Paul Thissen: Innovation in Action

Don Fraser: Thissen Best Choice for MN

Dear DFLer,

Irresponsible leadership in the Governor’s office is costing our state dearly.  . We must reverse the ill-advised moves of the current Republican administration, including its conspicuous efforts to shift tax burdens away from the well-to-do, and onto the rest of us.

The stakes in this election are high and the challenges daunting. I believe that Paul Thissen is the candidate who gives us our best chance of restoring progressive leadership to the governor’s office.

Other candidates began this campaign with stronger name recognition, but as election day draws near, voters make their own assessments. They take the measure of the candidates and what they will bring to the office they seek.

A close look at Paul Thissen tells us what the voters will see as the campaign for governor proceeds.  Paul’s forebearers homesteaded in western Minnesota.  His parents taught in the Richfield and St. Paul public schools. He grew up in Bloomington, excelled at school, graduated from Harvard and went on to study law at the University of Chicago.  After law school, he and Karen moved back to Minnesota where they are raising their three kids who attend public schools.

Paul served as a state public defender and then built a successful legal career at a Minneapolis law firm, where he also chaired the pro bono committee that provides free legal services to nonprofits across the state, and to low-income Minnesotans.

Eight years ago, he knocked on every door in his legislative district, campaigned by listening to what people had to say, and won.  As chair of the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee, he has been a leader in addressing health care needs in Minnesota.

Paul Thissen is a fresh face that will breathe new life into the campaign.  He is convinced that hard work is the only way to win elections, and listening is the only way to govern effectively.

I believe that as Paul Thissen becomes known, he represents our best chance to put Minnesota back on the road as a leading state in our nation. As Democrats, we need to learn the lessons of our past losses in the governor’s race.  The old model of name recognition and politics as usual will not work.  We need a fresh face and new ideas if we want to win in November.

Paul Thissen is the candidate who can defeat the Republicans and take back the corner office at the Capitol for the DFL.   Check him out at www.paulthissen.com.

Thank you,

Don Fraser

Former 5th Congressional District Representative

Former Mayor of Minneapolis

Thissen rallies with nurses to save GAMC

Thissen rallies for GAMC.

Paul Thissen rallied with hundreds of Minnesota nurses today at the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda.  The rally focused on  saving GAMC, a health care program for vulnerable Minnesotans.

Thissen told the cheering crowd that, “Tim Pawlenty crossed a moral line when he vetoed GAMC.”  He urged the nurses to pressure Legislators to override Pawlenty’s veto.  “The movement needs to happen outside the walls of the Capitol and come in to put pressure on Legislators to do the right thing,” Thissen said.

Thissen has traveled the state in support of GAMC last summer and has strongly supported protecting vulnerable Minnesotans, including 8,000 veterans, from this harmful budget cut.  Last week, he rallied thousands of his supporters to call their Legislators to override Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the program.

Thissen is a leader on health care in Minnesota.  He received a “Legislative All Star” award for his work on health care.  Thissen earned the Minnesota Nurses Association endorsement in his campaign for Governor this fall.

Karen’s Corner: Strong Showing in Greater MN

The entire Thissen clan had lots of fun traveling to conventions in Morrison, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Todd and Hubbard Counties this weekend, as well as stops in Hennepin, Dakota & Ramsey Counties.

We had lots of great support in each of the counties we visited, and were able to pick up many committed delegates to the April State Convention in Duluth.

The kids love saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the conventions, and of course always generously sample the snacks at each stop!  I am sincerely inspired by the many new friends we are making across the state and all the time that they are putting into this process.

Thissen Stands Up for GAMC

Dems move to override Pawlenty’s GAMC veto

Thissen Earns Excellent Rating on Racial Equity Report Card

Paul Thissen earned the highest rating of any candidate for governor in either political party on the Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity.  Thissen was the second-highest scoring legislator, overall.

The Organizing Apprenticeship Project, a Minnesota non-profit that advocates for racial equity, compiled the Report Card. Thissen was named a “champion for racial equity” because of his efforts to advocate for racial equity in the 2009 legislative session.

“Last session, because of the leadership of Paul Thissen, Minnesota made progress toward racial justice.  Progress included requiring hiring equity for green jobs and advancing parity in the criminal justice system,” said Jermaine Toney of Organizing Apprenticeship Project. “Unfortunately, Governor Tim Pawlenty’s unilateral cuts to programs providing critical support for communities of color and low-income families undermined many of the good legislative accomplishments in the 2009 session.”

Thissen was thrilled with the rating, adding, “Minnesota is a changing state.  We are more diverse, growing older, and competing in a global economy.  As Legislators and leaders, we need to be vigilant about the impact that our decisions have on diverse Minnesota communities.  It is rewarding to have that vigilance recognized by advocates for racial equity.”

For a complete copy of the 2009 Minnesota Legislative Report Card on Race Equity, please go to OAP’s website at www.oaproject.org