Mike Erlandson Message on State Chair Candidates
Dear Fellow Central Committee Members:
As our meeting on May 21st grows nearer, we all begin to look toward the future of the DFL. Each of the cadidates want
to share their vision with you. Please read their comments below.
You can also hear interviews with each of the candidates at http://www.insideminnesotapolitics.blogspot.com
Please visit to hear their vision for the DFL.
From Betty Folliard
Thank you, Delegates/Alternates, for inviting me into your meetings, meet-ups, fundraisers, conventions and homes over
the past four months during my quest for DFL Chair.
Traveling thus far to over 75 local DFL meetings, making more than 1500 calls to SCC members, talking directly by phone
to 600+ delegates and alternates, here are some thoughts:
RUN MARATHONS, NOT SPRINTS. The DFL must be a visible, active presence in every part of Minnesota year-round, particularly
rural Minnesota, and that action begins with the Chair.
GROW THE GRASSROOTS. We must apply an authentic grassroots approach to frame future development of the DFL Party: not
top-down, but ground-up. Grassroots means local people working together, generating energy, resources and people-power forming
the very heart of our DFL strategy.
DEMOCRATIC VALUES ARE MINNESOTA VALUES. I will continue to travel the state and work the phones to present my vision TO
MOVE DEMOCRATS BACK TO THE MAJORITY IN 2006! Together we will: revitalize the Minnesota DFL, transform DFL culture to a welcoming
culture, regain Minnesotaıs trust --AND WE WILL WIN!
MAKE EVERY VOTE COUNT. Your vote is empowered by our Partyıs Constitution that directs: ³No delegate shall be instructed
or bound. Each delegate shall cast his or her vote independent of the other members of the delegation.
Our campaign has sparked real discussion, and passionate debate about essential qualities in DFL leadership, modeling
dissent from the path of politics-as-usual. I invite you to join this quest and I humbly ask for your support.
Thanks!
Betty Folliard
Folliard website
From Brian Melendez
The DFL Party can be the most powerful engine for positive social change in Minnesota. Iım running for State Chair to
help us fulfill that potential. Iım focused on these key strategies:
* BUILDING ON OUR STRENGTHS: growing our grassroots base and our base of donors (both large and small).
* EMPOWERING LOCAL ACTIVISTS: You know best what wins elections in your area! The Party must ensure that local DFLers
get the resources to win hearts, minds, and votes.
* SPREADING our POSITIVE, POPULIST MESSAGE of ensuring that every Minnesotan has the opportunity to succeed through
hard work, a great public education, access to health care, and basic civil rights.
For a decade, Iıve worked at all levels of our Partyıs volunteer ranks, building our local power and grassroots base.
Iıve chaired my senate district, city party, and congressional district, and worked on several statewide projects. Iım the
only candidate with experience as a party chair, and the only candidate who has run a coordinated multi-candidate campaign
(as many as 28 endorsed candidates at once!). I have always focused on building our base and empowering our local activists.
As State Chair, Iıll stay focused on empowering local party units and local activists. Iıll actively seek your input.
Iıll listen to you. Iıll work with you to make the DFL Party into Minnesotaıs most powerful force for positive change. Weıll
win in 2006 (and beyond!) by working together.
Thank you!
Brian Melendez
brian.melendez@usa.net
Melendez website
From Josh Syrjamaki
As state party chair, I will work with all DFLers to build the party by engaging Democrats from across the state, and
by providing the training, tools, and resources that local leaders need to organize the party and win in their communities.
We will do this by:
Creating more points of entry into the party. We will use creative messages and organizing strategies to increase caucus
participation and recruit new volunteers by emphasizing issues that make us all Democrats and by making our work fun and accessible.
Listening to local activists and creating local action plans. We will work with local leaders to determine what it will
take to strengthen the DFL in their area. Together we will create customized Grassroots Action Plans that provide a blueprint
for organizing at both the congressional district and local party unit levels.
Fundraising aggressively to pay for our bold vision. We will continue to build relationships with small and large donors,
won't be afraid to ask for financial support and will gain the confidence of our donors by delivering winning electoral results.
Sunday, May 1st, from 4-5 pm, I invite you to join me on a town hall conference call on building the party. Dial (888)
422-7128 and enter code 856871.
Feel free to contact me at any time - at home at (952) 884-7270 or e-mail josh@joshforchair.org. I would be honored to
have your support.
Sincerely, Josh Syrjamaki
Syrjamaki website
Thank you all for your continued dedication to our great Party. I look forward to seeing you all at the State Central Committee
meeting on May 21, 2005.
Mike Erlandson
Minnesota DFL Party Chair
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