SD31 DFL THIS WEEK
Greetings again, DFL Friends–
We try to NOT overwhelm you with emails, but this coming week has a lot going on, both nationally and locally. It is an exciting time as we watch the re-invigorated Democratic ticket have their time in the limelight with the national Democratic Convention. And even a month ago, who would have believed that Tim Walz would now be the VP candidate?
Here closer to home we have our biggest fund-raiser of the year this coming Tuesday in the North Metro Senate District Picnic (see details below). Come to catch up with other DFL’ers and hear from our candidates, and have fun with the silent auction.
Don’t forget to watch President Biden Monday night, and Governor Walz on Wednesday night at the DNC.
And our SD31 candidates are gearing up. So read on…!
SPECIAL NOTES
* North Metro DFL Senate District Picnic
Tuesday, August 20, 5-9 pm
Long Lake Park Regional Park: 1500 Old Highway 8, New Brighton
Donations will be shared among the Senate Districts attending, and Silent Auction donations will go entirely to the SD that brings the items! So read on and get engaged…. Here is important info about this BIG upcoming event:
- Act Blue link for “signing” up to attend the picnic – there is a recommended $20 donation per person but can be adjusted to what you can afford. Signing up ahead of time allows for a better idea on how much food is going to be needed, so sign up early to attend the event if you can!
- https://secure.actblue
WATCH PARTY FOR KAMALA HARRIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Thursday, August 22
6:30 – 10:30 pm
Private Meeting at a brewery in Coon Rapids, entire site reserved for DFL. Join other DFL’ers to help elect candidates up and down the ballot and watch Vice President Harris accept the nomination as candidate for President of the United States at the Democratic National Convention.
This event requires sign-up:
Sign up for more details.
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK SPECIAL MEETING
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Rum River Library, 4201 6th Ave, Anoka
This will be a chance to learn more about our SD31 Neighborhood Network.
Primary Election Results
Most of the results from this week’s primary were about as expected. Only about 12% of registered voters actually showed up to vote. Were you among them? Our SD31 candidates did not face primary challenges. We have followed Anoka County Commission races closely, and here are some abbreviated results:
District 1: Betsy O’Berry garnered 1,684 votes, compared to 1,936 for her closest competitor John Heinrich, and 269 for the third place finisher.
District 5: Mike Gamache led the pack with 1,475 votes, versus Randy Nelson’s 1,139 and 896 for Tracy Strombeck.
These results suggest that both races are winnable in November, but will require lots of continued efforts.
For other results, see the SOS website:
https://electionresults.sos.
SD31 DFL MONTHLY GATHERING & BUSINESS MEETING
Our last monthly gathering was held this last week on Thursday (August 15). We heard about the great work of our Neighborhood Network, and made plans for the North Metro Picnic and for other upcoming events— see below.
Next SD31 DFL Meeting:
Thursday, September 19
6:00 pm Social / 6:30 pm call to order
Andover Community Center
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
(See “SPECIAL NOTES” above for important info)
August 20 TUES. North Metro Senate District Multi-SD Picnic.
5-9 pm at Long Lake Park (See above)
Two community events on the same day:
Sept 7 SATURDAY
Linwood Family Fun Days
Booth set-up @ 8am: 10am-5pm
Street dance to 11pm
22817 Typo Creek Dr. NE, Stacy MN 55079
Ramsey Happy Days
Booth and Parade
Booth set-up @ 7:30am-10am;
Open 11am-7pm
7550 Sunwood Dr. NW Ramsey, MN 55303 Happy Day Field
SD31 and Betsy O’Berry are in need of marchers and booth staff.
Every Saturday Morning— DFL Coffee Break, 8:30 – 11am
Starbucks in Andover Target
2000 Bunker Lake Blvd
Next Dates: July 27, August 3, August 10
ANOKA – HENNEPIN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The students and faculty of Anoka-Hennepin School District need our continued support as the right-wing faction seeks to undo years of progress and stop anything related to equity or teaching history honestly without whitewashing.
Work Sessions– Observation Only but we need people to watch what is happening! 5:30 pm Education Services Center, 2727 Ferry St, Anoka. NEXT: 9/9
Regular School Board Meetings- Comment allowed at the beginning
6:30 pm, Sandburg Education Center in Anoka 1902 2nd Ave. NEXT: 8/26
SD31 CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNS
Gadisa Berkessa 31B
(Eastern Andover, Ham Lake, Oak Grove, East Bethel, Linwood, Athens)
https://gadisa4mn.com/
Dara Grimmer 31A
(Ramsey & Western Andover)
https://vote4grimmer.com/about
County Commission Races
These are nonpartisan races. SD31 supports these progressive candidates— be sure to help them out if you can:
Betsy O’Berry— District 1: Anoka, Ramsey, Nowthen, St Francis
betsyoberry24 (at) gmail.com
Save the date for Ramsey Happy Days on September 7th— Betsy would love to have your help marching in the Parade— 10:00 lineup, 11:00 parade, 12:00 expect to be done.
Note that there will be two separate groups marching: SD31 and a separate unit for the Betsy O’Berry for Anoka County Commissioner campaign, but you might be able to march in both!
Mike Gamache— District 5: Andover, Coon Rapids, Oak Grove
https://www.reelectmike.com/
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK – GET INVOLVED!
We need help addressing envelopes!
Our Neighborhood Network project is a grassroots effort designed exclusively for Minnesota Senate District 31 to bring together concerned people to help elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz this fall. This is our very own grassroots project. We are working to help in this election but also to build community for the future. We are aiming at 2026 and 2028, not just 2024!
You can help us conduct two mailings to our neighbors between now and November by addressing and mailing about 25 letters, it would be greatly appreciated. Here’s what you need to do: Come to our Special Informational Meeting this Saturday:
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Rum River Library, 4201 6th Ave, Anoka
Here you will meet other concerned people in our district and the Neighborhood Network leaders. They will be talking about what we are doing and how you can get involved in your precinct at this pivotal moment in history. If for some reason you want to find out more but are not able to attend, email Charlie at
Outreach@VoteBlueMN.org
or call 763.200.1078.
More about the Network:
Rallies: As a Neighborhood Networker you will attend two Networker Rallies between now and November. At these meetings, you will receive around 25 pieces of literature to address and mail out to nearby DFL neighbors (or to drop off at the doors if you are so inclined! Remember, these are friendly DFL doors). These rallies are fun and provide an opportunity for Networkers to socialize, share experiences, and discuss politics in a safe environment.
Special Meeting: (See above).
Our Neighborhood Network is reaching 3000+ voters and we want to keep spreading the news! This is our major outreach effort, with a goal of getting out the vote from as many Democrats as we can possibly find before November!
One great way to help is donating stamps—you can drop them off at the DFL Coffee Break (every Saturday morning— see above)
AND If you would like to support our project financially here is the link:
https://secure.actblue.com/
Join us and share in all the good DFL energy!
LINKS AND NOTES YOU CAN USE
Mary Hartnett and Clean Elections Minnesota on the Honest, Fair, Accurate, and Secure primary ion Minnesota this week:
https://mailchi.mp/
Thom Hartmann on Billionaire Dreams, Middle Class Nightmares, and the battle against your retirement:
Heather Cox Richardson on Corruption in Politics (and it is mainly the GOP…):
GET INVOLVED / DONATE
HELP OUR HARRIS-WALZ SUPPORT WORK and TRUMP REMOVAL PROJECT— AND GET YOUR REFUND!
Contribute whatever you can to SD31 DFL–
This year we must get out the vote to ELECT HARRIS and WALZ, and our LOCAL MN Candidates, and defeat Trump.
If you have not already done so, contribute to us and then GET A FULL REFUND for any amount up to $75 per person.
After donating at VoteBlueMN.org, just print and fill the following document and send it in with your receipt.
https://mcusercontent.com/
______________________________
SD31 DFL Leadership
Co-Chair: Alyson Gullette
Co-Chair: Leslie Pendergast
Secretary: Wes Volkenant
Treasurer: George Drew
Outreach Officer: Charlie Baarsch
Communications Director: Peter Miller
_______________________________
Thank you to all who are working to defeat extremism and bring joy back to our politics and our country— fighting to “Make America Happy Again” and support the unifying vision and values of Harris and Walz.
Step by Step, Always Together, Always Forward!
SD31 Communications
info (at) VoteBlueMN.org
Our Core Values: A Good Economy for Working Families; Fighting Hatred and Racism; Liberty and Justice for ALL— including Women’s rights and reproductive freedom; Taking care of our Home– the Earth
Our Moral Guideposts: Love Your Neighbor; Truth, Justice and Compassion; Non-Violence; Showing up to Do Your Part
SD31 DFL THIS WEEK
August 12, 2024
DFL Friends —
WOW! Harris & Walz— What a great ticket! It is so amazing to feel the tide turning. We can all play our part in the next few weeks, and if we do, the outcome will be a good one for our country. So let’s keep the energy going! Here are some of the things happening in the next week…
VOTE!
Just as a reminder, the primary is Tuesday, August 13. Vote early tomorrow, August 12, or on the formal election day on Tuesday.
For many of you, Betsy O’Berry or Mike Gamache will be on the ballot for County Commissioner– give them your support and your vote!
HELP ST FRANCIS SCHOOLS!
We have said a lot about the Anoka Hennepin District in the past, but St Francis Schools are facing very similar challenges— and they need a progressive person to run for School Board. Four seats of the 7 are up this year. So please consider putting your hat in the ring— BY THE END OF THE DAY TUESDAY August 13! See more below…
Filing for open seats on the SFAS School Board runs July 30 to August 13
Four seats on the St. Francis Area Schools School Board will be up for election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. The filing period for interested community members to serve a four-year term on the school board runs from July 30 to August 13.
Four at-large seats will be filled by a general election. Elected board members will take office in January 2025 and serve until January 2029.
How to file:
-
- Candidate filing period: July 30, 2024 – August 13, 2024
- Obtain an Affidavit of Candidacy on the Secretary of State’s website.
- File your Affidavit of Candidacy, along with a $2 filing fee at St. Francis Area Schools: 4115 Ambassador Blvd NW Saint Francis, MN 55070
- The district office is open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., August 13 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
To qualify for election:
-
- Be an eligible voter
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Have been a resident of the school district for 30 days before the general election
Resources for prospective school board candidates can be found on Minnesota School Boards Association’s (MSBA) Running for School Board webpage. The resources include:
For additional information, access the Election Administration & Campaigns page on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.
Questions? Please contact Joshua Brezinka at joshua.brezinka (at) isd15.org or 763-753-7051.
https://www.isd15.org/page/
DFL NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK
As we approach the election season, we need volunteers to join our Neighborhood Network.
Rallies:
As a Neighborhood Networker you will attend two Networker Rallies between now and November. At these meetings, you will receive around 25 pieces of literature to address and mail out to nearby DFL neighbors. These rallies are fun and provide an opportunity for Networkers to socialize, share experiences, and discuss politics in a safe environment.
Special Meetings:
Get to Know Your Candidates:
Saturday, August 17 at Starbucks, Andover Target— 9-11 AM.
Gadisa Berkessa (House Seat 31B), Dara Grimmer (House Seat 31A) and Jeanne Hendricks (for US Congress in 6th District) will be there!
To learn more about our SD31 Neighborhood Network, please attend a
Special Informational Meeting on:
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Rum River Library, 4201 6th Ave, Anoka
ANOKA COUNTY DFL SENIOR CAUCUS
Wednesday August 14
Perkins in Blaine, 1 PM (arrive by 11:30 to order food)
This month: Our 31B Candidate Gadisa Berkessa; 36A candidate Janelle Calhoun, and 35B candidate Kari Rehrauer.
SD31 DFL MONTHLY GATHERING
Thursday, August 15, 6 PM, Andover Community Center
Join your friends and share the excitement!
NORTH METRO PICNIC — our biggest fundraiser! on Tues 8/20
Tuesday, August 20, 5pm
Long Lake Regional Park
1500 Old Highway 8, New Brighton, MN 55112
______________________________
SD31 DFL Leadership
Co-Chair: Alyson Gullette
Co-Chair: Leslie Pendergast
Secretary: Wes Volkenant
Treasurer: George Drew
Outreach Officer: Charlie Baarsch
Communications Director: Peter Miller
______________________________
Thank you to all of you who are running, supporting candidates, putting in lawn signs, sending letters, and in general working hard to…
“Make America Happy Again”!
Step by Step, Always Together, Always Forward!
SD31 Communications
info (at) VoteBlueMN.org
Our Core Values: A Good Economy for Working Families; Fighting Hatred and Racism; Liberty and Justice for ALL— including Women’s rights and reproductive freedom; Taking care of our Home– the Earth
Our Moral Guideposts: Love Your Neighbor; Truth, Justice and Compassion; Non-Violence; Showing up to Do Your Part
