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

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.

Greta Bergstrom delegate letter

Here's candidate Greta Bergstrom's letter to DFL delegates:

Bergstrom Delegate Letter by theracefor64b

Bergstrom delegate party

Here's the invitation to Greta Bergstrom's "Thank You" party for DFL delegates

Bergstrom Event by theracefor64b

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

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.

###

A Precinct Caucus Letter from Greta Bergstrom

Greta Bergstrom had a piece of lit in this weekend's mail. It includes a letter making her pitch for the DFL endorsement, and a copy of a Highland Villager letter from former City Council member, one-time mayoral contender and one-time judicial contender Jay Benanav (who won't actually be caucusing for Greta because he doesn't live in the district, by the way.) It also has a handy-dandy Highland Junior High map for caucus goers:

Bergstrom Letter by theracefor64b

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.

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.)

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: Greta Bergstrom ups her game

Here's a card from Greta Bergstrom that arrived in the mail.

It's mostly what she's been saying from the beginning of the campaign with a couple of new additions: she's talking about indexing the minimum wage for inflation now, above and beyond simply raising it.

She's also talking now about "Protecting our environment and natural resources from being risked for short term financial game" and added talking point to her elevator pitch -- and undoubtedly a familiar argument in the PolyMet mining debate.

Bergstrom is also matching some of the family photos we've seen from the other candidates -- Melanie McMahon and Dave Pinto -- on their websites and lit.

Bergstrom Card 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.

Greta Bergstrom's big debut

Greta Bergstrom is getting the lit out. Although several other candidates have been out with their paperwork repeatedly, Bergstrom seems to have been holding her fire. Now, she's out with a THREE PAGE lit piece. It found its way to the mailbox at The Race for 64B this week. (It was sent out via the U.S. Postal Service, by the way.)

The first two pages are an introductory letter, including a couple of events. She also lists Ward 5 city council member Amy Brendmoen (not a 64B resident) and former St. Paul DFL chair Jim Mogen as her co-chairs.

The last page is her political resume, with an interesting note: the last DFL campaign staff job on the list was for Mike Freeman for governor, back in 1998. That's rival Matt Freeman's dad.

Peruse the deets for yourself below:

Bergstrom Letter by theracefor64b