To set the record straight, on your comment:
"Cristy, who
I've watched garner endorsements for candidates in the past."
I've never successfully garnered a party endorsement for a candidate. As you may recall, in Lee Helgen's city council race, even after he won the primary, the city DFL party decided not to endorse him (this was prior to the incumbent's passing). I thought it should be a no-brainer, considering the fact that he'd gotten Progressive Minnesota endorsement and other left-leaning groups.
I believe Mogen was chairing the City DFL at the time. We were advised not to pursue endorsement given some silly shenanigans that happened during the endorsing convention (that spring). Not having attended that event, I cannot speak for what those might have been.
My response was (and still is): If the DFL can't get it together to endorse the obvious choice (and a faithful democrat) then they should consider themselves irrelevant.
I'm not opposed to getting party endorsements, or other kinds of endorsements from individuals and organizations and I believe it does help the voters identify common values. In that race, we had to work a little harder and get creative about making sure that the elected officials in the ward (who were DFL endorsed) signed on to the campaign, as well as the Teacher's Federation, Progressive MN, etc. We did so, and were successful despite the lack of party support, or maybe because of it!
Thanks for explaining the special election process, Eric. It is an education for all, and we are deeply grateful. FYI, regular council elections don't have great turnout either - less than 15% in the general election for ward 5 in 2003.
As far as an individual's service to the party, I can see how this makes the party more willing to endorse. However, voters do not care about loyalty and service to the party. They care about themselves, their families, and hopefully, their neighborhoods, their state and their country.
I mean no disrespect to DFL activists and party loyalists who have helped me in the past. I think we just need to recognize that millennials and genXers have decreasing loyalties to _organizations_, despite their loyalties to _people_. For me, as you and many others know, I will go the extra mile to help a friend in need or to fight for an issue I believe in. However, I will not break my back for a party if it cannot do the same in return.
I agree that there are several outstanding and well-qualified candidates running for County Commissioner and we should all be grateful. It seems that we're leaning forward to watch this one though, not sitting back as you suggest.
Cristy
* * * * * * * * * * * * Cristy A. De La Cruz from the "toney" neighborhood of Highland Park
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