MINNESOTA

91 Delegates (75 Pledged and 16 Automatic) and 6 Alternates

• March 3, 2020 - Presidential preference primary.

• March 7-15 - Local Unit Conventions.  Early local unit conventions were done in-person but by the middle of the month that was shut down due to the pandemic and most of the the conventions were done online.

• April 24-May 5 - Local Unit Convention online balloting.  Voting was through Google forms (and, in a very small number of cases where technology was a barrier, by phone call or U.S. mail).  The ballots had a number of pages including not only those running for delegate but also endorsement of candidates and platform resolutions; biographies were included for those running for delegate and there were statements/videos from candidates.  In total about 225 local unit conventions were scheduled and about 20,000 people participated.

• May 14-23 - Congressional District balloting.  Online – selected the 49 district-level delegates.

• May 30-31 - State Convention.  Originally scheduled to be held in Rochester but moved online due to the pandemic.  Electronic balloting started in late May.  The results were to be announced at the virtual convention, but that was postponed following the killing of George Floyd.  The results were announced in early June.



Minnesota Delegation to the Democratic National Convention

AUTOMATIC (16)
Vice President Walter Mondale
Governor Tim Walz
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Senator Tina Smith
Congresswoman Angie Craig
Congressman Dean Phillips
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
Congressman Collin Peterson
Chairman Ken Martin   ...delegation chair
Vice Chair Marge Hoffa
DNC Member Lori Sellner
DNC Member Elly Zaragoza
DNC Member Ron Harris
DNC Member J. P. Barone
DNC Member Commissioner Debbie Goettel


AT-LARGE
(16)
Biden
Zach Aaker
Kevin J. Armstrong
Zarina Baber
Jackie Craig
Husniyah Dent Bradley
Julius Gale
Veda Kanitz
Lap Nguyen
Grant Opperman
Haaris Pasha
Jadzia Sembla
Wang-Yu Vu
Raquel Sidie-Wagner
Nelsie Yang
Asad Zaman
Rachel Zhang
 



At-Large Alternates
Biden
Ali Rage
Paul Buchel
Andie Whitaker
Joehey Cici
Roger Kittelson

Sanders

Warren
Shawn McGerr

PLEO (10)
Biden
Michael Arulfo
Brian Baker
Samuel Doten
Keith Ellison
Ceri Everett
Jacob Grippen
Katie Humphrey
Reed Millar
Jean Ross
Shivanthi Sathanandan




DISTRICT
(49 - Biden 26, Sanders 18, Warren 5)
CD1
Biden
James Hepworth
Mary Bliesmer
Theresa Keaveny
Sanders
Angie Hanson
Dr. Arlen Carey

CD2
Biden
Elise Eckert
Leah Midgarden
Mark Stroessner
Ron Goldser
Sanders
Ben Baglio
Claudia Moses

CD3
Biden
Cheryl Flugaur-Leavitt
Hollies Winston
Jerry Gale
Kristy Janigo
Lana Slavitt
Sanders
Johnathon McClellan
Rebekah Nelson

CD4
Biden
Elizabeth Hansel
Melvin Carter
Rena Moran
Sanders
Mohamed Mohamud
Rod Halvorson
Sarah Lukowski
Warren
M. (Mary) Kathleen Murphy
Sami Banat

CD5
Biden
Isaac Russell
Jules Goldstein
Julie Idelkope
Sanders
Briana Lee
Kevin Chavis
Tim Johnson
Monica Hurtado
Warren
K. Davis Senseman
Kathleen Cole
Marcus Mills

CD6
Biden
Dan Wolgamott
Lisa Olson
Sanders
Cassandra Watters
Kenneth McInnis

CD7
Biden
Joseph Glasrud
Laurie Driessen
Mike Simpkins
Sanders
Katharine Lindgren

CD8
Biden
Don Bye
Janet Nelson
Joel Heller
Sanders
Helen Clanaugh
Richard Updegrove

Standing Committee Members
Bill McCarthy, Dory Shonagon, Rick Hanse, Peggy Flanagan, Alondra Cano, Melisa Franzen, Foung Hawj

Minnesota DFL
May 29, 2020

Minnesota DFL Party Postpones 2020 Virtual State Convention

Today, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party announced the postponement of the speaking and training portion of their 2020 Virtual State Convention. The two-day convention was originally scheduled for May 30th and 31st. The DFL Party will announce more details at a later time. The electronic balloting which started earlier this week will continue and the endorsement for U.S. Senate and party elections will be announced publicly after the ballots have been counted.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement:

“The Minnesota DFL Party will be postponing our 2020 State Convention. This was the only appropriate course of action given the grief and anger gripping much of our state and nation following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent unrest sweeping the Twin Cities. Now is not the time for a partisan political rally.”

“Decades and centuries of systemic oppression and institutional racism have done so much harm across our state and nation. We live in a country where the lives and the dignity of Black people do not carry the same value or importance as others, and that truth was laid bare bone again this week. The outrage we feel today must translate to justice tomorrow. The Minnesota DFL Party remains committed to doing exactly that. This weekend, instead of putting on various events during our convention weekend, the Minnesota DFL Party is going to support the efforts of black-led organizations and community organizations on the ground that are doing the work of addressing racial injustice.”



Minnesota DFL
May 26, 2020

DFL Party Announces 2020 Virtual State Convention with Vice President Biden as Keynote Speaker

Today, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is announcing its state convention speaking program featuring Vice President Biden as the keynote speaker, a robust set of online training programs and virtual panel discussions, and the convention’s theme: Minnesota Together.

The convention’s agenda will be as follows:

Saturday, May 30th:

10:00 AM – Training: Getting Involved with the Minnesota DFL Party
11:00 AM – Panel: Organizing in Rural Communities
1:00 PM – Training: Virtual Phone Banking
2:00 PM – Panel: What Can DFLers Accomplish with a Majority?
3:00 PM – Training: Social Media, Letters to the Editor, and Research
4:00 PM – Training: Relational Organizing with the Team App
Sunday, May 31st:

10:00 AM – DFL Party Community Caucus Open Houses Begins
11:00 AM – Training: Relational Organizing with the Team App
1:00 PM – Panel: Voter Protection & Safety in the Age of COVID-19
2:00 PM – Panel: Gun Violence Prevention
3:00 PM – Speaking Program Begins
The speaking program will be broadcast for convention delegates, members of the media, and the general public at Facebook.com/MinnesotaDFL and YouTube.com/MinnesotaDFL, while the convention’s training programs and panel discussions will be reserved for elected convention delegates.

The convention’s speaking program will feature remarks from:

Vice President Joe Biden
Governor Tim Walz
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Representative Angie Craig
Representative Dean Phillips
Representative Betty McCollum
Representative Ilhan Omar
Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman
Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent
In addition we will hear from other speakers including:

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez
The State DFL Party endorsed U.S. Senate candidate
1st CD DFL endorsed candidate Dan Feehan
6th CD DFL endorsed candidate Tawnja Zahradka
8th CD DFL endorsed candidate Quinn Nystrom
In the spirit of Minnesotans from across the state uniting to overcome adversity during this crisis, the theme of this year’s convention will be Minnesota Together. During the DFL State Convention, the Party will also be announcing their U.S. Senate endorsement, as well as Minnesota’s DNC representatives, presidential electors, and delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement:

“I could not be more excited to gather virtually with DFL Party leaders and grassroots activists from around Minnesota to organize for the upcoming elections and hear from our endorsed candidates and elected officials. The end of the legislative session and our state convention will kick off one of the most important campaign seasons in our state’s history, and DFLers are ready to meet this moment.

“Donald Trump’s failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded DFLers what the stakes of the November elections truly are, which is why our Party is taking nothing for granted. The DFL Party has a terrific slate of candidates running under our banner, a dedicated team of volunteers, and a track record of fighting for Minnesotans’ health, security, and economic opportunity.

“This year, the theme of our convention is Minnesota Together. Though these difficult times have forced us apart physically, Minnesotans have found numerous, innovative ways to come together to work towards a better, safer future for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. The values that bring Minnesota Together – security, opportunity, and community – are at the core of the DFL Party and will help propel us to victory in November.”

Minnesota DFL
April 24, 2020

Minnesota DFL Party Moves State Convention Online

Today, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party announced that the Party’s State Convention will, for the first time in the 76 year history of the party, no longer be held in-person. The convention will instead be moved online and conducted via a remote balloting system.

The Minnesota DFL Party’s State Convention was originally scheduled for May 30-31 in Rochester.

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

“Today, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s Executive Committee made the difficult decision to move the DFL Party’s State Convention online due to the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19.

“I understand this is disappointing for our grassroots activists, party leaders, and endorsed candidates, and I share their disappointment. Our State Convention has historically been a tremendous opportunity for DFLers to hear from our elected officials, network with other activists, and learn more about the stakes of the upcoming elections. However, our first responsibility is to protect the health and well-being of the people of Minnesota.

“It is crucial we all remember that by staying home, we are protecting the health care workers, first responders, child care providers, and grocers on the front lines of this pandemic. By staying home, we are taking care of older Minnesotans and those with compromised immune systems. By staying home, we are saving lives. While this was not an easy decision to come to, I am confident that it is the right one and that DFL Party members will understand the urgent need to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Minnesota DFL
April 6, 2020

Key Dates for Delegates and Alternates



Minnesota DFL
March 12, 2020

DFL Executive Committee Approves Emergency Measures to Protect Against Coronavirus

This evening, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s Executive Committee met and approved a slate of emergency measures designed to combat the spread of COVID-19. These measures include:

  • All conventions scheduled from March 14th – May 1st are postponed. The Minnesota DFL is working on scheduling virtual conventions starting in April.
  • The Minnesota DFL will limit the business of all conventions, from OU to state, to only essential items: election of delegates and alternates, election of CD/state pre-convention standing committee members, conferring endorsements, and voting on resolutions.
  • The Minnesota DFL will prohibit any official DFL sponsored event, at all levels in the party, where more than 25 people would gather in person from occurring from March 14th – May 1st.  This includes fundraisers, party meetings, social events, unit central committees, conventions, etc.
  • The Minnesota DFL will shift all campaign organizing efforts, including direct voter contact, from in-person work to virtual work, and we encourage campaigns to do the same.
  • The Minnesota DFL Headquarters will not be available for DFL or public meetings from March 14th– May 1st.
  • The Minnesota DFL Headquarters will be closed to the public.  Only credentialed personnel, party leaders, and elected officials will be permitted to access the building from March  14th – May 1st.
Ken Martin, Chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party released the following statement:

“The Minnesota DFL is committed to doing everything we can to halt the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and well-being of all Minnesotans. Tonight, the Minnesota DFL’s State Executive Committee approved significant changes to our convention schedule which will allow us to conduct essential party business while dramatically lowering the risk of coronavirus transmission.

“The Minnesota DFL will immediately shift all conventions without contested endorsements from in-person events to teleconferences. All conventions with contested endorsements will be postponed for a period of six weeks. The Minnesota DFL will continue to monitor the situation carefully and may make future changes in consultation with public health experts.

“This was not an easy decision to make, however we are currently in the middle of one of the worst public health crises in the past century and the Minnesota DFL is committed to doing our part to keep our party members, candidates, elected officials, and the public at large safe during this difficult time.”

Below is a more detailed explanation of the changes adopted by the Minnesota DFL’s State Executive Committee. These changes are set to expire after the Minnesota DFL state convention:

DFL CALL TO CONVENTION

  • ORGANIZING UNIT CONVENTIONS: All conventions scheduled from March 14th – May 1st  are postponed.
  • For those conventions with no competitive endorsement contests, the OU must hold their convention using teleconferencing software which the Minnesota DFL will provide at no cost to the OU.  The convention must be rescheduled to one of the following weekend days, April 4th and 5th, April 18th and 19th, or April 25th and 26th.  The Minnesota DFL will provide training to OU leadership on the technology as well as help administer the technology for each convention. These OUs will be asked to select a three-hour window of time during which the convention will take place from a list that the Minnesota DFL will distribute. This will allow state party staff to assist with conventions.
  • For those conventions with a competitive endorsement contest, the OU must hold their convention in person on one of the following weekend days, May 2nd and 3rd, or May 9th.  The DFL will provide financial assistance to those units who incur significant financial hardship as a result of changing the convention date.
  • SENATE DISTRICTS CONVENTIONS:  All conventions scheduled from March 14th – May 1st are postponed.
  • The SD NON-ENDORSING UNIT must hold their convention using the teleconferencing software which the Minnesota DFL will provide at no cost to the SD NON-ENDORSING UNIT.  The convention must be rescheduled to one of the following weekend days, May 2nd and May 3rd, or May 9th. The Minnesota DFL will provide training to SD NON-ENDORSING UNIT leadership on the technology as well as help administer the technology for each convention.
  • For those conventions with a competitive endorsement contest, the OU must hold their convention in person on one of the following weekend days, May 2nd and 3rd, or May 9th.  The DFL will provide financial assistance to those units who incur significant financial hardship as a result of changing the convention date.
  • CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CONVENTIONS:  CD conventions scheduled on May 2nd and May 9th are postponed to May 16th and May 17th.
  • STATE CONVENTION PRE-CONVENTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS:  The in-person State Convention Pre-Convention Meetings scheduled for May 2nd and 3rd will be postponed to Friday, May 29th in Rochester, MN. At the discretion of the committee conveners, meetings may be held prior to May 29th using DFL-provided teleconferencing or video conferencing software. Resolutions must be submitted by May 15th.
RULES & BYLAWS

  • Loosening the requirements on party notification of events:  forgo notification requirements for party meetings, conventions, endorsements, etc.
  • Allow party units to conduct conventions via telephonic, internet, or other electronic means.
  • Allow delegates to conventions to carry up to (1) proxy vote for delegates who are unable to attend in-person conventions. These proxies must be instructed as to the vote preferences of the delegates not in attendance. Proxy instructions should be ranked whenever possible.
  • Prohibit walking sub-caucuses at conventions held via teleconferencing or video conferencing and elect all delegates from OU conventions to the CD/State convention as at-large delegates. The presidential preference of delegates will be recorded.
  • Limit the business of all conventions, from OU to state, to only essential items: election of delegates and alternates, election of CD/state pre-convention standing committee members, conferring endorsements, and voting on resolutions. All other business will be deferred automatically to the next regularly scheduled central committee meeting of that unit.
  • The Minnesota DFL will prohibit any official DFL sponsored event, at all levels in the party, where more than 25 people would gather in person from occurring from March 14th – May 1st.  This includes fundraisers, party meetings, social events, unit central committees, conventions, etc.
  • Meetings below 25 people should be moved to teleconference if possible. If they must be in-person, meetings should be conducted swiftly and limited to essential business.
  • The Minnesota DFL’s rules will be superseded by those of federal, state, and local public health authorities should the rules of public health experts be more strict than those implemented by the Minnesota DFL. 
  • For those units that meet via teleconferencing or video conferencing, and where no contested endorsement occurs, the following will be allowed:
  • Alternates will be automatically upgraded to full voting delegates.
  • The DFL party will officially chair the convention in order to run teleconferencing and video conferencing software.
  • Candidates for delegate to the state convention and congressional district convention must indicate to the Minnesota DFL their intent to run one week prior to the convention.
  • Candidates for endorsement for legislative office must indicate to the Minnesota DFL their intent to run one week prior to the convention.
  • Candidates for election to congressional district pre-convention committees must indicate to the Minnesota DFL their intent to run one week prior to the convention.
  • Debate on resolutions will be limited to one speech in favor and one against.
OFFICE PROTOCOL

  • The Minnesota DFL will shift all campaign organizing efforts, including direct voter contact, from in-person work to virtual work, and we encourage campaigns to do the same.
  • The Minnesota DFL Headquarters will not be available for DFL or public meetings from March 14th– May 1st.
  • The Minnesota DFL Headquarters will be closed to the public.  Only credentialed personnel, party leaders, and elected officials will be permitted to access the building from March  14th – May 1st.
  • No official staff travel out-of-state from March 14th – May 1st.