Could a lesbian treehugger be the most conservative candidate in this race?

Gloria Zaiger is not happy. The National Organization for Women gave her a C rating when it screened the six candidates running for the DFL endorsement in 64B.

"I was shocked," she said in an interview. "I didn't think they'd hit me this hard."

Zaiger says she's as pro-choice, pro-environment, liberal and Democratic as anybody in the race to succeed Michael Paymar in Minnesota's 64B House seat. She attributes the NOW rating to her answer to several of the questions on the NOW political action committee screening questionnaire:

• There is currently a five-year lifetime limit for a family to receive welfare benefits. Do you think this time limit should be eliminated or extended?
• Do you support eliminating or waiving any of the welfare work requirements?

She says she answered "No." And she says she has good reason. And for the record, Zaiger says she doesn't consider this idea, or herself, conservative in any way. Zaiger says she's a believer in self-empowerment. 

Here's the story she's telling delegates about her own upbringing: 

I was raised in a low income family. My father had an 8th grade education and supported his eight kids by driving a taxi. We didn't have much money before he died, and things were even worse after. My mom used every program she could to keep a roof over our head and food on the table, and, to go to night school. One of my earliest memories is of her teaching herself to type on a manual typewriter, and doing the lessons from her classes, so she could get a job. She said over and over, education is the way out, and that we needed to prepare so we would never end up in the situation she was in. From those beginnings, and with other programs to help, all eight of us went to college.

"I believe in welfare," Zaiger said in an interview. "I do think we need to give people a helping hand. But I think welfare can be a program of dependence. Use it, but then help move people to a place of empowerment. That's what I saw when I was a kid."

She also says that other programs, like housing assistance, job training and employment assistance are good investments and a good alternative to open-ended welfare benefits: "It's not just about cutting people off. It's about finding alternatives."

Zaiger says she's gotten some blowback from the rating. One delegate emailed her in disbelief.

But Zaiger hopes there's an upside: that it separates her from the pack. "I think it shows that I'm not a rubber stamp, that I think for myself -- that and how important I think opportunity is."

Here's Zaiger's response to the NOW rating (adapted from her campaign email):

Zaiger Response by theracefor64b

Here's the NOW questionnaire:

NOW PAC Questionnaire by theracefor64b

Melanie McMahon's calling card

Here's the postcard Melanie McMahon is walking around as she doorknocks delegates ahead of the March 23 convention.

McMahon Card

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:

Greta Bergstrom gets womenwinning nod

Greta Bergstrom has gained another key endorsement in the Race for 64B. She's picked up womenwinning, a pro-choice political coalition. Here's the release:

womenwinning Endorses Greta Bergstrom for State Representative in House District 64B
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Meagan Bachmayer Ph: 651-251-0690
meagan@womenwinning.org

Minnesota’s largest women’s PAC significantly impacts the House District 64B race Saint Paul, Minn. – womenwinning, Minnesota’s largest resource for women in politics, announces its endorsement of Greta Bergstrom for State Representative in House District 64B. If elected in November, Bergstrom would join a growing class of pro-choice women in the Minnesota State House.

“We are thrilled to endorse Greta Bergstrom for the Minnesota State House in District 64B,” said Lauren Beecham, Executive Director of womenwinning. “Greta has built an impressive career advocating for women and progressive policies in the State of Minnesota – including efforts to make our tax system more fair for middle-class families, expanding access to health care and restoring investments in our public schools. Her deep roots in the 64B community along with her relationships with organizations and policymakers around the state will make her an excellent legislator at the Capitol.”

As a Democratic stronghold, there is a competitive field of six candidates vying for House District 64B’s DFL endorsement, including Beth Fraser, Matt Freeman, Melanie McMahon, Dave Pinto and Gloria Zaiger. Beecham said that despite the strong field, “Bergstrom’s unique combination of strategic skills, knowledge of the legislative landscape and tenacity in moving progressive policy made her stand out as the best qualified to represent the district. We want to see more women like Greta stepping forward to serve our state.”

womenwinning’s endorsement comes with significant power. Just last year, womenwinning elected Betsy Hodges the second woman Mayor of Minneapolis – the state’s largest city. In total, last November, 76 percent of womenwinning-endorsed candidates won their elections. Last cycle, womenwinning raised over one million dollars in both direct candidate fundraising and support for its political and educational programs. 


### About womenwinning

 womenwinning‘s mission is to encourage, promote, support, and elect pro-choice women of all political parties to all levels of public office. womenwinning runs a smart, strategic and targeted political program focused on districts deemed winnable for pro-choice women candidates with the goal of increasing the number of women serving in public office. Last November’s strong wins build upon the success of the womenwinning Statewide Candidate Recruitment Program which was launched in 2011.

womenwinning was established in 1982 by 25 multi-partisan, pro-choice women who wanted to increase the number of women in public office. Thirty-two years later, womenwinning is the largest and most influential statewide women’s PAC in Minnesota having raised millions of dollars and supported thousands of women candidates. To learn more about womenwinning, go to www.womenwinning.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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

Paymar is backing Melanie McMahon for DFL endorsement, 2014 election

Michael Paymar visited a precinct caucus on Tuesday night

Outgoing state Rep. Michael Paymar was making the rounds at the precinct caucuses at Highland Middle School on Tuesday night. He thanked DFLers for their support.

But he was also quietly offering his own support, to candidate Melanie McMahon. She is his former campaign manager, and the administrator of the House committee he chairs.

He said he didn't want to formally endorse McMahon, but that he does think voters would do well to elect her. Here's an interview with Paymar from Tuesday night:

Matt Freeman picking up political heavyweights

Former legislator Howard Orenstein is backing Matt Freeman in a letter mailed over the weekend.

Orenstein says he talked to the candidates bucking for the DFL endorsement next month, and says Freeman "really stood out."

He's also, of course, the son of Orenstein's boss, Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman, which might make it a little awkward to endorse anybody else. 

Freeman is also circulating a letter from Carole Faricy, a former city planning commissioner, key fundraiser and DFL activist in the neighborhood.

Here's Orenstein's letter:

Orenstein letter

And here's Faricy's letter:

Faricy Letter

Minnesota Nurses Association backing Greta Bergstrom

The Minnesota Nurses Association, the union that helped launch DFL House minority leader Erin Murphy's political career in 2006, is endorsing DFLer Greta Bergstrom this morning in the race for the 64B endorsement.

Here's the release they just put out:

MNA Nurses Endorse Greta Bergstrom to Represent St. Paul's District 64B in Legislature

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Rick Fuentes

(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Jan Rabbers
(o) 651-414-2861
(c) 612-860-6658
jan.rabbers@mnnurses.org

(St Paul) - February 4, 2014.   Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have decided to endorse Greta Bergstrom to represent Saint Paul's District 64b seat in the legislature.  Nurses feel Bergstrom's attention to health care, understanding of the complex world of insurance coverage, and her watchdog attitude toward HMOs make her the best fit among many good candidates to look out for the best interests of patients.

Bergstrom shines as the most capable candidate over a very qualified field to represent Highland Park, Mac-Groveland, and West 7th neighborhoods of Saint Paul.  Bergstrom's experience in public affairs at TakeAction Minnesota gives her the connections and knowledge of the issues needed at the Capitol.  Bergstrom has fought to ensure HMOs are accountable during the long-running debate over the effects of the Affordable Care Act.  Bergstrom has staunchly advocated for universal health care to guarantee all Minnesotans have the health care they need when they need it.

Bergstrom has demonstrated her commitment to protecting all Minnesotans with her work in defeating the Voter ID amendment and in her work to bring economic equity to all Minnesotans.  Bergstrom worked to ensure the legislature passed a tax plan that brings fairness back to the state's taxpayers and takes the state's revenue out of the roller coaster ride that has resulted in cuts to services and hikes to local taxes. 

Bergstrom also grew up in the 64B district and continues to live there with her husband, raising their two children.  Her dedication to her community and to ensuring economic opportunity for everyone has shaped her career. She also brings a breadth of communications experience from the private sector, through her time with Best Buy Advertising.

###

TakeAction backing Greta Bergstrom

Greta Bergstrom has picked up her employer's endorsement at TakeAction Minnesota. Here's the release they put out this afternoon:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 3, 2014

Contact:

Steve Rogness, Political Director, 651-379-0753

steve@takeactionminnesota.org

Greta Bergstrom Endorsed by TakeAction Minnesota for State House District 64B

Progressive champion will be a powerful force to advance social, racial, and economic justice at the Capitol

St. Paul, MN (February 3, 2014) –  Statewide progressive people’s network TakeAction Minnesota announced its endorsement of Greta Bergstrom in the highly competitive race to replace outgoing State Representative Michael Paymar.  Bergstrom was screened along with all five other candidates by TakeAction Minnesota’s membership on Saturday.

Political Committee Chair Gene Nichols noted that Greta brings a unique combination of skills, knowledge, and experience to her candidacy. “Greta Bergstrom has what it takes to be an unstoppable force for positive change at the Capitol: she has been fighting – and winning – underdog progressive campaigns for decades. She will be a determined champion and passionate advocate for the common good.”

Bergstrom said she was proud to receive the organization’s endorsement. “Having worked with TakeAction Minnesota for years, I am proud to have the organization join my campaign and help me add another powerful voice for progressive change to the Capitol. TakeAction fights day-in and day-out to win policies that will improve our lives in Minnesota – and that’s exactly what I will do as a legislator.”

TakeAction Minnesota has a track record of success in supporting progressive candidates, and will be working hard in the coming weeks to support Bergstrom in securing the DFL endorsement at the Party’s convention on March 23^rd.

# # #

TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide people’s network of individual and organizational members working collaboratively to raise the voices of Minnesotans in their own communities to advance social, racial and economic justice. The organization has offices in St. Paul and Duluth.

Endorsement: Pinto picks up nods from four St. Paul School Board members

Dave Pinto is rolling out more endorsements ahead of tomorrow's precinct caucuses. Here's the letter he has out from past and present school board members, including chair Mary Doran:

Pinto Letter by theracefor64b

Endorsement: Pinto wins AFSCME endorsement

Assistant county attorney Dave Pinto has won the AFSCME Council 5 endorsement, a key union nod in a DFL endorsement race.

Here's what AFSCME president Judy Wahlberg writes in the endorsement announcement:

AFSCME Council 5’s endorsement is significant. The union is one of the largest and most politically active in Minnesota. It represents almost 500 workers and retirees who can vote in House District 64B, which includes Highland Park, Mac-Groveland, and Fort Road/West 7th neighborhoods in St. Paul.

Here's the full release:

Pinto Campaign AFSCME announcement by theracefor64b

Endorsement: Would-be contender hosts Freeman event

There's an interesting twist about to take place in The Race for 64B. One-time comer Martin Ludden, who was considering running for the DFL endorsement, is hosting a Meet and Greet for Matt Freeman tonight.

Both Ludden and Freeman are alums of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar's staff, Ludden on the official side and Freeman on the campaign side.

Ludden says he's happy to endorse Freeman: "I don't think anybody is going to outwork Matt Freeman on the campaign trail, and nobody will outwork him in the Legislature."

Here's the invite:

Ludden Meet and Greet

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.

# # #

The rise of TakeAction in Minnesota politics

Betsy Hodges is a veteran of Progressive Minnesota, a forerunner of TakeAction Minnesota. She won the 2013 Minneapolis mayor's race. (Flickr photo: Grassroots Solutions, 2010)

TakeAction Minnesota communications director Greta Bergstrom says she's deciding this week if she wants to run in the 64B race that's opened up with the decision of DFLer Michael Paymar not to run.

MPR's Mark Zdechlik takes a look at the group and its growing influence in conventional electoral politics in a story that ran on today's All Things Considered.

Of note is the nod from former St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman, who lost one of his early campaigns -- a 1999 referendum on a sales tax for a Twins stadium in St. Paul -- to some of the same people who went on to help run Progressive Minnesota and TakeAction.

Note also that Zdechlik's story has comment from University of Minnesota political scientist and 64B resident Larry Jacobs.