Ely is a small town in northern Minnesota (population 3,724) and is almost the end of the road:
It used to be an iron mining town but the mines closed decades ago. The town has survived by attracting sportsmen and anglers - but it's still a forgotten small town in the middle of nowhere that nobody knows about unless they came from there. In fact, the only reason I know or care about Ely is that my mom's family has lived there for about a century.
Imagine my surprise to discover that the Obama campaign is reaching out even to Ely.
Downtown Ely, August 2007. Photograph taken by author
My mom's family have lived in Ely since my great-grandparents immigrated there from Slovenia just after the turn of the twentieth century. Today, my 101 year old grandmother still lives there and my two aunts have returned there in retirement. My mom was born and grew up in Ely and visits there several times a year - she just completed her most recent visit this last Wednesday.
Little did she know that if she had been able to stay a few more days, she could have attended an event for the Obama campaign in her home town! This wasn't just some supporters getting together to talk. The Obama campaign has been running a Heartland for Change RV Tour throughout Minnesota. Campaign staff and state legislators have hit the road to visit small towns in all areas of the state to talk to voters about their concerns and needs and the issues that are most important to them.
About 130 people showed up for the event - pretty good for such a small town during the late morning on a workday. My aunt wrote me about the event:
The meeting with the Obama team was VERY well attended even though it was at 10:30 AM - retired people and college kids and some from the high school! It was awesome!
The Iron Range is a traditionally Democratic area and my grandparents and aunts have been lifelong Democrats, but a small town in a very rural part of Minnesota whose population is largely senior citizens isn't a place I was sure Obama would do well. But sometimes I think all you have to do is reach out to folks. I am so thrilled that the Obama campaign is doing this and I think Obama will get more votes from the rural Midwest than people expect, just because he bothered to show he cared.
Here are some photos of the event from the Obama campaign:
Update: Some additional commentary from my mom:
Ely is heavily old people. The average age is way up there--- The average school grade is less than 60 kids, maybe 50 in a graduating class.
There was just a primary election while I was there and the total vote in Ely was under 1000 so the turnout for the rally was really good.
The Range is DFL (Democratic Farmer Labor Party) ground and is always far more liberal than even in the twin cities. Goes back to the 1930's when the miners fought the mine owners for better conditions and wages and the CIO came in and organized the steelworkers union in the mines. Republicans don't stand an electoral chance on the Range. And Rangers are activists!
I'm feeling very positive for Obama's prospects in this part of Minnesota and glad to come from this stock.
Also, check out news coverage in the Ely Echo newspaper.