy, St. Paul, 10:30am to 12:00 p.m.

Mail Bag: Beth Fraser makes her case in a letter to caucus goers

Here's a letter from Beth Fraser, hitting many of the same points she talked about at last month's Senate District 64 DFL meeting, and on the video posted on this site.

It actually came in the mail, a sign that Fraser has some money, although it won't be until Feb. 1 that we get to see all the candidate's financial filings.

At any rate, have a read:

Fraser Letter by theracefor64b

A review of the recent (campaign) literature

Flickr photo: leff

The holidays are well behind us and the campaigning is starting to pick up.

You can find some of the recent mail below.

Starting off is the invite for Greta Bergstrom's fundraiser tonight. It's topped with an all-star political cast, starting with former mayoral contender and city council member Jay Benanav. 

But, interestingly, not a single headliner is a 64B resident. (Jay Benanav and Lucy Kanson are on the A side of the district). It also features Duluth mayor Don Ness -- which is the second connection between that city's chief executive and the St. Paul district. Incumbent state representative Michael Paymar ran unsuccessfully for that very office back in 1987, according to the Duluth News Tribune.

Bergstrom Fundraiser by theracefor64b

By the way, here's the letter that was included with the fundraiser announcement:

Bergstrom Letter by theracefor64b

And here's a meet and greet invite from Beth Fraser for Saturday:

Fraser Invite by theracefor64b

Video: Meet the candidates!

There's a big field running for the 64B House seat right now, and it's hard to get a look at all the candidates. But The Race for 64B is doing the legwork for you.

All seven of the announced contenders graciously agreed to offer their introductions for posterity in The Race for 64B's palatial and high-tech video facility.

None of them are perfect, but if you've seen these folks in person, particularly at the Senate District 64 gathering last month, they seem to ring pretty true to the candidates.

Have a look for yourself.

Beth Fraser

Dave Pinto

Melanie McMahon

Matthew Bergeron

Gloria Zaiger

Matt Freeman

Greta Bergstrom

Look for more from the field in the weeks to come. The Race for 64B has more plans for candidate interaction that you'll find very interesting.

We'll also have complete coverage of the DFL candidate forum scheduled for January 29th.

(A brief note on production: The candidates are listed in this posting in the order that they agreed to come in and be videotaped. The red highlights in some candidates' video come from the studio lights. All candidates were limited to an approximately 2 minute time limit. The videos were trimmed to length but are otherwise unedited.)

More 64B events

Get out your calendar. There are only about four weeks left before caucuses, and the political agenda is filling up some more.

Here are the upcoming events for 64B:

Jan. 9

Gloria Zaiger meet and greet, at her home, 1917 Bohland Ave., St. Paul,  6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Greta Bergstrom fundraiser, home of Jay Benanav & Lucy Kanson, 1898 Ashland Ave., St. Paul, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Matt Freeman fundraiser, home of Carol Sime and John Grafstrom, 2130 Watson Ave., St. Paul, 6 to 7 p.m.

Jan. 11

Beth Fraser meet and greet, Espresso Royale, 475 Fairview Ave. S., St. Paul, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Jan. 12

Greta Bergstrom meet and greet, Coffee Bene, 53 Cleveland Ave. S., St. Paul, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Jan. 13

Dave Pinto meet and greet, hosted by Deborah Moses at Caribou Coffee, 2340 7th St. W., St. Paul, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18

Gloria Zaiger meet and greet, location TBA, 10:00 a.m. to noon

Jan. 21

Dave Pinto house party at Rich Gehrman's, 2148 Eleanor Ave., St. Paul, 6 to 8 p.m.

Jan. 23

Melanie McMahon meet and greet, Flat Earth Brewing Company, 2035 Benson Ave., St. Paul, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 25th

Dave Pinto coffee party hosted by Joan Wittman, 525 Fairview Ave., St. Paul (Carondelet Village Homes), 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Jan. 31st

Dave Pinto caucus kick off party hosted by former St. Paul mayor George Latimer (754 Linwood Ave., St. Paul), 6 to 8 p.m. Alternate event from 3 to 5 p.m. for those folks who are observing Shabbat services.

Feb. 1
Melanie McMahon meet and greet at Hillcrest Rec Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, 10:10 a.m. to noon.