Election Day is less than six weeks away.  Early voting has already started.  The election this year will have consequences at all levels, from the President to the Congress and MN Legislature.  There are also important initiatives on many of the local ballots that cannot be ignored.  This is not a time to sit on your hands and resign yourself to whatever happens.  Step forward and work for the outcome that supports your values.

Senate District 49 has a number of ways you can get involved.

- Door Knocking.  Volunteers will meet every Saturday morning thru Oct.31.  We use a smart phone application to make our efforts more effective.  We will have campaign literature to help illustrate our candidates.  The response at the doors we target has most often been positive, but we also go out in pairs to make the process more enjoyable. We need about 30 volunteers every week to contribute 2-3 hours each to door knock. Volunteer for one week, a few or all 6 remaining thru Election Day. We will be meeting at 7600 Parklawn Dr Suite 108 in Edina. Use the Fidelity Bank entrance. For those who need the Advantage Mobile App training, meet at 9:30. For those volunteers who have completed Advantage training, meet at 10:00 to receive literature bags and assigned area

For questions or to arrange other days/times, contact  SD49's Jim Bowen, (360) 927-8301, [email protected]

- Phone Calling. We will soon start calling households that we haven’t reached by door knocking. If you are willing to call from a location in Bloomington to promote our candidates and explain the local ballot initiatives, please write to [email protected].

- Lawn Signs: Candidate signs in your front yard expand their name recognition and signal your endorsement. We know that people are noticing, because several of the signs have been “borrowed”. If you live in our area (Edina, Bloomington or SE Eden Prairie), we are ready to install new ones in your yards and replace any that have gone “missing”. Let us know by contacting [email protected]. Your patience is appreciated, as the demand has been steady, and we frequently need to replenish our supply. (Info regarding lawn signs for those outside our area was recently updated on our website HERE.)

On the front page of today’s (9/23) edition, the Star Tribune chose to run an article entitled, “GOP ballot includes 6 endorsing a fiction.” We are compelled to point out that Stephen Montemayor’s article itself includes false statements, suppositions, and inflammatory language that he attempted to pass off as facts.

The article states that “at least a half-dozen Minnesota Republicans running for state legislative seats in November have promoted [emphasis added] the sprawling, false QAnon conspiracy … “. It goes on, “Among (scores of GOP candidates across the country) are six candidates endorsed [emphasis added] by the Minnesota Republican Party …”.

Montemayor assumed that all Republican candidates running for the House and Senate are endorsed. A false assumption. The first candidate cited in the article was not endorsed by the Republican Party.

Montemayor determined that the last candidate mentioned in his article was guilty because he included one sentence in a video statement. The candidate closed his statement by saying, “A lot of people, I suspect, are going to be coming in off the sidelines and voting for the first time, possibly in a long time. So please get involved. Make sure you’re registered to vote. And vote November 3rd like your life depends on it. We are seeking truth and justice, and where we go one, we go all.”

This candidate was never contacted by Montemayor for his story. The candidate does not believe that Satanists and pedophiles run the government. He does not seek to inspire terrorism or violence; in fact, just the opposite. He has never expressed support for QAnon online or encouraged others to join them. Yet the candidate’s last sentence appears to be enough to qualify him, at least in Montemayor's world, as a promoter of the QAnon conspiracy theory.

Let’s put this big ta doo into perspective. Montemayor raises an alarm that six out of 201 seats in the MN House and Senate might be won by people that visit the QAnon website. His DFL sources must truly be concerned that 3% of their colleagues might replicate the kind of rude behavior that DFL candidate John Thompson demonstrated in Hugo.

Montemayor goes on to state that “State Democratic officials have expressed alarm at the prospect that any of the Republicans linked to QAnon could be elected.” What exactly does “linked to QAnon” mean?

Is the Star Tribune suggesting that it is dangerous to cite media sources that might include false statements, suppositions, and inflammatory language?

The Star Tribune should look in the mirror.

Republican candidate Dean Mumbleau has gained some important endorsements in his run for the MN Senate in Senate District 50 (Richfield and east/central Bloomington).

- Dean is pleased to be endorsed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.

- MN Republican House member Steve Drazkowski wrote, “Please support Dean to be the next state senator from Senate District 50! Dean's experience in law enforcement will be very helpful in restoring the rule of law here in Minnesota; Dean understands and respects our constitutions and will protect them as your state senator.”

- Muslim Reformist Zuhdi Jasser (pictured on the right, with Dean): “I’ve known Dean for a number of years since he reached out to support many of us American Muslim leaders dedicated to real reform against the Islamist threat. When it counted most, he called on Minnesotans to make a clear ideological distinction between regular diverse faithful American Muslims and those like Ilhan Omar who are Islamist theocrats. He is a truly devoted American patriot who has the courage to speak truth to power and will certainly be true and dedicated to his constituents.”

Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee: “We are confident that you will be a strong, steadfast supporter of gun rights in Saint Paul during the 2021-2022 legislative biennium – pushing for our legislative priorities such as Constitutional Carry and Stand your Ground and opposing all facets of the gun control agenda. We will also work with gun owners and other voters in your district to ensure that they give you their full support. Thank you for your strong support of the Second Amendment and your commitment to individual liberty. Please accept our best wishes for a successful campaign. “

All available tickets were sold and the crowd enjoyed a special evening on September 13, at the Mann Theater in Hopkins. The rousing speeches of six great Republican candidates were followed by Larry Elder’s thought-provoking film, Uncle Tom.

Even with the state-mandated restrictions imposed to address the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the theater safely accommodated upwards to 120 people. Two strong Republican candidates for Congress spoke live before the movie. Lacy Johnson, running against Ilhan Omar in the 5th Congressional District, and Kendall Qualls, campaigning in the 3rd Congressional District, thanked attendees for their continued support.

MN Senate candidates Diane Napper (SD63) and Dean Mumbleau (SD50) related how important their races are to retaining Republican control of the Senate. MN House candidates Joe Thalman (SD49) and Frank Pafko (HD63) highlighted their support for public safety and the need for trained policing in our neighborhoods

Short videos of each of the candidates who appeared that evening: can be viewed by CLICKING HERE

The film Uncle Tom takes a different look at being black in America. In this eye-opening film from Director Justin Malone and Executive Producer Larry Elder, Uncle Tom examines self-empowerment, individualism and rejecting the victim narrative. Uncle Tom also walks us through little-appreciated aspects of American History from the perspective of Black Conservatives, an often ignored and ridiculed group.

Is Minnesota’s traditionally Democratic Iron Range in play? Both presidential candidates visited Minnesota on Friday, September 18. President Trump rallied a crowd estimated to be in the thousands at the Bemidji airport, while former Vice President Biden held a much lower-key meeting with representatives of the Carpenters’ Union in Hermantown, near Duluth.

Much has been written about Trump’s appearance in Bemidji. Less has been noted about the Republican turnout for the Biden stop.

MN Republican National Committeewoman Barb Sutter was one of a few hundred happy, flag-waving Trump supporters who lined up on one side of Miller Trunk Highway in Hermantown to greet the Biden entourage as it arrived at the Carpenters’ Hall.

From her vantage point with the Trump supporters, Barb Sutter reported, “On the other side [of the highway], we faced 25 - 30 Biden supporters, some not holding back on their use of foul language, and even a sign or two reflecting the same. Very few of the many cars & trucks driving by seemed to rally to their cause, unlike the horns that honked continually for us, the thumbs-up we were getting, and the Trump flags that were being waved from within the passing vehicles.

“The contrast couldn’t have been greater... We exuded joy. Team Biden seemed filled with anger.

“We all need to get out and vote — along with our friends, neighbors, & family — and ‘Make America Great Again’! I don’t want what we faced across the street from us winning this upcoming election!”

One final telling take-away from Biden’s visit:  this candidate for future president may tout the need to minimize crowds during his campaign stops, even banning the press during his visit to the Carpenters’ Union.

However, as can be seen in this video of the arrival of his entourage, he clearly did not distance himself from an ambulance..

Andre Conley, a 17-year-old Patrick Henry High School student (standing on the right in the picture) who had worked for Lacy Johnson’s campaign, was shot and killed in an attack outside a gas station/convenience store on Minneapolis’ north side on Monday, September 14. A second campaign volunteer, Andre Kelley, was wounded in the attack.

Police reported the two were approached on foot by the assailant. Lacy Johnson released a statement saying that the attack didn’t appear to have anything to do with politics, but he suspended campaign activities out of respect for Conley and the other victim.

“It is shocking and unnecessary acts of violence like this that prove why change is needed now more than ever in our community,” Johnson said. Conly was the 59th homicide victim of the year in Minneapolis.

Entering his senior year, Conley was a great basketball play who also worked for Johnson as an intern.

A suspect in the killing was arrested on Thursday after he fled police the wrong way on I-394, then heading north on Hwy 169. In Plymouth, he cut through yards before crashing. No motive for the shootings has been released.

Republicans in the 3rd Congressional District held a Freedom Celebration on Friday, September 11. It made a point of remembering the tragic events and heroic sacrifices of 19 years ago.

Then it went on to appreciate the outstanding Republican candidates running in the district.

There was an enthusiastic, vocally partisan turnout at the VFW Hall in Hamel. While a cool, misty rain pushed much of the activity inside, the participants enjoyed live 50's and 60's music provided by the Arcades, GI Joe's Food Truck, and the hospitality of the VFW bar tenders. An art table offered local art for sale, with proceeds to be donated back to the candidates.

Thanks to the many volunteers that put together this event. The hope is that a similar gathering will happen again soon.

Minneapolis Elections is currently looking for Republicans to serve on the Absentee Ballot Board for the November 3, 2020 General Election. The Board is responsible for the processing and counting of returned absentee ballots received in Minneapolis--an especially demanding and important job this year.

The Board will be working approximately from Monday, October 19th through Tuesday, November 10. The Board will operate out of the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S. Parking will be available at no charge.

Preference would be given to those who are NOT already working at polling locations on election day, so there's a consistent set of teams throughout .  Pay is $18.50 per hour, and expect to work Monday-Friday, 8:00 – 4:30, with some hours on weekends as well. Board members work in pairs, will be socially distanced and masked, with additional COVID safety procedures. Accuracy in counting and attention to detail are essential.

If you would be available for these dates and would like to work, please reply to [email protected] NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, SEPT 10.

Alan Shilepsky forwarded this, with the added message: “I implore Republicans and conservatives who have the availability and capacity to apply. We need members of both major parties involved to ensure voters are properly vetted for eligibility, and ballots are counted fairly.

The Founders vision recognized that factions can check factions. We can protect our DFL friends from a "near occasion of sin" by joining them in the ranks of election workers. Plus it can be fun, remunerative and get you out of the house! Or think of it as a civic service! We need you."   

By our calculation, those who are hired may earn more than $2500 for a month's work. You do not need to be a Minneapolis resident. More info is available at the city's website 

ONLY YOU CAN TURN MINNESOTA RED!

The race to turn Minnesota red is close. The latest polling shows how close the race is. The most effective vote getting technique is door knocking—actually talking to voters. It is better than phone calling, lit dropping and advertising. We need volunteers to door knock! If you can’t door knock, please volunteer for one of the other activities.

Joe Thalman, candidate for HD 49B, and 15 volunteers received “Advantage Mobile” smart phone app training on Saturday August 29th. Tyler Dunn, the CD3 Victory 2000 Regional Director, presented the training. Following the training we door knocked at houses in Bloomington precincts 18, 21 and 28. All of the volunteers seemed surprised by the number of supportive voters.

Next Saturday September 12th, we will be door knocking in Bloomington, Minneotonka and Edina precincts. We will continue to walk and door knock 6 precincts each week through October 17th.

We need about 30 volunteers every week to contribute 2-3 hours each to door knock 6 precincts each week. We will be walking every precinct in SD49 and knocking on the doors of “swing” voters, i.e., the most likely voters that can swing the election to Republican victory. We prioritized the precincts in SD49 based on potential swing voter impact and we are door knocking the highest priority precincts first to ensure we maximize the efforts of our volunteers.

Each Saturday through October 31st, we will be meeting at 7600 Parklawn Dr Suite 108 in Edina. Use the Fidelity Bank entrance. For those who need the Advantage Mobile App training, meet at 9:30. For those volunteers who have completed Advantage training, meet at 10:00 to receive literature bags and assigned area.

For questions contact  SD49's Jim Bowen, (360) 927-8301, [email protected]

Several forums for local candidates in Bloomington and Edina are scheduled within the next two weeks.

Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum – Thursday, Sept 10, 9:00 – 10:30 am. Candidates will be seated in the Council Chambers at the Bloomington Civic Plaza. No audience on site. Event will be livestreamed on the Bloomington YouTube site.  To Register, visit www.Mplschamber.com/btt. Registrants will be sent a link to a Google form to use in submitting questions to be asked by the moderator.

League of Women Voters Edina Candidate Forum -- Thursday, Sept 10, 7:00 pm (Minnesota State House of Representatives). No audience on site. Event will be livestreamed on Edina TV, Comcast Channel 813 (HD) or 16 (standard definition); City of Edina website  or on Facebook (City of Edina MN); Rebroadcast on Edina TV, beginning the day after the forum; YouTube, beginning the day after the forum; and LWVE website , beginning the day after the forum. Members of the community, including students, may submit questions for the candidates by email to [email protected].

League of Women Voters Bloomington Candidate Forum -- Tuesday, Sept 15, 6:30 – 9:00 pm (Minnesota State House of Representatives Districts 49B, 50A & 50B and MN Senate Districts 49 & 50). Expected that no audience will be allowed on site. Details and recordings of the event will be posted through the City of Bloomington website  and at League website. Questions about the event can be submitted by email to [email protected].

League of Women Voters Edina Candidate Forum -- Thursday, Sept 17, 7:00 pm (City of Edina Mayor and City Council). No audience on site. Event will be livestreamed as outlined for the Edina LWV event on Sept 10. Members of the community, including students, may submit questions for the candidates by email to [email protected].