Minnesota Senate District 53, covering a swath of inner ring suburbs nestled between St. Paul and the Wisconsin border, had been out of progressive hands for quite some time. That is, until Wellstone Action training graduates Sandy Rummel and Paul Gardner decide to step up and challenge deep-seated conservative incumbents in the 2006 elections for the state legislature.
Sandy and Paul were successful candidates last November, but their victories were not mere flukes or the result of a momentary shift of the political winds. Rather, they credit their wins to hard work talking to voters and building a progressive organization in the suburbs.
"While there are many factors contributing to these victories", says Tom McSteen, campaign manager for Gardner, "I am certain that one of the most critical factors was the knowledge we gained from attending Wellstone Action training programs -- and, in turn, building a grassroots organization in District 53."
In addition to the candidates, McSteen as well as several other key campaign staff and volunteers attended Camp Wellstone and the Advanced Campaign Management School. The result of these campaigns is a clear progressive infrastructure in District 53 on which to build for 2008, 2010, and beyond.
"We are focused on building an even stronger organization in House District 53A, in preparation for the 2008 election," McSteen explains.Senator Sandy Rummel, Representative Paul Gardner, and the countless progressive activists and supporters that were energized by the campaigns can continue to reach out to voters that share their values and want to build a better Minnesota.
