Another Wave of Support Comes Out for Bernie Sanders in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — On the eve of the March 3 primary, another wave of Minnesota leaders announced their support for Sen. Bernie Sanders. This comes just days after the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 704 and a major slate of fifty-six Minnesotan elected officials, activists, community leaders, and union members personally endorsed Sanders for President.

Among the group endorsing Sen. Sanders today are ten elected officials, twenty-three individual union members, an Imam faith leader, a Fond Du Lac Tribal Leader, and the Minnesota Youth Climate Strike.

“We are overwhelmed and moved by the groundswell of support from so many different leaders and communities across Minnesota,” said Bernie 2020 Minnesota State Director Reed Millar. “Thank you for standing with us as we fight to transform this country so it works for everyone.”

This slate follows other state endorsements, including from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, Representative Aisha Gomez, State Senator John Marty, Minneapolis City Councilor Jeremiah Ellison, Minneapolis City Councilor Alondra Cano, Duluth Council Member Joel Sipress, St. Paul Council Member Nelsie Yang, and Community Leader Winona LaDuke, as well as TakeAction Minnesota — one of the state’s largest and most diverse progressive organizations.

The full list of personal endorsements today, include:

ELECTED OFFICIALS

• Raymond Dehn, State Representative (District 59B), Minneapolis, MN

• Jay Xiong, State Representative (District 67B), St. Paul, MN

• Erin Koegle, State Representative (District 37A), Spring Lake Park, MN

• Todd Lippert, State Representative (District 20B), Northfield, MN

• Hunter Cantrell, State Representative (District 56A), Savage, MN

• David Bly, Former State Representative, St. Paul, MN

• Zach Dorholt, School Board Member & Former State Representative (District 14B), St. Cloud, MN

• Sheila Lamb, Council Member (Ward 2), Cloquet, MN

• Kara Gloe, School Board Member, Moorehead, MN

• Amanda Reineck, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School Board Member, Buffalo, MN

ORGANIZATIONS

• Minnesota Youth Climate Strike

COMMUNITY LEADERS

• Makram El-Amin, Imam, Masjid An-Nur, Minneapolis, MN

• Skip Sandman, Fond Du Lac Tribal Leader

INDIVIDUAL UNION MEMBERS

**The following union members in Minnesota have also announced their personal, individual support for Bernie Sanders:

• Janey Atchison - St. Paul Federation of Educators

• Mysti Babineau - Climate Justice Organizer, Minnesota 350

• Colin Cash - Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Grant Writer & Founder, Sober Squad

• Kevin Chavis - Member-at-Large Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFSCME, Local 34

• Samuel Daniewicz - Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, Local 59

• Ronald Dixon - Treasurer & Steward, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Local 401

• Darwin Dyce - Marshall Area Peace Seekers & The Land Stewardship Project

• Monica Erling - Minnesota State College Faculty, Education Minnesota, Local 4901

• Zak Forde - Teamsters, Local 320

• Robert Francis - AFSCME, Local 3937

• Owen Good III - UFCW, Local 663

• Abdirahman Hassan - American Nurses Association

• Cassandra Hendricks - AFSCME, Local 2822

• Lynn Hu - AFSCME, Local 34

• Andrew Kastenberg - Education Minnesota, St. Anthony Village-New Brighton

• Jennifer Nguyễn Moore - Environmental Justice Activist, Political Organizer & Member, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Local 301

• Angela Paar - Executive Council, Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers, Local 872

• Randall Shimpach - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Local 401

• Brad Sigal - Secretary, AFSCME, Local 3800

• Stephanie Taylor - AFSCME, Local 3800

• Michelle Thompson - AFSCME, Local 2822

• Claire Van den Berghe - Teamsters, Local 320

• Max Wallin - AFSCME Council 5, Local 2535

See below for additional background and statements:

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Raymond Dehn, State Representative (District 59B), Minneapolis, MN

Raymond Dehn is a Minnesota State Representative for District 59B. He is a product of public schools, a low-wealth worker, a formerly incarcerated person, an addict 40 years into recovery, and was once a small business-owner ravaged by the recession. He has served in the MN Legislature since 2013.

“In 2020, we have the opportunity to elect a leader who is building a multiracial and multi-generational movement of working people and that's why I'm excited to endorse Bernie Sanders for President. Bernie is the best candidate to move our country forward. We need leaders who understand that structural inequity was built into our nation's founding and are willing to disrupt the status quo in favor of equity. Bernie has broad solutions that will greatly improve the lives of people in communities like mine.”

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Jay Xiong, State Representative (District 67B), St. Paul, MN

Jay Xiong is a Minnesota State Representative for District 67B. He is a prominent Hmong American leader, and a founding member of the Minnesota Asian Pacific Legislative Caucus. He has served in the MN Legislature since 2018.

“Like me, Bernie has always been an advocate for the grassroots, the greatest underdogs in the community. From his college days organizing civil rights protests in solidarity with Black leaders, to his continued fight for Universal Healthcare and a Green New Deal, Bernie believes in the power of people and the true face of change. I hope you’ll join me in the Minnesota primary on March 3rd to vote for Bernie Sanders.”

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Erin Koegle, State Representative (District 37A), Spring Lake Park, MN

Representative Erin Koegel was born and raised in Minnesota. She has spent her entire career working and fighting for social and economic justice. Erin, her husband Steve, and one-year old daughter Clara, live in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. They love spending time at their cabin up North and want to make sure the lake and land are clean for generations to come.

“I believe that healthcare is a human right. No one should have to go broke trying to get the care they deserve. Bernie has been fighting for Medicare for All his entire career and I am excited to join him in that fight.”

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Todd Lippert, State Representative (District 20B), Northfield, MN

Todd Lippert is in his first term as a State Representative. He grew up in a town of 700 people and has been a pastor for 17 years in small communities in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He ran for office because he cares about people who live in rural areas; he does not want politicians to divide us by race, religion, or geography anymore, and we need bold leadership on the climate.

“The poverty faced by so many rural communities is due to the concentration of wealth of fewer and fewer people. We will not make real progress on healthcare, climate, and racial and economic equity until we rein in the largest corporations and the billionaire class. Bernie understands this, and that’s why he has the strongest campaign and the most enthusiastic supporters. I was for Bernie in 2016 and am for Bernie in 2020.”

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Hunter Cantrell, State Representative (District 56A), Savage, MN

Representative Hunter Cantrell has lived in Savage for 17 years. He is a union member and a home care worker. He underwent several months of chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2017, at the age of 21, and is currently in remission.

"Bernie is a champion for working people. He doesn't care what your political party is, he just wants to make sure everyone can get healthcare that's actually affordable, have a good paying job and a fair economy, and be able to live in a country where going to college doesn't mean going into debt for the rest of our lives. Bernie's lifelong commitment to equity and politics led by the people is exactly the leadership our country needs.”

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David Bly, Former State Representative, St. Paul, MN

Representative David Bly is a retired teacher of 30 years, and a former Minnesota State Legislator from Northfield, MN. Northfield has a history of rural progressivism, a legacy David Bly brought to the legislature.

“As a retired teacher and legislator, I know we need to build a just economy that centers working-class people, and the future of our planet. Senator Bernie Sanders is building a movement that reflects my community, our state, and our country. I am proud to endorse him to be our next President.”

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Zach Dorholt, School Board Member & Former State Representative (District 14B), St. Cloud, MN

Board Member Zach Dorholt is a counselor, father, and former State Representative for District 14B, representing a large part of St. Cloud. He's currently serving St. Cloud as an ISD 742 School Board Member.

“I support Bernie because of his consistent stance on the most important issues, along with his ability to inspire people from all walks of life. These are essential elements for a successful presidency.”

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Sheila Lamb, Council Member (Ward 2), Cloquet, MN

Sheila Lamb is an indigenous woman working with trafficked and at-risk youth. She was an expert witness for the Youth Climate Intervenors regarding Line 3 focusing on sex trafficking, the socio-economic impact of this on our state, and the destruction of traditional Anishinaabe medicines. Sheila is a board member of MN350 which focuses on climate issues and racial justice. She was appointed in 2019 to the Minnesota Task Force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and also serves on the Cloquet City Council.

“I support Bernie for a multitude of reasons including his stance on environmental issues, tribal concerns, healthcare issues, and education. Bernie will lead the way to a healthier life and future for all of us.”

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Kara Gloe, School Board Member, Moorehead, MN

Board Member Kara Gloe is an elected school board member in Moorhead, MN, currently serving in her second term. In addition to her service on the Moorhead School Board, she is pursuing a master's degree in social work.

“As an elected school board member, I have seen how the underfunding of education hurts school districts, families, and children. Bernie wants to pay teachers a starting wage of $60k, which would go a long way toward ending the teacher shortage we are experiencing in this country. He wants to move to a pre-K through 12 model, which would ensure that every child receives the best start possible. Additionally, he wants to raise the federal funding of special education to 50%, which would be a huge help to school districts providing these services for which they are not being fully reimbursed. Simply put, Bernie is the best choice for education, and that is one of the many reasons I endorse Bernie Sanders.”

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Amanda Reineck, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School Board Member, Buffalo, MN

Amanda Reineck is a School Board Member and SEIU 284 leader. She won her recent school board race building a coalition of parents, educators, school staff and community members to fight for the schools Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose students deserve.

“I am endorsing Bernie Sanders because this country NEEDS Medicare For All, and Senator Sanders has been the voice not only for that policy, but for the $15 minimum wage as well.”

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ORGANIZATIONS

Minnesota Youth Climate Strike



“MNYCS is endorsing Bernie Sanders because we need an organizer in chief. We currently have an administration that not only ignores the needs of our planet but actively works against it. But the current president isn’t the only threat to our planet. If we choose a democratic candidate who thinks it’s enough to simply believe climate change without taking bold action against it, it won’t be enough to save us. We cannot afford to wait for climate action. We need a president that not only understands the urgency of climate change but is prepared to fight for the solutions that center those most affected by the climate crisis - people of color, people with disabilities, workers and the LGBTQI+ community.”

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COMMUNITY LEADERS

Makram El-Amin, Imam, Masjid An-Nur, Minneapolis, MN

Imam Makram El-Amin’s commitment to service and civic leadership has made him a pillar in the Minneapolis community. For more than two decades, his work as a religious and community leader has been firmly rooted in the principle of our inherent human dignity. In addition to his weekly teaching duties, Imam El-Amin has led the numerous community service initiatives, affordable housing, mentoring programs, employment services, and feeding more than 300 families monthly.

“I support Bernie Sanders for President because his platform will bring about much needed change and positively affect millions of Americans. I support healthcare for all, free public college tuition and student loan debt relief, lower cost prescription drugs, and serious investments in renewable energy. I, too, want an economy that works for common working-class Americans, not simply the wealthy few. His bold vision and proven track record of fighting injustice is just what we need from the leadership in America today.”

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Skip Sandman, Fond Du Lac Tribal Leader

Skip Sandman is a Fond Du Lac Tribal Elder and community rights activist. He is a disabled Vietnam Navy veteran who fights for veterans rights, as well as human rights. He also supports and advocates for the environment in order to protect future generations.

“I've met Bernie Sanders on different occasions and he is down to earth. He has genuine common sense approaches that will work locally as well as on a global scale. He is about community and he values the working man. He cares about future generations and the need to protect our environment. If you truly want to improve our country, vote for Bernie Sanders.”

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UNION MEMBERS

**The following union members in Minnesota have also announced their personal, individual support for Bernie Sanders:

• Janey Atchison - St. Paul Federation of Educators

• Mysti Babineau - Climate Justice Organizer, Minnesota 350

• Colin Cash - Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Grant Writer & Founder, Sober Squad

• Kevin Chavis - Member-at-Large Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFSCME, Local 34

• Samuel Daniewicz - Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, Local 59

• Ronald Dixon - Treasurer & Steward, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Local 401

• Darwin Dyce - Marshall Area Peace Seekers & The Land Stewardship Project

• Monica Erling - Minnesota State College Faculty, Education Minnesota, Local 4901

• Zak Forde - Teamsters, Local 320

• Robert Francis - AFSCME, Local 3937

• Owen Good III - UFCW, Local 663

• Abdirahman Hassan - American Nurses Association

• Cassandra Hendricks - AFSCME, Local 2822

• Lynn Hu - AFSCME, Local 34

• Andrew Kastenberg - Education Minnesota, St. Anthony Village-New Brighton

• Jennifer Nguyễn Moore - Environmental Justice Activist, Political Organizer & Member, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Local 301

• Angela Paar - Executive Council, Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers, Local 872

• Randall Shimpach - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Local 401

• Brad Sigal - Secretary, AFSCME, Local 3800

• Stephanie Taylor - AFSCME, Local 3800

• Michelle Thompson - AFSCME, Local 2822

• Claire Van den Berghe - Teamsters, Local 320

• Max Wallin - AFSCME Council 5, Local 2535

**Organizations listed for identification purposes only, and do not imply formal organizational support.**