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.

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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.

A brief word from Melanie McMahon

Melanie McMahon's letter just arrived in the mail, a sign that she, too, is raising some money.

It hits some very familiar points, although, like other candidates, she's adding the environment to her regular talking points -- just as the state starts its PolyMet hearings and the debate on the Iron Range really starts to heat up.

Like the others, the letter echoes McMahon's elevator speech, which you can see here.

Read on:

McMahon Letter by theracefor64b

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

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

Matt Freeman's supersized postcard

It's been a busy couple of weeks here at The Race for 64B, so we're going to catch up on our campaign lit.

Here's the first piece, a giant postcard from Matt Freeman. There may be no way, mathematically speaking, to fit more blue color onto this document.

Freeman Card by theracefor64b

And then there were six: Matthew Bergeron suspends campaign

DFL contender Matthew Bergeron says he's dropping out of the race to replace Michael Paymar. He says he's stopping his campaign to focus on the job he already has at the Capitol. Here's the release he put out this morning:

Bergeron Withdrawal Press Release