First Time In 48 Years
"Letter to Editor"11/07/2007
Dear Friends,
I'm Brittany Edwards, the full-time DFL field director for the Third Congressional District in the western Twin Cities suburbs. With the retirement of long-time Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad, this is a really exciting time to have my job. And thanks to the Democratic National Committee and Governor Howard Dean's "50-State Strategy," I'm able to be in the field every day of the year getting ready for 2008.
In the meantime, we have a lot of work to do to get ready for next year, and your contribution of $50, or whatever you can afford, will help us to get our work done for 2008. And now, you can contribute to both the DFL and the eventual nominee in the Third District. All contributions from this e-mail will be split between the Minnesota DFL Party and the eventual nominee in the Third District through ActBlue.
So let me tell you a little more about me and what we are doing in the Third.
I've been lucky enough to work in the Third since 2004. That year was a turning point for us, because so many talented, energetic people turned out to volunteer for the first time. Since then, I've worked really hard to make sure they stayed involved with the party. In the past several years, we've chalked up a lot of wins, with many new DFL legislators now in previously Republican-held seats.
In order to win the Third for the first time in 48 years, we need to meet two big challenges. The first one is bringing home Democrats who usually vote for most of our ticket, but who over many years have grown comfortable voting for Jim Ramstad. With Ramstad no longer on the ballot and George Bush's approval ratings so low, it's time for Democrats to come home. With your help I'm sure we can make that happen.
The second challenge is reaching out to the district's thousands of dissatisfied Republicans and independents and persuading them that the DFL Party now represents their values and priorities. These are folks whom Bush and the Republican Party -- because of "staying the course" in Iraq and spending our money on the wrong priorities, have simply left behind. With your help we can make that happen too.
One of the most important ways we'll accomplish these goals is by building our party's capacity, particularly through huge turnout at the February 5 precinct caucuses. I'm working with activists to make sure that all our caucus-goers feel at home. Please help us give them a warm welcome.
But we also have fun. Last Saturday, folks from Senate Districts 32, 43 and 46 hosted a first-ever, Third District-wide barn dance in Osseo for 160 people, including all our candidates for U.S. Senate and House. I think that when we make time for people to line dance with each other as well as work on campaigns, it's a lot more likely we'll build the long-term relationships that contribute to long-term success.
I got started in politics when I was 11 after persuading my dad to run for City Council in my hometown of South Haven, Minnesota. My friends and I were mad because there wasn't a space in our park where kids could play baseball without getting kicked off by adult leagues. My dad said he'd only run if I ran his campaign, so I designed a flyer for him and on Halloween distributed it to every house in town. He won with the highest vote total in South Haven's history, and from then on I was hooked.
So as a bit of a political junkie, I'm looking forward to the upcoming year and I hope to keep you updated as the campaign progresses. In the meantime, we would really appreciate your contribution of $50 or whatever you can afford to help to keep our work going in the Third District. People across the country are looking to us to take this seat to ensure that Democrats can keep getting the job done for us in Congress. Let's make sure Minnesota doesn't let them down.
Sincerely,
Brittany Edwards
Field Director, Third Congressional District
Minnesota DFL Party
P.S. The DFL Party will split all contributions you make through this message with our eventual nominee in the Third. Contribute today and help us win this important Congressional Seat.