Political Affairs Report - January

2008 Precinct Caucuses
In Iowa on January 3rd, nearly 350,000 people participated in that state’s “first in the nation” caucuses, making it by far the most heavily attended in history.  Here in Minnesota, we will get our turn on Tuesday February 5th. Coined “Super Duper Tuesday,” approximately 24 primaries and caucuses will be held on that day nation-wide. 

Precinct caucuses provide a tremendous gateway into grass-roots politics for MAPE members. Caucus training will be held on January 29th, 7:00pm at MAPE. Caucus training materials are available for distribution in your regions by contact Kendal Killian at kkillian@mape.org. Team MAPE will also be distributing caucus resolutions supporting MAPE legislative priorities to bring to your caucus. For more information, please visit TeamMAPE.org.

• Click here to register for caucus training: http://www.teammape.org/regcaucus.html
• Click here to sign the "I will caucus" pledge: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/TeamMAPEcaucus

Happy New Year: Priority #1 – Keep the House majority!
What is Team MAPE’s New Year’s resolution? To maintain a friendly majority in the Minnesota House! MAPE has about 90 members in the House that we can count on to support of MAPE legislation. Because of the high number of supportive incumbents, our 2008 campaign strategy will be focused mostly on “defense,” defending the seats of vulnerable legislators. MAPE will work deliberately to organize members in key districts in support of these candidates.

Special Election- Senate District 25
January 3rd a Special Election was held in Senate District 25 to replace Senator-turned-judge Thomas Neuville. Education Minnesota member Kevin Dahle, buoyed by strong support in the city of Northfield, cruised to a 55% to 42% victory over prevailing wage opponent Ray Cox. With the addition of Senator-Elect Dahle, the DFL Senate Caucus now controls a veto-proof majority in the 67 seat body. 

MAPE PAC
At their final 2007 meeting, the MAPE PAC chose Cathleen Cotter as the next MAPE PAC Chair. Cathleen is an experienced political activist and a recent graduate of the Center for Advocacy and Political Leadership at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She was also a delegate to her party’s state convention in 2006. The PAC will meet later in January to fill vacant board positions, finalize the 2008 budget and discuss the endorsement process.

MAPE Action Team Training
As you know, MAPE held two intense grass-roots political trainings in 2007, preparing over 30 participants success in their legislative and political organizing efforts. MAPE staff is working with Erik Peterson of Wellstone Action to plan more training opportunities this year. These trainings are set for May 30th and 31st and September 5th and 6th. Formal registration will begin in April.

In solidarity,

Kendal Killian   
MAPE Political Affairs Coordinator