Shoeleather, Endorsements, and $$: A campaign update
Thu Aug 24, 2006 at 02:17:46 PM PDT
My name is
Jeremy Kalin. A designer by trade and the vice-chair of the East Central Regional Development Commission, I am the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for MN House in district 17B. The district comprises nearly all of Chisago County, a quickly growing exurban county 35 miles northeast of the Twin Cities.
I've written about the race here and here, and a local blog, MNPublius.com, featured my race in their Spotlight on the Candidate.
I ran close in 2004, coming within 995 voters of victory (out of 24,100+), despite Bush solidly winning the district and my opponent's sympathy vote due to a freak accident 6 weeks before election day.
Thecampaign is off to a great start. Volunteers have made 1,000's of personal phone calls since the middle of April. Our campaign office is humming with activity, including 5 or 6 staffers working for various Democratic campaigns. And I've knocked on at least 5,510 doors so far.
The MN House is divided by just one seat, 68 GOP to 66 DFL. By winning my election, I can help put a Democrat in the Speaker's chair. And I've got the momentum to do it...
I'm running for State Representative because our leaders need to focus on taking care of the people's business first. In Minnesota, we've suffered through special sessions during 3 of my opponent's 4 years in office, including an infamous State Government Shutdown just last year. Throughout it all, my opponent has consistently toed the party line at the expense of our district. Just a few examples:
1. After heavy party pressure, he voted against the Roads and Bridges bill that would have brought $17.7 million in new state money to fix our county's roads- which a major paper called the worst in our state.
2. A few months after leaving the mayor's office, he voted the party line to cut Local Government Aid, including cutting 46% of the state aid to his own city of Lindstrom. This money ensures that communities that aren't wealthy can still provide police, fire, water and sewer services to its residents. As a result, property taxes have gone through the roof the past 4 years.
3. Just 8 months after his life was saved by our health care system, he voted to take away health care from 27,200 Minnesotans working full time and paying a premium - again, a party line vote.
I've been doorknocking steadily for 4 months. I've actually been going door-to-door so often that I've worn through two pairs of shoes. The first pair that carried me up to late June is pictured here - I nearly wore a hole through the heels!
I kept doorknocking every day, even when they heat index rose above 106 degrees last month. One Saturday, I went door-to-door in Wyoming, one of my largest towns. After 5 and a half hours, and at least 6 bottles of h2o, my shirt was completely soaked. The last door I visited, I didn't notice the Bush-Cheney sign until I had already rung the doorbell. Well, out stormed a man almost 6'-5", and boy did he want to talk!
"I've owned a small business for 23 years, and your party has done nothing for small businesses..." he began. "But then again, neither has mine for quite a while." I told him about my childhood, growing up helping out in the backrooms of my own family's Main Street business. We ended up talking for 45 minutes. It turns out he went door-to-door for my opponent two years ago. But I still asked for his vote this year, and you know what... he told me I'd earned it, because even though we disagreed on many issues, he liked my honesty and the fact that I listen.
I'm hearing that a lot. Even the two lifelong conservatives and Republicans who succeeded my opponent as Lindstrom Mayor are both endorsing me. They know it's time to put the people's business before political games.
Earlier this month, our local DFL hosted a BBQ for local volunteers. More than 350 came out to party and get energized for victory - quite a change from just 3 years ago when a similar fall event attracted just 30 people in a small staid indoor cafeteria. Check out the photos. Needless to say, our folks are fired up and ready to work as never before.
And this month, I've gained some major endorsements. SEIU and AFSCME are on board, as is the AFL-CIO, and the Saint Paul Building Trades Council. And both the Minnesota Farmers Union Political Action Committee and Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota sent their endorsement. As the son and grandson of public school teachers, I am really proud to be endorsed by the teachers and school employees' organization, Education Minnesota. And the Midwest Values Political Action Committee endorsed my campaign too. You might recognize the main guy behind that organization...
Then, I received this letter:
Dear Jeremy Kalin,
"The Minnesota League of Conservation Voters is pleased to endorse you in your race for the State House of Representatives. You have demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment to preserving Minnesota's natural heritage and we're proud to support you as a conservation champion. We look forward to working with you."
They interviewed my opponent and myself, then decided I was worthy of being just one of 26 conservation leaders and candidates statewide to earn the LCV endorsement. As you can tell, I am really pleased to have their help and support!
Finally, our first campaign finance reporting period ended this Monday. My treasurer suggested we challenge our supporters to raise $500 in the final 4 days, but this being a fairly low-radar race, I wasn't sure we could do it. Boy was I wrong - we raised $881 in just 4 days. We are less than $7,000 away from being completely finished with our fundraising.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? In 4 easy ways.
1. Visit my website regularly at JeremyKalin.com. My volunteer webmasters would love to hear any feedback you have about improving the website. Over the next few weeks, we'll be rolling out a couple of changes, and I'd love your feedback then, too.
2. Tell any friends or family in Minnesota about my campaign. Like any community with strong Midwestern values, Minnesota is a lot smaller than our 5,000,000 population would suggest. You may know someone who knows someone from Lindstrom, North Branch, Taylors Falls, Wyoming, or any other area of Chisago County. Every vote will count on November 7.
3. Contribute whatever you can, through the campaign website. Every little bit adds up - even just $10 or $20, and will allow us to focus on going door-to-door. Thank you!
4. Watch this space for our 3 `BIG IDEAS', starting in mid-September. I believe very strongly that campaigns should be as much about vision and ideas as they are about personality. That's why we're rolling out these 3 BIG IDEAS. I'd love to tell you more about the substance, but you'll just have to wait a few days...
I believe it's time for leaders who can present voters with real choices, and can provide a strong, clear vision around which our communities, our state, and our nation can gather. I'd love your comments, feedback, and help. Thank you!
- Jeremy
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