Minnesota DFL candidates make 'Get out the Vote' tour stop in Bemidji

Nov. 6—BEMIDJI — A crowd of around 100 braved the cold, snow and wind on Sunday to welcome Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidates to Bemidji during a Get out the Vote tour stop.

After a 9 a.m. stop in St. Cloud, the tour bus pulled into Paul Bunyan Park around 12:45 p.m. and was greeted by happy attendees waving American flags and campaign signs.

The Bemidji stop was followed by visits to Grand Rapids and Hermantown on Sunday and a stop in Duluth on Monday morning.

Those participating in the Bemidji stop included Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Secretary of State Steve Simon, State Auditor Julie Blaha, Congressional District 8 candidate Jen Schultz and DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin.

"Thank you so much for coming out here and toughing it in this weather with us today," Martin said in opening. "We are ready to win (this election) in just a few days. We are going to win up and down the ballot including right here in Beltrami County."

He then introduced local DFL-endorsed candidates Alan Roy for Senate District 2, Reed Olson for House 2A, Erika Bailey-Johnson for House 2B and Mark Morrissey for Beltrami County Board.

"We are working incredibly hard to flip the State Senate and one of the reasons we are here today is to help Alan Roy and all these other candidates," Martin said. "Alan Roy is going to be a majority maker when he flips this seat."

District 49 Senator Melisa López Franzen then addressed attendees before Congressional District 8 candidate Jen Schultz took the mic.

"There's a lot on the ballot and it's not about being a Democrat or a Republican. It's not about being a liberal or a conservative," Schultz said. "It's about what is right versus what is wrong. It's about protecting our rights. Our right to vote, whether or not we have a family, our right to send our kids to public schools and to read any book we want, our right to marry who we love. And that's why we're going to win this election and continue fighting because this is the stuff that really matters."

State Auditor Julie Blaha was next to take the stage and encouraged everyone to vote and support those in local government.

"The biggest difference between our (DFL) ticket and their (GOP) ticket is what we see right behind us," Blaha said. "After four years of going through some really tough stuff. We got through a pandemic, we got through a racial justice reckoning that was long overdue, we've held each other accountable and we've wrestled with these hard things. ... And guess what? Our ticket is still together, let's hear it for that."

She added that though most people may not know what a state auditor does, the best thing her supporters can do is encourage others to be educated voters and know who they are voting for.

Olson then spoke in place of Attorney General Keith Ellison, who was unable to attend the Bemidji rally.

"Kieth couldn't make it up here today but he asked me to say a couple of quick words on his behalf," Olson said, before recounting a story about how Ellison helped a friend of his who was scammed out of thousands of dollars. "We reached out to Ellison's office and within three days the bank threatening him backed off. Had it not been for Ellison and his dedication to everyday Minnesotans, my friend would still be fighting with the bank."

Martin then announced Secretary of State Steve Simon who emphasized the importance of voting.

"I know a little something about elections as the Secretary of State, I like to say I'm in the democracy business," Simon said. "I am an optimist, and yes we have problems in this country and in this state, and there is a lot of disinformation spread about us — there's no question about that — but I remain an optimist."

He noted how the coronavirus pandemic was the "ultimate stress test on our democracy."

"But I'm here to tell you that not only did we pass that stress test in Minnesota, we aced that test," he said before detailing the steps his office took to ensure safe and fair voting throughout the pandemic.

"And no matter what was thrown at us, for the third time in a row Minnesota was No. 1 in America for voter turnout," Simon said in reference to the 2020 election.

Chief Executive/Chairwoman of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Melanie Benjamin spoke briefly on the importance of thinking ahead for future generations and also encouraged those in attendance to exercise their right to vote before Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan took the stage.

"You know what Bemidji? You're hardy people," Flanagan said to the crowd of bundled-up attendees before explaining the goal of their campaign. "We are fighting to make sure our schools are fully funded, that we have Indigenous education for all.

"Bemidji is a model of how we can do that and incorporate our language and identity, not just for Native people but for non-Native people, too. Acknowledging the land on which we live, that we are still here and will be for generations to come."

After encouraging attendees to get out and talk to those in their communities and make a real difference, she then introduced and welcomed Gov. Tim Walz to the stage.

"I can't tell you how much it lifts us up as we make our way around the state and see all of you rooting for us," Walz said. "Doesn't matter it's cold, doesn't matter it's Sunday, doesn't matter the Vikings are on. You came out here because you want us to win this state and to show off the best buffalo plaid in the country."

Walz thanked attendees for their resilience through the past several years and mentioned several campaign initiatives including funding schools, letting women make their own health care decisions, listening to science and addressing climate change.

"I don't care if you live in Bemidji or Bloomington, Mankato or Moorhead, you matter. This state matters," Walz said. "We are making a difference in people's lives every day.

"Our opponents want us to believe that Minnesota's best days are behind us, but we want to believe that they are in front of us because we know that to be true. The way get there is we invest in our children, we invest in our infrastructure, we listen to science, and we believe that our democracy is fair and secure and everybody matters."

He left off by reminding attendees to get out and spend the next two days door-knocking and encouraging community members to vote.

Bemidji City Councilor At-Large Daniel Jourdain wrapped up the event by playing a traveling drum song to send off the participants and attendees.

"Get out and vote, make sure you tell others to get out and vote," Jourdain said in closing, "we need our voices at the table."