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Spring Tulips photographed by the Landscape Arboretum, University of Minnesota.

MINNESOTA SENATE DISTRICT 31 DFL

Ramsey, Andover, Oak Grove, Ham Lake, East Bethel, Linwood, and Athens Township

Of, By, and For the People!

As advocates and allies for the people of SD31 and all Minnesota, we stand for:
        • Integrity: Honesty, The Rule of Law & Ending Corruption
        • Compassion: Affordability, Health Care for All
        • Better Communities: Quality Public Education, Fighting Hatred
        • Stewardship: Caring for our Environment and Supporting our democratic Allies
        • Liberty: Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Religion, Birthright Citizenship, Equality under the Law

VOTE!

PRIMARY AUGUST 11th

A Concise List of DFL ENDORSED and SUPPORTED CANDIDATES

Office

Candidate

U.S. Offices

  

U.S. Senator

Peggy Flanagan

U.S. Representative District 6

Doug Chapin

Minnesota 

 State Offices

Governor & Lt Governor

Amy Klobuchar and Ben Schierer

Secretary of State

Steve Simon

State Auditor

Zack Filipovich

Attorney General

Keith Ellison

MN Legislature

  Offices

State Senate- SD31

Gadisa Berkessa

https://gadisaformn.com/

 

State House- SD31-A

Brian Walker

https://www.walkerforward.com/

State House- SD31-B

Jen Bloomquist

https://www.jenformnhouse.com/

 

(Non partisan Race- Supported by your local DFL unit, SD31)

County Commissioner District 4

Jennifer (Jenny) Geisler

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!
Click event name for link to signup sheet!

ONGOING – All Ice Cream Socials – Meet Your Candidates. Sign up for Hosting and other Volunteer Positions.

7/18 – East Bethel Booster Days, 22266 Palisade St NE, EB Booster Pk West – Booth; Parade. July 18th, Saturday Parade. Line-up starts 3pm; parade starts at 4pm

7/21-26 – Anoka County Fair, Anoka Fair Grounds – Grand Stand Donuts Booth, all days.

8/11 – DFL North Metro Picnic Fundraiser, more information soon.

9/1-2, 9/7 – SD31 MN State Fair Donut Booth, at the Minnesota Fairgrounds Grandstand – Booth shifts.

9/12 – Linwood Family Fun Days, Linwood Town Hall, 22817 Typo Creek Dr NE, Stacy, MN – Booth.

9/12 – Ramsey Happy Days, 7550 Sunwood Dr. NW, Ramsey Happy Days Field – Booth; Parade. Sept 12th, Booth Setup – 7:30-10am. Booth Operation – 11-6pm. Parade. Line-up starts by 10:30am. Parade starts 11:30am

9/12 – Working Families Potluck Picnic for CD6 in Blaine, Aquatore Park, 9191 Lincoln St NE, 4:00 – 7:00 pm. If you plan to attend and are able to bring a dish to share, please sign up. See Event Description.

IMPORTANT LATE NEWS

Summer 2026 Events and Meetings by Health Care for All Minnesota

You Can Now Vote Early in the Minnesota Primary

Andover Family Fun Fest and Parade on July 11! Local Candidates Doug, Jen, Gadisa, and Brian will be at the Parade (starting 11 AM) and the DFL Booth.

all new congressional, legislative and county commissioner districts published as of may 3rd

Go to https://www.anokacountymn.gov/319/Map-Downloads for a list of all the new districts and map downloads.

 

The current DFL US Senate Primary is the most expensive in Minnesota’s history. About $12 million of dark money has come into the Angie Craig campaign. There are no such reports for Flanagan.

ICE CREAM SOCIALS

Ice Cream Socials are coming to our neighborhoods this summer. This space will soon link to a full schedule of parties where you can meet your neighbors and our local candidates for the November Elections.

Click the Ice Cream Photo

Emmer Isn’t the Politician He Used to Be

Everyone here should read Rochelle Olson’s column from June 30th in the Star Tribune: “Emmer Drops to a New Low—Even for Him.”

https://www.startribune.com/tom-emmer-comment-somali-community-minnesota-racism-xenophobia/601861747

Additional Information for Candidates on Our Ballots in 2026  

(All Democratic and non-partisan candidates who filed with the Sec’y of State’s office; some candidates without websites or contact information were omitted.)

Senate District 31 A (MN House)
     * Brian Walker, DFL ENDORSED – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook

Senate District 31 B (MN House)
     * Jen Bloomquist, DFL ENDORSED – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook

Senate District 31 (MN Senate)
     * Gadisa Berkessa, DFL ENDORSED – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook, Contact

U.S. Congressional District 6
     * Doug Chapin, DFL ENDORSED – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook

Anoka City Council (nonpartisan)
     * Joelle Alvord, Member-at-Large – LWV Forum
     * Andrew Boho, Member-at-Large – LWV Forum
     * Marissa Carroll, Member-at-Large – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook, LWV Forum 
     * Sam Scott, Member-at-Large – Facebook, LWV Forum
     * Jackie Young, Member-at-Large – Facebook, LWV Forum

Anoka Mayor (nonpartisan)
     * Phil Rice –
     * Erik Skogquist –

Ramsey City Council (nonpartisan)
     * Justin Dahl, Member-at-Large –
     * Kelly Muchowski, Member-at-Large –
     * Debra Musgrove, Member-at-Large – Website, 
     * Nate Truesdell, Ward 1 – Facebook
     * Victor Jumah, Ward 3 – Issues, Website, Events
     * Dan Specht, Ward 3 – Issues, Website

St. Francis City Council (nonpartisan; elect two)
     * Tina Carroll, Member-at-Large –
     * Denny Christenson, Member-at-Large –
     * Maralynn Kubacki, Member-at-Large –
     * Kevin Robinson, Member-at-Large –
     * Mike Rodger, Member-at-Large –

St. Francis Mayor (nonpartisan)
     * Aaron Hill –
     * Sarah Udvig –
     * Mark Vogel –

Anoka County Commissioners (nonpartisan)
      * Wayne J. Grimmer, District 1 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events
      * John Heinrich, District 1 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events
      * Regan Birr, District 2 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events
      * Brian Kirkham, District 2 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events
      * Melissa “Mel” Lawlis, District 3 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events
      * Jeff Reinert, District 3 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events
      * Kevin Ryan, District 3 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events
      * Jennifer (Jenny) Geisler, District 4 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook
      * Jerry Koch, District 4 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events
      * Michael Nordstrom, District 4 Candidate – Issues, Website, Events

State Auditor
     * Zack Filipovich, DFL ENDORSED – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook

Attorney General
     * Keith Ellison, DFL ENDORSED Incumbent – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook, Instagram
     * David J. S. Madgett, DFL – Website

Secretary of State
     * Steve Simon, DFL ENDORSED Incumbent – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook

Governor
      * Amy Klobuchar, DFL ENDORSED – Issues, Platform, Website, Events, Facebook and Ben Schierer
     * Bill E. Gates, Jr., DFL – and Leah Harris
     * Kobey J. Layne, DFL – and Paul Ference 

U.S. Senator
     * Kurt Michael Anderson, DFL –
     * Peggy Flanagan, DFL ENDORSED – Priorities, Website, Events, Facebook
     * Angie Craig, DFL Candidate – Issues, Website, Events, Facebook
     * Billy Nord, DFL Candidate – Issues, Website, Events

More CANDIDATE INFORMATION found under the Candidates Menu

League of Women Voters–Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids is taking Questions from the Public for their 2026 Primary Forums

For those who want *more information about their candidates,* the League of Women Voters Education Fund presents the website https://www.vote411.org/. Learn who the Primary candidates are in your precinct, what their positions are, how to register, how and when to vote, how the Primary works, and more. 

Greetings, DFL Friends—

     Campaign season is starting to heat up! SD31 now has an endorsed candidate in all 3 of our major races— Brian Walker was endorsed for State House in SD-31A (Ramsey and most of Andover) at our monthly meeting last Wednesday night! And we have a major Education initiative happening RIGHT NOW in our area. We need all concerned to SIGN THE PETITION to obtain a public vote on funding for Anoka-Hennepin Schools. See details below.
     All the while craziness and hatred keep on holding the day among MAGA leadership, but there are cracks in the wall as rational republicans begin to take the risk of resisting Trump on key issues.
     SD31 is preparing a sign drive to get out issue-related signs to help spark interest BEFORE the rush of candidate signs. Some of the sign messages are listed below. Let us know if you want a sign! (sd31dfl@gmail.com)
     So let’s get out and turn our dismay into hope and our hope into action!

Read More

THE MINNESOTA PRIMARY ELECTION IS AUGUST 11, 2026
(Make sure you are ready to vote)

Minnesota Primary Election information

Information on DFL Donations

If you are considering making a donation to the DFL of Minnesota, the DFL of SD 31, or to our local candidates, please read the following. 

 

Minnesota’s Public Finance System Explained (PDF Document)

Metro Surge Cost in Mpls

Follow Us

Ramsey City Council Rejected anti-Walz Resolutions

A number of our Ramsey residents showed up at the May 12th city council meeting to oppose three resolutions supported by Mayor Heineman.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division plans to send election monitors to Minnesota for the 2026 primaries, as well as to a handful of other states. Monitors will go into areas where the agency claims it has seen “problems” in recent elections. A University of St. Thomas (2024) study analyzed over 13 million Minnesota votes over nine years and found only *three* illegal votes by non-citizens. Secretary of State Steve Simon’s office said the monitors “must be authorized by state or local election officials. Monitors may not interrupt, interfere with or intimidate voters. If they do so, they will be asked to leave polling locations.” Read or Download the full study from the link provided on this page.

We meet:
The second Tuesday of each Month, 6-8 pm

Andover Community Center– Community Room A

The Minnesota Election Calendar 2026

June 26, 2026

Early Voting Begins 

July 21, 2026

Last Day to Pre-Register for Primary Election

August 8, 2026

Saturday Absentee Voting – 9:00am to 3:00pm

August 11, 2026

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY – polls open 7:00am to 8:00pm

September 18, 2026

Early Voting Begins 

October 13, 2026

Last Day to Pre-register to Vote 

October 24, 2026

Saturday Absentee Voting – 9:00am to 3:00pm

October 31, 2026

Saturday Absentee Voting – 9:00am to 3:00pm

November 1, 2026

Sunday Absentee Voting – 9:00am to 3:00pm

November 3, 2026

GENERAL ELECTION DAY – polls open 7:00am to 8:00pm

In 1946, a major American labor union highlighted these landmark achievements to “build an even greater tomorrow.” If we are not careful, we lose what we thought we had gained. It has been 80 years, but today, we are still fighting for the things “to be done,” and many items “[that] we’ve done” are in grave danger.

 

1946 Labor Day Poster

Created by Bernard Seaman (1913-1998)

Click Here for Map showing SD 31 after the 2020 Redistricting Cycle, provided by Ballotpedia Click Here to Find Your Polling Place

SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS

Every Tuesday, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Retire Emmer: Protest at Rep. Emmer’s Otsego Office

Every Saturday
8:30 – 11:00 am, SD31 DFL Coffee Break at Starbucks, Andover Target
11:00 – 12:00 pm, Retire Emmer: Protest at Rep. Emmer’s Otsego Office

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 10:00 – 12:00 pm
DFL Coffee Break at Ramsey Coborn’s

4th Tuesday (monthly)
 – 
Local Leaders Network – Open for Members
VIRTUAL MEETING, click HERE for info

Monday, July 13

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Work Session – Anoka-Hennepin School Board

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Regular Anoka-Hennepin School Board Meeting

Tues, July 14

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
SD31 DFL Monthly Social Gathering and Business Meeting

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ramsey City Council Meeting

Thursday, July 16
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Andover P3 Ice Cream Social at Terrace Park, 13535 Poppy St NW, Andover

Saturday, July 18

9:00 am – 10:30 pm
East Bethel Booster Days 2026 (9AM-10:30PM); DFL in East Bethel Booster Days Parade (from 3PM)

5:30 – 7:30 pm
Andover P4 Ice Cream Social at Hidden Creek North, 2620 Bunker Lake Blvd NW

Tuesday, July 21
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Andover P5 Ice Cream Social at Purple Park, 15240 Hanson Blvd NW

Wednesday, July 22
1:15 pm – 4:00 pm
Block Parties/Ice Cream Promotions Teams Meeting at Crooked Lake Library

Thursday, July 23
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Ramsey W1P1 Ice Cream Social at Alpine Park, 6600 Alpine Dr NW

Monday, July 27
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Meeting for Neighborhood Network Precinct Leaders and Other NN VIPs at Davanni’s, Coon Rapids

FULL CALENDAR
ABOUT US

DFL Senate District 31 represents a unique blend of rural and suburban communities with unique challenges. We are everyday citizens of this district who are motivated by Minnesota community values and principles.

We work to help bring about change, to make our communities better places to live for our kids, our neighbors and ourselves.

Our first job is to build a group who will find, support, and elect candidates who promote our values.

Senate District 31 DFL was formed early in 2022 after the 2020 Census redistricting. We engage in a range of social and planning meetings, fundraising events, communication and education efforts, and service activities.

Check out our Blog Posts!

Check out the Newsletter Archive!

DLF Daily
Call

SIGN UP

 

Minnesota in Control of Medicaid Fraud

Source

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement that he’s “heartbroken and frankly shocked” by the GOP’s decision to hold a moment of silence of Chauvin.

“To honor the man convicted of murdering George Floyd– days after the very anniversary of that terrible day – is an act of profound cruelty to the Floyd family and to every Minnesotan who believes in accountability under law,” Ellison said.

—Bring Me the News – Minnesota

 

                                                                                                                     

 

Governor Walz: Melissa and Mark remind us that public service is not just for elected officials—it’s for all of us. I have proclaimed June as Public Service Month and encourage all Minnesotans to do an act of service in their honor. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BEBDzSuae/

 

Take Action with People Power United Minnesota
(**Not Connected to SD 31**)

**Interest Form** – Provided by People Power United

Sign up with People Power United in Minnesota.

They are a group of people who believe in the possibility of change and work to make it happen.

In this community, People Power will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry!

Fill out this interest form and they will contact you when there are actions you can take to help fight for freedom and equal rights, in person and online!