Vote in Minnesota’s Primary Election Tuesday

One of the biggest unknowns: who will emerge the winner in the DFL Party’s primary in the race for governor?

The Minnesota AFL-CIO screened candidates June 16 but, with unions divided, did not make an endorsement in the governor’s race.

Individual unions, however, have made endorsements in the governor’s race and are working to turn out their members to support their endorsee.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher, current speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, is running with DFL Party endorsement and with the greatest number of union endorsements.

Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton, however, also has gained the endorsement of several unions.

The other main candidate in the DFL primary race, former State Representative Matt Entenza, at press time had no labor endorsements.

Dayton’s union endorsements include: AFSCME Council 5; the Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association, Teamsters Joint Council 32, and the United Steelworkers.

Anderson Kelliher’s union endorsements include: AFSCME Council 65, IBEW, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Minnesota Nurses Association, Operating Engineers Local 49, UNITE HERE.

The DFLer who wins the gubernatorial primary likely will be endorsed quickly by the Minnesota AFL-CIO.

In announcing the June 16 outcome that no candidate would be endorsed before the August 10 primary, the state AFL-CIO declared: “union members are united to defeat Tom Emmer," the Republican candidate for governor.

“At every turn, Tom Emmer has opposed job creation, opposed investing in students, and opposed making health care affordable,” said Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson.

Knutson said labor is united to elect a Governor who shares middle class values and priorities this November. She stressed that Minnesotans will have a clear choice this November. “Union members will work hard to elect a Governor who puts middle class families first,” she said.

State law allows you to take time off the morning of Election Day to go vote, if you notify your employer.

Minnesota allows same-day voter registration if you’re not already registered. Bring identification such as your driver’s license or a current utility bill or student fee statement with your name and address.

To find your polling place
Visit the Secretary of State’s online pollfinder

or call these metro-area election offices:
Anoka County 763-323-5275
Hennepin County 612-348-5151
Scott County 952-496-8161
Carver County 952-361-1910
McLeod County 320-864-1210
Meeker County 320-693-5212
Wright County 763-682-3900

Steve Share edits The Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation. Learn more at www.minneapolisunions.org

Comments are closed.