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As we reflect on this election season, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our endorsed candidates. Your hard work, dedication, and passion for serving your communities have been truly inspiring. Win or lose, your efforts have brought important issues to the forefront and strengthened the voice of rural Minnesota. Thank you for stepping up, leading with courage, and working tirelessly to make a difference. Together, we continue to build a brighter future for all Minnesotans. With gratitude, The DFL Rural Caucus

Read More Here   I’m very concerned about the future of our country. I am the only viable candidate in this race who will uphold the Constitution, protect liberty, and fight for our rights. We need a strong Congress as a check on executive and judicial powers. I promise to bring meaningful investments to our region and, as an economist, I will focus on tax fairness and fixing our economy so it works for everyone. I’ll represent working people, not corporate interests or political parties.   I’m a mother of two teenage boys. My husband is a criminologist. My grandparents were farmers. I grew up in a small township. My mother raised me and my older sister after divorcing my father (a firefighter, paramedic, and Vietnam veteran) due to his alcoholism. I started working at age 14 parking cars at the county fair, then at a restaurant and grocery store. I know what it’s like to work hard and still struggle to pay bills. I was lucky to get a scholarship and government loan to attend college. I’m a proud graduate of the University of Minnesota.   I have a proven track record of getting things done in a divided government where no party had total control while representing Duluth in the state Legislature. I advanced measures improving access to affordable health care, reducing drug prices, and expanding coverage for telehealth. I closed corporate tax loopholes to make our tax system more fair. I was successful in securing millions of dollars in bonding projects, including the Essentia hospital and St. Luke’s-Aspirus medical district. As a Great Lakes commissioner, I advocated for federal funds to clean up the St. Louis River and to address invasive species.   It's the most chaotic and unproductive Congress in history. Rep. Pete Stauber is part of this by aligning with an extremist faction and corporate interests. He signed the lawsuit attempting to invalidate the 2020 election and voted against investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Stauber is a member of the Republican Study Committee , which supports restricting Social Security and Medicare . Stauber voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which brought jobs and billions in funding for the Blatnik Bridge, roads, lead-line replacement, water treatment, airport improvements, and broadband. Yet, he didn’t hesitate to take credit. Stauber voted against domestic manufacturing (CHIPS Act), against access to contraception, against helping veterans exposed to toxins, against funding law enforcement, against affordable child care, against limiting use of PFAS, against capping the price of insulin, against funding for Ukraine, against a Republican bill lowering health care prices, against labor rights, and against voting rights. He supported an amendment reducing funding to district public schools by $6 million and sponsored a bill preventing access to IVF treatment.   Stauber has failed to deliver for our region. Despite being in office five years, he has passed only two of his bills into law: naming a post office and starting a task force. Stauber’s inability to work with others has resulted in missed economic-development and job opportunities. Stauber blames others and complains about issues he should be solving, including border security.   Stauber doesn’t show up. A town hall he hosted about delisting the wolf divided two groups, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and Hunters for Hunters. He should be spending more time in his own district and hosting in-person town halls so he can listen to folks he’s supposed to represent.   Stauber also ranks near the top for missed votes in Congress (top 11%) and has by far the most missed votes in Minnesota’s congressional delegation.   I will prioritize affordable housing, health care, child care, jobs, education, small businesses, climate resiliency, border security, and safe communities. I will protect veterans, Social Security, Medicare, tribal sovereignty, and our rights. I will fight to keep our rural health care facilities open. I will be a leader for responsible mining. I will listen, work across party lines, put country above party, fight for working families, deliver results, and be on your side.   There is a better way forward and a future where we improve lives by investing in people and in our communities. I ask for your vote in the Aug. 13 primary and Nov. 5 election.   -- Jen Schultz, Democratic candidate for Minnesota's 8th District

Duluth, MN - The Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Rural Caucus is honored to announce its endorsement of Mark Munger for the Minnesota State House in District 3B. With a distinguished career in law, public service, and community involvement, Mark Munger brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to serving the people of District 3B. Born in St. Paul but raised in Duluth from a young age, Mark Munger has deep roots in the community. He graduated with honors from Duluth Denfeld High School, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and the William Mitchell College of Law. With a background as a trial attorney from 1981 to 1998, including serving as Proctor City Attorney for 14 years, Munger has a proven track record of advocating for justice and upholding the law. In 1998, Mark Munger was elected as a Judge and served in that capacity until January 2019. He continued to contribute to the legal system as a senior judge during the pandemic. Munger's commitment to public service extends beyond the courtroom as he is actively involved in the community as the Co-Executive Director of Grace ELCA in Hermantown and serving on the Voyageurs Scout Council Advancement Committee. Mark Munger's extensive experience, commitment to justice, and dedication to community service make him a strong candidate for the Minnesota State House. The DFL Rural Caucus stands behind Mark Munger and encourages voters to support him in the upcoming election. Learn more about Mark at mark4mn.com ###

Membership Resources Discover valuable resources from the Rural Caucus and other Democratic organizations that we recommend. Find meeting minutes, our constitution, and more. Access the resources below. Constitution & Bylaws Learn More Minutes and Agendas Learn More Submit an Event Learn More Resolutions Learn More Committees Learn More Local Units & Caucuses Learn More State DFL Trainings Learn More FAQ Learn More DFL Elected Officials Learn More

Calendar & Events DFL Rural Caucus Annual Meeting Thu, Jan 09 Zoom Jan 09, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Zoom Jan 09, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Zoom Please attend the DFL Rural Caucus Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 6:30pm. Featured at the meeting will be a discussion with former DFL rural legislators and DFL legislative leadership about policies of importance to rural people, and winning DFL legislative races in Greater Minnesota Share Register Now Calendar Rural Caucus Calendar

< Back Lorrie Janatopoulos MN House of Representatives House District 7B Heikkala Lake UO, Minnesota Lorrie Janatopoulos is a lifelong resident of Northeastern Minnesota, active in public work her entire career with over three decades of experience in workforce and community development. Lorrie has served as a Director at the Department of Employment and Economic Development, as well as the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency. Throughout her career she has championed economic development, affordable housing, and protecting the civil and human rights of all Minnesotans. Lorrie holds a Master of Public Affairs from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota, was a 2016 Bush Fellow, and named by the AARP as a “50 over 50 Disruptor” for her fearless work fighting for the Range. info@lorrieforhouse.com Donate Website