My DFL History

I was born a DFLer and grew up in a union, DFL world where Hubert Humphrey was a god. In rural Duluth, Republicans were few and far between. As a kid, to meet one was like discovering a space alien. When I reached high school age and had to go to school downtown, I was able to skip the bus ride home and volunteer at Humphrey campaign headquarters after school, getting a ride home with my Dad when he was done with work. One of the enduring sadnesses of my young life was Humphrey's loss in '68. I still wonder what kind of forward-looking, culturally and scientifically advanced, working class utopia this country might be right now if he had won.

My older sister took me to my first caucus when I turned 18. At the next caucus I was proud to be elected precinct captain and held that position a number of times. In 1990, I founded and chaired the Northland DFL Lesbian/Gay Caucus and later became the Affirmative Action Director of my senate district. I went on to manage a city council campaign and a successful DFL legislative campaign that unseated a longtime Republican incumbent. I worked in the office of DFL Lieutenant Governor, Marlene Johnson as part of her transition team and was a contender for a staff position with the newly-elected Senator,Paul Wellstone. In 1992, I set up and ran an all-volunteer campaign office for Jerry Brown's Democratic presidential bid, taking advantage of free media and creative campaign events, winning in the City of Duluth. In 1994, I was a delegate to the DFL State Convention. Earlier that year I founded the International Workers' Day Committee to stage a worker rally in the Duluth Civic Center each May Day.

I have strong DFL ties and I believe in the economic and social justice principles of the party, more so, I dare say, than many DFL office holders. However, I am no longer a member of the DFL. After a long learning process, I came to believe that I could do more for DFL principles from outside the DFL or any other party. That's what I'm doing, now.