Becky Lourey: The outcome is too important.

06/15/2006

June 15, 2006

Dear Friend,

Last weekend the DFL convention was an exhilarating experience. It was fantastic to see so many committed citizens gathering to discuss how to improve the state of Minnesota. As you all know, our campaign was disappointed with the outcome of the DFL endorsing convention. But, as we all know, regardless of the outcome the Democrats were going to have a primary election. Had Steve Kelley or I earned the endorsement, Mike Hatch had committed to run against either one of us. With that in mind, I stated my intention last November to run in the primary.

Some have asked Tim Baylor and me to drop out of the race and support the endorsed candidate. There is a mistaken belief that if the party unifies now behind Mike Hatch we will win in November. Democrats have unified before and lost. Tim and I with our spouses have thought and prayed about our decision. We see nothing different in this year’s DFL endorsement from those that resulted in the defeats of the past.

If we are to restore Minnesota’s values in November, there must be another choice.

I believe in the democratic process of elections. All Democrats deserve a choice in selecting their next governor not just those committed few who attended the three-stage endorsement process. Because the outcome of November’s race is so critical, all Democrats are entitled to have a vote in the process of choosing their candidate.

History has shown that when Democrats run without providing voters with a vision or a true conviction to improving their lives, we lose elections. I have articulated a clear vision and have offered up real solutions for the mounting problems facing our families, our businesses, our educational system, and our environment.

This election must be about the issues that are most important to Minnesotans today – universal health care, an education system that closes the achievement and opportunity gap, a comprehensive transportation system, fair and equitable taxation, energy independence, and protecting and preserving our lands. We cannot let this election simply focus on personalities.

We truly believe that we need an open and honest discussion about the values that Minnesotans hold dear. For far too long the Republicans, and this governor in particular, have stated a belief in something and then supported legislation or policy that is completely opposite of that alleged belief. That’s cynical and dishonest politics.

Minnesota’s politicians must stop claiming that every child deserves a quality education while cutting funding for our classrooms; crying out support the family while throwing 35,000 Minnesotans out of the health care system. For the last four years we have heard pronouncements of opposition to new taxes while cutting LGA funds to our local units of government thereby forcing property tax hikes. This deception must stop.

With your support we can restore real integrity to the governor’s office.

Tim Baylor and I are so excited about this campaign. Right now, we really need your help. We have never received the support of those with deep pockets or special interests; our donations have come from working families across this state who want something different. We need to raise a considerable sum of money in a short time to get our message out. Please be generous. Please go to our website at http://resources.beckylourey.org and contribute online, or call us toll free at the office at 817-217-8400

Campaign events are posted on our website calendar. Please join us at a house party or fundraiser. We look forward to seeing you at the house parties, holiday parades and county fairs.

Thank you,

Becky Lourey
Candidate for Governor

Tim Baylor
Candidate for Lt. Governor