SAINT PAUL — August 2, 2022 — Faith in Minnesota, a political home for nearly 7,000 people of faith who are acting boldly and prophetically to create a new, people-centered politics in the state, enthusiastically endorse Tim Walz for Governor and Keith Ellison for Attorney General in the upcoming 2022 election. Top members of Faith in Minnesota representing the organization across race, religion and region conducted a rigorous endorsement process and the choice was clear. Walz and Ellison share a similar vision for Minnesota with us, have a proven track record of success, and are ready to continue fighting for tangible wins for the lives and wellbeing of all Minnesotan families across the state.
Governor Walz has been a long-term champion of addressing our state’s childcare crisis by expanding funding for childcare across the state, including increased funding for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). He was a champion on getting Frontline Worker Bonus Pay passed this legislative session, for which over 1,000,000 Minnesotans have applied to date. Despite obstruction from the Senate GOP, he continues to advocate for wildly popular policies Minnesotan’s deserve, like paid family and medical leave, climate action, and police reform and accountability to ensure Minnesotans – no matter their skin color – are safe in their communities. Here’s what a couple Faith in Minnesota leaders are saying about Walz:
Krissy Devorak, from Bloomington, MN and a leader with Kids Count On Us, coalition of childcare centers organized by Faith in Minnesota, shares why she’s excited to support Walz: “I’m really excited to support Governor Walz and Lieutenant Peggy Flanagan for reelection. They’ve been strong leaders for childcare in our state, and in light of our ongoing crisis in childcare, Minnesota families need them to continue that work. Not only that, Governor Walz creating the children’s cabinet through executive order was a pivotal moment for early childcare and education. We need to see that continue.”
Dan Quillin, from Minneapolis, MN and leader with Faith in Minnesota’s Minneapolis congregations adds: “Walz has a strong commitment to making sure as Minnesotans we are able to care for our families and our future, through things like childcare, paid family and medical leave, and protecting the environment. These are issues that matter to every Minnesotan, and we need him to continue that work another four years.”
Attorney General Keith Ellison has demonstrated a clear commitment to be a champion for Minnesotans of every race, income level, and ZIP code. He has taken on corporate profiteering, people’s access to healthcare, and successfully defended a lawsuit of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act against a set of pharmaceutical groups. Ellison and his team are protecting the rights of working people in Minnesota, serving as a watchdog for wage theft cases and getting back the paychecks people are owed. He is also taking on the housing crisis and protecting renters by suing a set of residential property companies that have hiked rents and made tenants live in substandard conditions – including the most recent win this week against a corporate landlord in Northfield and their illegal practices. And with people around the world watching, Ellison convicted Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. Ellison’s tenure sets a high bar for attorneys general across the country. He is the clear choice for Minnesota’s attorney general and the kind of legal champion people across the state deserve. Here’s what a couple Faith in Minnesota leaders are saying about Keith Ellison:
Cynthia Brown, a leader with Barbershop and Black Congregation Cooperative shares how she sees the direct impact Keith Ellison has made in her life: “I’m excited to support Attorney General Keith Ellison for reelection because he has the same values as me and my community. Minnesota should be place for everyone, no matter the color of your skin and how much money you have. I’m a diabetic, and a three month supply of insulin is $2,400. Him going after the pharmaceutical companies who bump their profits by charging people more for healthcare we need is really hopeful. Ellison is fighting for and working for the people, as our attorney general should.”
Leota Goodney a Northfield resident added: “I’m delighted to support Keith Ellison for attorney general this election. He has been a big advocate for renters, especially those facing substandard living conditions due to bad landlords. In fact, he just took on an out-of-state management company in my town that was mistreating and threatening residents in the mobile home park the company recently purchased. And they’ve backed down as a result. We need Keith Ellison to continue fighting for the needs of the people like this. It’s the kind of leadership Minnesotans deserve.”
The 2022 election will have a direct impact on the lives of Minnesotans across the state and the issues we face. While wealthy corporations rake in record profits by raising the cost of goods and services, families feel the burden at the grocery store and at the gas pump. Parents and educators bear the brunt of chronic underfunding of our schools and childcare centers caused by the Senate GOP’s obstructionism in service to Big Business and the wealthiest people in our state. We are experiencing the impacts of climate change on our communities and health right now, and leaders must respond decisively and urgently. MAGA Republicans are working to undermine our democracy and the people’s right to choose their leaders by restricting people’s access to vote and sowing distrust in our election process through myths and lies. These are all serious issues. We can overcome each and every one of them when when we elect bold leadership and those leaders continue to work with the people well after election day.
Every Minnesotan deserves leaders who will address the issues our state and families face head on. Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are the right leaders for the job.
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Faith in Minnesota, the 501(c)(4) arm of ISAIAH, is a political home for people of faith who are acting boldly and prophetically to create a new, people-centered politics in our state — one rooted in abundance, where everyone is in and no one is out.
Faith in Minnesota’s Electoral Work
In 2020, Faith in Minnesota organized 1,430 volunteer Democracy Captains who lead an ambitious voter engagement program, reaching out to 1,376,600 Minnesotans through texts, doorknocks, and phone calls. Filling over 7,400 shifts, Faith in Minnesota had conversations with 269,171 high potential voters about the 2020 election.