Tag: Ken Martin

DFL Continues to Build Power in Local Elections

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Last night, candidates supported by the Minnesota DFL won big in local elections across the state. The diverse array of candidates that won hotly contested races demonstrates the power of the DFL’s grassroots activists, organizing units, and investments in local campaigns and leaders.

Ken Martin, Chairman of the Minnesota DFL, released the following statement in response:

“Last night, candidates endorsed and supported by the DFL won hard-fought races all across the state. The Minnesota DFL is one of the strongest state political parties in the country, and that’s because we work hard to build power from the ground up in local government offices throughout the state.

“Since I have been Chair, the Minnesota DFL has been more active in local elections then at any other point in our party’s history, and last night’s results reflect our intentional work. Continue reading “DFL Continues to Build Power in Local Elections”

DFL Statement on Social Security’s 84th Birthday

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, DFL Chairman Ken Martin issued the following statement to commemorate the 84th anniversary of President Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act into law:

“If you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to retire with dignity. For 84 years, Social Security has been the guarantor of financial stability and security for hard-working American families. Today, we’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of this terrific program.

“Unfortunately for our country, Republicans do not share our respect for Social Security and the promise it offers Americans.

“During the 2016 election, Donald Trump promised Americans he would not cut our Social Security. Meanwhile, Trump was privately telling Paul Ryan he supported Social Security cuts, but did not want to admit that during a political campaign. Sure enough, after Trump got elected, he broke his promise to the American people and proposed a $26 billion cut to Social Security in his 2020 budget.

“Donald Trump’s strategy of saying anything to get elected will not work in 2020. After almost three disastrous years in office, Trump has built up a record of attacks on Minnesotans: on our farmers, our health care, and our social security. Enough is enough.

“On this, the 84th anniversary of Social Security, I urge Minnesota voters who share my belief in the right to retire with dignity and security to reject Donald Trump and his Republican Party in 2020.”

Minnesotans don’t owe Trump a second term

Minnesotans don’t owe Trump a second term

President Donald Trump recently kicked off his re-election campaign with a rally in Florida. Much like the first few years of Trump’s presidency, his next campaign is likely to be highly contentious and controversial. Through all the scandal, the president and his defenders keep returning to one issue they see as key to securing Trump’s re-election: the economy. The truth is, Trump’s economic policies are doing real harm to people in Minnesota, especially those that are already struggling to make ends meet.

The president and his supporters often point to gains in the stock market as proof of a booming economy, but almost half of all Americans have no money invested in the stock market. Most Americans don’t have extra money to invest, while a recent study found that an unexpected expense of $500 would force about half the country into debt. Trump’s golf buddies and Mar-a-Lago members may benefit from stock market gains, but those gains mean little for the millions of Americans who have been left behind in Trump’s economy. Continue reading “Minnesotans don’t owe Trump a second term”

DFL Chair Ken Martin Thank You to Teachers

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all the educators across Minnesota!

I want to express my most sincere gratitude for the work you do to inspire and empower young Minnesotans. I know how challenging and demanding your jobs can be, and I hope you know that we deeply appreciate all the hard work you do.

Minnesota is the best state in the country, and our phenomenal schools, technical colleges, and universities play a huge role in making that the case. DFLers recognize that the success of our children is the success of Minnesota. We know that a strong public education system is vital to ensuring that future generations of Minnesotans have access to the American Dream.

DFLers are proud to support our teachers, not just in our words but in our actions. The budgets put forward by Governor Tim Walz and the DFL-run House of Representatives make historic investments in our teachers and our classrooms. Our party is committed to ensuring you have the tools and resources needed to do your jobs to the fullest.

To all the teachers across our great state, you will always have an ally and a friend in the Minnesota DFL.

Thank you for everything.

DFL Chairman Ken Martin’s Statement on the Driver’s Licenses for All Hearing in the Minnesota House

Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement in response to the Minnesota House hearing on Driver’s Licenses for All.

“I continue to be encouraged by the good work being done by the DFL-majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Driver’s Licenses for All is a matter of public safety, of dignity and respect, and plain common-sense. Granting undocumented immigrants the ability to earn a driver’s license provides all families with the ability to participate in our economy and our society. That’s why the Drivers Licenses for All bill is supported by DFLers, business leaders, faith communities, and farmers across Minnesota.”

“It’s a shame that Minnesota Republicans continue to demonize their neighbors rather than empathize with them. With their ongoing support for the separation and criminalization of families, Minnesota Republicans have demonstrated that scare tactics and scoring political points are more important to them than improving public safety. It’s a simple equation, more licensed and insured drivers on the road leads to safer roads. That’s what the DFL is fighting for.”

DFL Chair Ken Martin on Senator Michelle Benson’s Insulin Recommendations

“Another day, another callous and clueless health care remark from a Minnesota Republican. It’s frightening to me that someone like Senator Benson, the Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services and Policy committee, would recommend “coupons” and “emergency rooms” for Minnesotans being price-gouged by Big Pharma on something as consequential as life and death medications like as insulin.

“This kind of heartless approach to vital health care needs demonstrates once again that Republicans prioritizes profits over people. Across America, millions of people are trying to figure out where their next dose of lifesaving insulin is coming from, and Republicans like Michelle Benson are recommending costly and time-consuming Emergency Room visits instead holding price-gouging pharmaceutical companies responsible. This is unacceptable.

“House DFLers just released a package of bills that will lower the cost of vital prescription drugs like insulin. Senator Benson, when you’re ready to take this issue seriously, I’m sure they’d welcome your support.”

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DFL Chairman Ken Martin’s statement on the passing of former Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland


Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin today released the following statement in honor of the passing of former Minnesota Congressman and United States Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland.

“A resident and native of Roseau, Minnesota, Bob Bergland was a champion of American farmers and consumers. Growing up poor in the farmlands of Western Minnesota, Bob understood the difficulties and obstacles that face family farmers as well as anyone. Secretary Bergland dedicated his life to elevating the standard of living for hard-working family famers while at the same time safeguarding the interests of American consumers. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bergland family during this time of loss.”

 

Bob Bergland was born in Roseau, Minnesota, and studied agriculture at the University of Minnesota. After serving the in Department of Agriculture, he represented Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971-1977. He then served as President Jimmy Carter’s Secretary of Agriculture from 1977 – 1981.

DFL Chairman Ken Martin statement on Walz-Flanagan primary win

“The Minnesota DFL Party congratulates Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan on their hard-fought primary victory this evening. Tim and Peggy have spent years fighting on behalf of Minnesota families and I have no doubt that they will build one Minnesota that works for everyone. Their positive vision for Minnesota’s future clearly resonated with Minnesota voters and I am excited to work alongside them and the rest of our ticket as we bring that message to the general electorate over the next 83 days.”

DFL Chairman statement on Jeff Johnson winning the GOP Gubernatorial Primary

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin today released the following statement on Jeff Johnson winning the GOP Gubernatorial Primary:

“Jeff Johnson’s values are far to the right of Minnesota. While voters seek a uniter and a leader in the Governor’s Office, Johnson’s campaign has opted to demonize minorities and the poor. His transformation from mild-mannered Hennepin County Commissioner who was afraid to tout his Tea Party endorsement in 2014, to bile-filled Trump clone, has been startling to watch.

“The self-proclaimed ‘Scott Walker of Minnesota’ is exactly what Minnesota doesn’t need at this time and the only thing that failed worse than his last gubernatorial run, is the economic ideas that he proudly supports. Unequivocally, Jeff Johnson and his far right agenda are losers for Minnesota.”

DNC Announces Historic Organizing Investment In Minnesota Base Communities Ahead of November Elections

Today, the Democratic National Committee is announcing a nearly $88,000 grant to the Minnesota DFL to boost engagement in African American, Latinx, and Hmong communities in Minneapolis-St. Paul ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Combining traditional boots-on-the-ground organizing with innovative digital and technological tools, these investments will support the DNC’s IWillVote initiative, which aims to reach 50 million voters by Election Day. This new investment is in addition to the $100,000 already awarded to the Minnesota DFL through the State Party Innovation Fund.

Most recently, the DNC announced a multimillion-dollar investment, which includes a nationwide cell-phone acquisition, a complete overhaul of the party’s data for voter-registration targeting and further data investments for the party’s voter-protection efforts. As part of the DNC’s IWillVote program, the DNC plans to launch a six-figure digital ad buy across the country to encourage Americans — with a focus on sporadic voters, especially those who​ dropped off in 2014 from 2012 — to commit to vote this November. Continue reading “DNC Announces Historic Organizing Investment In Minnesota Base Communities Ahead of November Elections”