Updated August 13, 2018
Erin Murphy for Governor: Busy Voter’s Guide to the Primary Election
Hey there, busy voter! On August 14th, voters like you will decide who will run to be the next DFL Governor of our state. Many voters are still undecided.
We know you take your vote seriously and you’re looking for information you can trust.
We also know you’re busy.
That’s why we created this guide. In addition to sharing why TakeAction Minnesota leaders endorsed Erin Murphy and Erin Maye Quade, we rounded up facts, news articles, videos, and what people are saying about Erin to help YOU make an informed decision.
Don’t worry. We got you.
This election feels different
The Primary Election is coming up Tuesday, August 14. Three candidates are running in the primary election to be the next DFL Governor of Minnesota: Erin Murphy (DFL-endorsed), Lori Swanson, and Tim Walz.
TakeAction Minnesota endorsed Erin Murphy and Erin Maye Quade for Governor and Lt. Governor. Erin and Erin are most aligned with our progressive values—and they’ve built the strongest campaign to win in November.
This race feels different, because it is different. Erin Murphy & Erin Maye Quade are doing politics differently. Forget the polls. This is anyone’s race. They’ve taken the time they need to build a grassroots, statewide, multiracial campaign to win with people across the state, not money. People beats money.
Erin Murphy is a registered nurse, state legislator, and progressive champion for health care, workers’ rights, and racial, social, & economic justice–and the only candidate for Governor who has passed Students Demand Action’s #GunSenseChallenge.
Erin Maye Quade is a state legislator from Apple Valley and fearless champion for gun violence prevention. She’s also a queer woman of color, helping to create an inclusive, reflective democracy.
We encourage you to do your own research on Lori Swanson and Tim Walz.
However, we’ll note that we called on Lori Swanson’s running mate, Rep. Nolan, to step down after sexual harassment allegations from a staffer in his Congressional office came out this month. The staffer was re-hired by Rep. Nolan’s campaign. There’s nothing confusing about sexual harassment in 2018. Here’s a news clip.
But we’re here to talk about Erin.
Doing politics differently
https://www.facebook.com/epmurphymn%20/videos/10155559933431716/
Minnesotans are demanding a new kind of politics, to create a brighter future for all of us. At TakeAction Minnesota, we reject cynical, big-money politics that are disconnected from actual people.
That’s why we don’t just like with Erin and Erin–we love them. We love them for being authentic and clear about their values. We love them because, once again, they’re proving the power of an organized, grassroots campaign. We love them because, like us, they know that a new kind of politics is possible.
They’re grounded in core values that unite Minnesotans. Values like caring for each other and the land; knowing that our state is unique, interconnected, and interdependent; believing in a Minnesota where everyone is in, and nobody is out. They’re fighting for bold solutions that match the scope of the challenges that Minnesotans face across the state.
https://www.facebook.com/epmurphymn%20/videos/10155527431506716/
Erin Murphy is running because she believes in politics that’s about improving people’s lives. She’s a people-centered candidate who rejects the status quo. She knows a politics of joy is the answer to cynicism. She believes every Minnesotan deserves a bright future, no exception–and that a better future is possible.
She knows when we stand up for working people, including Minnesotans from every race, age, faith, and background, we win elections and lead with our values.
In an era of toxic, divided politics, Erin Murphy is the candidate with the clearest narrative and vision to bring Minnesotans together, rural, urban, and suburban. She’s the refreshing, grounded voice we need at the helm of our state.
She’s a nurse and a practical leader. She fights for Minnesotans every day with moral clarity and political courage to take on the tough issues that affect people in every corner of the state.
One of the first articles written about her campaign came from the Star Tribune in 2017: “Well, someone’s got to take on health care for Minnesotans.” Seriously. Read it.
We know that not all democrats are the same, and there are clear differences between her and the other candidates on gun violence prevention, health care for all, and leadership on racial justice.
Erin Murphy is the only DFL candidate who:
- Has an “F” from the NRA–consistently
- Has taken the #GunSenseChallenge
- Hasn’t taken money from the NRA
- Read “Have you taken NRA money? These students demand answers from politicians” in City Pages.
- Has a nation-leading health care vision for Minnesota
- Has a clear progressive vision and concrete policy proposals
- Has responded to the Thurman Blevins shooting
I had already decided I was in on #TeamErin this weekend. @epmurphymn’s facebook post re: Thurman Blevins confirms I made the right choice. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/thuh2Al182
— Nathan Chomilo (@MedPedsChomilo) July 31, 2018
#PoliticsofJoy is a statewide movement
Stop reading for a second and watch this video. Grab your head phones or do what you need to do. I’m serious. You have to see this.
https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaDFL/videos/10217952670315029/
Aren’t you glad you watched?!
Now back to reading.
Erin Murphy made the decision–like we have–to embrace a hopeful kind of politics. We know that cynicism is a weapon in this political time. Joy is our tool. There is joy in the struggle and there’s joy in standing up for each other as Minnesotans, no matter our race, age, gender, sexuality, income, faith, zip code, or background.
As her campaign builds momentum, we hear from voters in every corner of the state who see their values represented in Erin and Erin. We hear from queer students at St. Cloud State University. Clean water activists from Grand Marais. Retirees from Bloomington. Working class moms from Minneapolis. Women & femmes of color in every corner of Minnesota.
If you’re wondering about Erin’s capacity to connect with voters across the state, we encourage you to check out what Minnesotans are saying online.
From New London:
Erin has spent more time than anyone else in CD7, she got my support early on because there’s no one I trust more to deliver the bold solutions we need in rural communities.
— Erik Hatlestad (@ehatlestad) July 27, 2018
To Lewiston:
Lewiston, MN talking single payer healthcare, school funding, and dreaming big with @ErinMayeQuade and @epmurphymn . Just two weeks until the primary, are YOU ready? @Tyler_J_Treptow #tuesdayswithtyler pic.twitter.com/btm7UrqiBn
— Katy Smith (@KatyMN12) August 1, 2018
Big Stone County:
Knockin’ doors for the amazing Erin Murphy and soaking up the sunshine with these great ladies! #mngov #politicsofjoy #TeamErin pic.twitter.com/mUtjaXUoET
— Kari Dorry (@karidorry) July 30, 2018
Moorhead:
“Moorhead Mayor @DelRaeWilliams endorsed Murphy, saying she wants a candidate who thinks about [MN] as a whole. ��I really like her health care knowledge, and I’m very aware that long before she was a candidate she was in Moorhead often.” https://t.co/udoTKsZfds
— Erin Murphy (@epmurphymn) June 8, 2018
And Minneapolis:
I can tell you when a politician is BSing. There are few politicians that I really ride for and Erin Murphy is one of them. There are very few with values, strategy and ambition for good as strong as @epmurphymn.
I encourage everyone I know to vote for Erin Murphy on August 14.
— call me win (@WintanaMN) July 24, 2018
Ready to fight, ready to win, ready to lead
Maybe you’re reading this and you love Erin Murphy, but you’re wondering if she can win in November. She can and she will. For what it’s worth, the latest NBC poll had her at 8 points above Tim Pawlenty.
More importantly, we know she can win because she’s the only candidate building the diverse, statewide people-powered campaign to win.
There are so many videos like this one out there. Watch Rev. Grant Stevensen talk about Erin Murphy before heading out to vote early.
“I’ve never met a politician like her. I’ve never met someone who’s feet are so firmly planted on the ground, while her brain is so deeply engaged in solutions for us.” – Rev. Grant Stevensen
If there’s anything we learned in 2016, it’s that we’re going to win by being clear about our values and by building a powerful, statewide, multiracial electorate. That is what we need to do to win, and to take on corporate control in our economy & democracy, structural racism, and gender injustice that hurts all of us.
Galvanizing the community!! Energy behind Erin’s Campaign is Infectious and we all caught the bug. #teamerin #FirstTimeVoter #MnGov @epmurphymn @ErinMayeQuade pic.twitter.com/CehAaKb6nD
— CaaqiL (@caaqil__) August 5, 2018
Erin Murphy is ready to fight, win, and lead with us. We know that people beats money. Hope is stronger than fear.
Get ready to vote on August 14!
Across the country, progressives and young voters are making their voices heard in a primary elections. That’s because we care deeply about issues and support candidates who align with our values.
In addition to pledging to vote, we urge you to join the movement and learn more online.
- Join the unofficial, volunteer-run Facebook Group
- Like Erin Murphy for Governor Facebook page
- Share posts using the hashtag #PoliticsofJoy #TeamErin
- Follow the Erins on Twitter @epmurphymn and @erinmayequade
- Follow @TakeActionMN on Twitter
- Visit Erin Murphy for Governor Website
Can we count on you? Get ready to vote on August 14.
TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, multiracial independent political organization. We’re comprised of individual & institutional members across the state, with offices in St. Paul, Duluth, and St. Cloud. Our members endorse candidates who are bold, progressive leaders who share our values. Together, we’re creating an honest, loving, joyful, and people-centered politics. See our 2018 endorsed candidates here.
I love to hear from TakeAction Minnesota members and readers. As always, you can send me an email at kenza@takeactionminnesota.org.
