My Point of View, By Robin Brown

Last Tuesday was precinct caucus night, and my husband, Joe, and I participated. The event was a success due to hard work and planning by many great people. Caution suggests I should not start thanking people by name, as I will most certainly forget someone who worked quietly behind the scenes. With that said, I feel the need to share my appreciation of the many that made caucus night such a welcoming and enjoyable experience.

First, thank you to our Freeborn County DFL chair, who worked tirelessly with our DFL board members to make this event happen. We have a wonderful team that works well together. Thank you to everyone who came early to set up and stayed late to put everything away. Thank you to those who made the coffee and thought it might be nice to bring some cookies to share. Also, thank you to our caucus chair, who led the caucus with knowledge, skill and humor.

And thank you to The Eagles Club for the use of your facility. The choice to host DFL events at The Eagles Club has almost become a tradition as it has met our needs for space, accommodations, atmosphere and hospitality.

Precinct caucuses are important for several reasons. Delegates are selected to attend future conventions and can become a part of the endorsement process.

This year we will be endorsing DFL candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state, state representative for District 27A and 1st Congressional District congressman.

Participants also have the opportunity to propose resolutions to our party platform. Resolutions are discussed, debated and voted upon. If approved, resolutions move through the process and may soon define the ideals of the DFL as a part of our party platform.   

Meeting candidates is another aspect of attending precinct caucuses, as well as the various conventions. Precinct caucuses are held on the same night and at the same time across Minnesota, so candidates are more limited in their ability to participate.  This year, Vicki Jensen, candidate for the First Congressional District; Tommy Martinez, candidate for District 27A; and newly announced candidate for District 27A, Colin Minehart, were able to attend.

The Freeborn County DFL convention is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 18 at the Albert Lea Union Center at 1407 N. Highway 13. Delegates to the legislative endorsing convention will be selected at that time.

Since there are currently multiple candidates running for the endorsement for District 27A, the legislative endorsing convention is of high importance. The legislative endorsing convention for District 27A and 27B will be at 1 p.m. May 6 at the Hormel Nature Center in Austin. And, of course, delegates and visitors are always welcome to attend caucuses and conventions.

With multiple DFL candidates running for the District 27A seat, I look forward to the debates to come and an airing of the issues. I look forward to hearing each candidate’s vision for our district, state and nation. I look forward to learning about the candidates’ areas of interest, passion and expertise.

My hope and belief is that a candidate will emerge who has a deep passion for doing work that will improve the lives of others. That this candidate will embrace the importance of creating policy that will support education, environment, infrastructure, health care, agriculture, veterans, the less fortune and small business. And that this candidate will have an ethic of lifelong learning that will serve us well as he or she prepares for a future of public service.

My hope is that this candidate understands the diversity of our community — its assets as well as its challenges — and is willing to create bold policy backed with a budget that promises to improve lives for generations to come.

I believe there is a DFL candidate out there who fits this description. I believe that person has a passion for service and a vision for our community that we will embrace and be proud of. I believe that person can win the House for the people of District 27A. I look forward to Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Robin Brown is a former DFL District 27A representative.