Mike Erlandson - Goodbye

05/23/2005

Dear Fellow DFLers,

Friday was my last full day as the State Chair of our great Party, and I want to take a moment to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity you have given me to serve as DFL Chair over the last six years.

I also want to thank all of you great Democrats – from Ada to Zumbrota – that have done so much to make the DFL go.  You have given more and worked harder than ever before.  Minnesota is a “battleground state” – we have very close elections.  In politics there is no substitute for hard work and you have provided it.  You have volunteered to knock doors, hold backyard fundraisers, marched in parades, staffed the DFL booth at county fairs, and gave generously to the Party and our candidates.

And you have always backed me up through good times and bad.  I will never forget your support.  Thank you.

Over six years ago I started a campaign for DFL Chair based on the simple proposition that we must be a party that is better at asking people to join than at asking them to leave.  I still believe that and I believe that we have made great strides in making that principle a reality – the key to winning elections.  I am proud today that the DFL Party has tens of thousands more volunteers, activists and grassroots contributors.

Stay involved; help the DFL and our Democratic candidates in 2006 and beyond.  When we work together, we win.

Again, thank you.

Stand up – keep fighting!

Mike Erlandson
Minnesota DFL Party Chair, 1999-2005