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On Saturday the Freeborn County Democratic Farmer Labor Party held its county convention at the Union Center in Albert Lea.

Rachel Bowman, a Rochester lawyer running for 1st District Congressperson, began the convention with a speech recounting her story of growing up in poverty in Rochester and remembering the many people and families who helped her to thrive and become successful.

She asked for delegates present to spread the word that she was excited about running, looked forward to listening to the residents of the district, and would work hard for citizens and not for the wealthy or large corporations.

Delegates re-elected Julie Ackland, chairwoman; Mike Lee, vice chairman; Tarah Hall Sather, secretary; Ehren Qual, treasurer; and Therese Salazar, outreach officer.

The party voted to send six delegates to the 1st District Congressional Convention in Owatonna and the state convention in Duluth: Julie Ackland, Mary Hinnenkamp, Leslie Kaup, Ted Hinnenkamp, Walter Witt and Terry Gjersvick. Alternates elected were Jennifer Vogt-Erickson, Angie Hanson and Ehren Qual.

They also passed 15 resolutions to be considered at the state convention on issues ranging from supporting the formation of a health care commission, protecting democracy, supporting child care funding, increasing public safety and supporting the testing of private wells.