In 2006, local volunteers and financial contributors helped Amy Klobuchar sweep to victory in her U.S. Senate race and helped elect Lori Swanson, Mark Ritchie and Rebecca Otto to statewide office. The win by John Benson, combined with the convincing re-elections of Rep. Maria Ruud, Melissa Hortman and Denise Dittrich, helped the DFL easily take back the State Legislature. John Doll won election to the State Senate and Terri Bonoff won re-election after having taken a 2005 special election, clearly showing that the Western Suburbs are trending Democratic.

Now, with the recent retirement of Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad, we have the first real opportunity in nearly two decades for a Democrat to represent us in Washington, D.C. One DFL candidate has already entered the race and others are considering it. A victory in this race can help Democrats further solidify their majority in the U.S. House or Representatives.

But our work has only just begun, and we need your financial support.

Your donation will be a local, grassroots investment that will directly help Democratic candidates at the local, state and national levels. Your financial support will help us build local infrastructure, train volunteers, publicize a progressive message and groom local candidates for higher office. It will also allow us to generously fund candidates for the 2008 election, including state legislators and our DFL congressional candidate.

It's easy to make a contribution and it may only cost you five minutes of your time and a postage stamp. If this is your first contribution of 2007 to a state candidate or DFL organization, you can take advantage of the Minnesota Political Contribution Refund Program and receive a refund of $50 per individual or $100 per couple.

Think of it as a "loan" to help Democrats win. There is no catch or fine print. Simply mail us a check, made out to "Third Congressional District DFL" to our Treasurer: