FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 29, 2017
Contact: Kenza Hadj-Moussa, 612-386-9556, kenza@takeactionminnesota.org
City elections determine what’s possible locally, and lay the groundwork for next year’s high stakes election
St. Paul, MN—TakeAction Minnesota announced its endorsements for Jillia Pessenda (Ward 1), Steve Fletcher (Ward 3), Stephanie Gasca (Ward 4), Mohamud Noor (Ward 6), Janne Flisrand (Ward 7), Alondra Cano (Ward 9), and Erica Mauter (Ward 11) for Minneapolis City Council and Londel French, Russ Henry, and Devin Hogan for Minneapolis Park Board at-large seats. The Board of Directors of the statewide people’s organization ratified the recommendation of their larger membership on Tuesday.
With TakeAction Minnesota’s endorsement, candidates will be backed by the organization’s powerful elections effort—grassroots forces that have a track record of pushing candidates over the finish line.
“Our endorsed candidates for Minneapolis include tested progressive champions and powerful newcomers. Each candidate exemplifies the values of our organization and commitment to democracy and equity,” said Dan McGrath, TakeAction Minnesota’s executive director. “With the federal government headed moving backwards, and state government in gridlock, winning local races in November is how we can make progress for people while also laying the ground work for strong voter turnout in 2018.”
TakeAction’s diverse membership did not reach the 60% threshold required to endorse in the mayoral race. With a strong mayoral candidate field, this outcome could be a preview for the Minneapolis DFL Convention on July 8th. For TakeAction, the municipal races lay important groundwork to expand the electorate and engage new voters into 2018.
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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, multiracial people’s organization working to advance democracy and equity through organizing, political action, and campaigns. The organization has offices in St. Paul and Duluth.
