The Black Democrats are stronger than ever this election season with candidates running for various offices across the state of Minnesota. Several events, information sessions, and social functions have been hosted by the Black Democrats to educate voters about pressing issues locally and nationally and to prepare voters for the upcoming elections on November 7, 2006.
Prior to precinct caucuses, there were several information sessions concerning Voting Rights. Georgia State Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan was also invited. “Rep. Thomas Morgan is a wonderful spokesperson for a new generation of politicians who believe that democratic government can improve the lives of people,” said State Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) 58-B who is running for his third term in this office.
Precinct caucuses provide an opportunity for community members to build an agenda around important community issues as well as support candidates that run for elected office. Through these workshops, participants learn how to put forth their ideas by creating and introducing resolutions, learn how their party chooses candidates for endorsement, and gain a fuller understanding of the precinct caucus process and participatory democracy.
Northsider Pat Downey described he and his wife Jennie’s experiences at the precinct caucus:
Friends often ask us: “Why do you bother? Caucuses are boring and people don’t come to them.” Or, ” I went once and there was a lot of argument over some policy. I didn’t like the conflict.”
Boredom has not been our experience. In our community our meetings are sometimes quite lengthy, but are often exciting. On March 8 the Star Tribune described a suburban precinct meeting where only 8 people attended. In our experience, since 1970, at the Fifth Ward-Fourth Precinct caucus, the smallest attendance was in the 30s. The largest was well over 100. I think people in our community attend precinct meetings so well because we value democracy. We know that passionate nonviolent conflict is a necessary part of democracy.
The Black Democrats specifically and the DFL Party in general are seeking state-wide support. “Much is at stake in this election,” said Ellison. “The next election will determine whether the tax burden will be shared by all or carried by the middle classes and poor. It will determine whether Minnesota shows itself as environmental leader, or will continue its descent towards the middle of the pack. It will determine whether local communities will have to raise levy after levy to fund schools or whether the state will fund education responsibly. There are many things at stake, but what is really at stake are our values. Shall we have the “you’re-on-your-own” society, or shall we have the “everybody-counts” society,” he said.
Ellison went on to describe what happening at the state capital. “The last few years have been tough for Minnesotans. As the ambitious Tim Pawlenty curries favor with Washington neo-cons, he and the House Republicans have hurt Minnesota. His tax policy lays the burden for the State’s financial woes on the poor. His drastic cuts to property tax relief have left police departments understaffed. This administration is pushing fake “fees” that are really taxes, handguns-for-all, the death penalty, and, of course, intolerance. We need a change,” he said.
Black Democrats running for office include, incumbent Toni Carter for Ramsey County Commissioner, Gregory Gray for Hennepin County Commissioner, Reggie Edwards for State Auditor, William “Corky” Finney for Ramsey County Sheriff, incumbents Keith Ellison and Neva Walker for Minnesota House of Representatives, T. Williams, Fred Easter and Carolyn Hadley for Minneapolis school board.
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