Contact: Kenza Hadj-Moussa, 612-386-9556
NEWS STATEMENT
TakeAction Minnesota Statement on Nelsie Yang Leading in St. Paul City Council’s Ward 6 Race
Yang is poised for a historic victory leading with 44% after the first ballot
Saint Paul, Minn.— On Election Day, East Side residents stormed the polls to vote for Nelsie Yang for St. Paul City Council in the city’s 6th Ward. Yang, a TakeAction Minnesota organizer and endorsed candidate is poised for a historic victory. At 24 years old, she’s on track become the city’s youngest City Councilor and first Hmong woman elected to serve on the Council.
Yang ran a bold, multi-racial, multi-generational, people-centered campaign, grounded in her experience as the daughter of Hmong refugees, from a working class background. She was the first candidate to enter the race in 2018, challenging former City Councilor Dan Bostrom who held the seat for 23 years. If elected, she’ll become the second renter to serve on the City Council, bringing a badly needed perspective in an increasingly diverse city that’s 50% renters. Her grassroots campaign drove up voter participation in an off year election. Before Election Day, Yang’s campaign was recognized by presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
TakeAction Minnesota released the following statement:
“We’re thrilled for Nelsie. Her campaign built a powerful, multiracial grassroots coalition around people-centered politics. She’s in the lead because she’s organized tirelessly to bring people in around a progressive vision and unite East Siders across age, race, class, and gender. We’re at a pivotal time in our nation. The fundamental principles of our democracy are being tested. Progressive leaders like Nelsie are paving the way for a different kind of political system that’s rooted in justice and community and built on a simple premise: we need a government that’s of, by, and for the people.”
The race will continue on the second ballot. Read more about Nelsie’s story here and an in-depth look in the Ward 6 race from City Pages.
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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, independent, multiracial people’s organization working to advance democracy and equity through organizing, political action, and campaigns. The organization has offices in St. Paul, Duluth, and St. Cloud.
