MELENDEZ, DFL STATE OFFICERS RE-ELECTED
02/10/2007
ST. PAUL (2/10/07) – After historic electoral victories in the 2006 elections, the State DFL Central Committee re-elected each of its officers today, including Chair Brian Melendez and Associate Chair Donna Cassutt, at North Branch Senior High School. After a narrow victory two years ago, Melendez was re-elected by acclamation.
Facing a Republican-controlled Minnesota House, Republicans in four of the five constitutional offices and partisan parity in Minnesota’s congressional delegation, Melendez and Cassutt led the party to a significant resurgence.
Southern Minnesotans unseated a long-time, popular Republican incumbent and elected DFL Rep. Tim Walz to represent the rural First Congressional District, shifting the balance of the congressional delegation to favor the DFL Party.
“I was honored today by the Central Committee’s support,” Melendez said. “Minnesota was labeled a battleground state when I was elected Chair but, with our activists’ work, Minnesotans realized which party can best address the important issues facing our state. I’m proud of the work that we did and I look forward to building on our success over the next two years.”
During Melendez’s speech after being re-elected, he voiced his vision for the Party’s future.
“We must build an effective and relentless party organization … not for ourselves, but for those the DFL Party speaks for,” Melendez said during his speech.
Melendez and Cassutt’s leadership received widespread praise from a diverse group of DFLers that represents a true cross-section of Minnesota.
“Over the last two years, Brian Melendez and Donna Cassutt led our party with determination, confidence and an unwavering vision of building a lasting majority party,” former Minnesota DFL Chair and current DNC member Rick Stafford said. “Brian reached out to our party’s diverse core of activists, brought them together and enlisted their support to focus our state on the issues most important to everyday Minnesotans.”
“Brian took a statewide approach to the party and enabled us to focus on bread-and-butter issues like education, health care, property tax reform and transportation,” Rep. Jeremy Kalin (DFL-North Branch) said. “He built the party infrastructure and got out of the way to allow us to focus on the people’s issues more than partisan politics.”
“Although I supported his opponent two years ago, Brian quickly won me over with the high-quality staff he recruited, the vigorous support the party provided to grassroots activists and his laser-like focus on winning elections,” Senate District 65 Chair John Stiles said. “I couldn’t have been happier to support both Brian and Donna for re-election.”
“Brian’s re-election was unanimous affirmation of his ability to activate the party faithful and make them great leaders in their communities,” Matt Klaber, DFL State Executive Committee member from Mankato said. “Brian brought notable national success to the DFL Party through new standards of transparency and professionalism.”
“Today’s unanimous vote is a shining example of Brian’s exceptional leadership, incredible success in last year’s elections and the benefits of running a tight ship,” said Buck Humphrey, State Central Committee member representing Senate District 43.
“Brian and Donna have done an incredible job of bridging the gap between rural and metro DFLers,” Lori Bergland Olson, State Central Committee member from Thief River Falls said. “They brought people with very different worldviews together and have been able to reach out to activists across the state.”
“Brian and Donna understand that the work at the local level builds the foundation for the party’s success all across the state,” Dave Lee, chair of the Fifth Congressional District, said. “Brian worked at the local level for years and knows what it’s like. It’s great to see the state party supporting us and reaching out to us. I’m excited to see the party continue building on the successes of 2006.”
“Through his leadership and energy, Brian has reignited the spirit of grassroots organizing in the DFL Party,” Lori Sellner (Sleepy Eye), chair of the First Congressional District, said. “His re-election ensures that our party will continue to have success in all corners of the state.”
Melendez's speech as prepared for delivery:
“To change the world, we must win elections; and to win elections, we must build an effective and relentless party organization.” Two years ago, I asked with those words for your vote. You honored me with your trust, your confidence, and this office. And together, we have begun building that effective and relentless organization.
We had to! Not for ourselves, but for those that the DFL Party speaks for. For too long the other party turned its back our teachers, our farmers, our soldiers, our unions. For too long the other party couldn’t hear certain voices: voices more diverse than theirs, voices calling for fairness — and opportunity — and common sense.
Well, after the last election, I have a question for the other party: Can you hear us now?
They heard, alright, and because of you. You did it. You did it by phone-banking, by door-knocking, by lit-dropping, by building a voter file.
You raised the minimum wage. You ensured adequate funding for public education, and loans for good students who can’t afford college. You made sure that the Farm Bill will take care of Minnesota farmers, and that organized Labor will get a seat at the table. You slammed the brakes on the war. And I am honored that you let me stand with you — and serve you — while you changed our party, our state, and our nation.
Serving as your State DFL Chair has been intense, challenging, frustrating, and exhilarating. Together, we’re making a difference, and we’re doing it by living up to the promises that you elected me for: stronger local organizing, greater transparency, and a more positive message.
But changing our world isn’t short term work and, as we know, it didn’t end last November. Our task is far from finished. Too many still lack adequate health care. Too many must choose between medicine and food, between educating their children or growing old with dignity. And if the President has his way, too many will still die in a reckless war.
So we will not rest, and we will not relent. We will not turn down the volume. If you reelect me, we will not rest on our laurels. Together we’ll hold onto our gains from 2006. Together we’ll take back Paul Wellstone’s seat in the Senate. And together, we’ll help take back the White House!
Let me suggest a few other goals as well:
First, building a stronger grassroots party, shifting the field staff’s focus from campaigning, to building up stronger local units, getting ready for the 2008 cycle.
Second, fighting for every seat, even county commissions and other local offices — to pin down Republican resources, and to build up a “farm team” ready for legislative and congressional races.
Third, a more inclusive Coordinated Campaign, which includes you in the planning, not just the execution, so that all the stakeholders shape and appreciate the enterprise from the ground up.
We will keep lifting up our voices for those who have had no voice. Together, we will change the world, from the state house to the White House.
For two years I have worked with you and for you. I ask to stand with you and serve you again. I’m Brian Melendez and I would appreciate your vote.