Local DFL holds first in-person convention since 2018

by Jim Boyle

Editor

Local Democrats gathered at Prairie View Middle School in Otsego on Saturday, April 13, for the Senate District 30 DFL Convention.

This was the group’s first in-person convention since 2018 after the pandemic.

“So much has changed after the presidential preference was removed from the caucus process,” said Bobby Walerius, Senate District 39 DFL chair. “We considered the convention a great success and a tremendous opportunity to reconnect with other old friends and community members whom we haven’t seen in some time. It was also a great opportunity to meet and bring new folks into the process and elevate their voices in the party.”

The convention attracted two dozen people and included speeches from Sonja Buckmeier, a candidate for House District 30A, as well as Jay Reeves, a candidate for Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District. (See announcement on page 36).

Buckmeier is expected to be endorsed at the next Senate District 30 meeting as well as a candidate who has stepped forward for the House District 30B, Walerius said.

House District 60A Rep. and Assistant House Majority Leader Sydney Jordan, of Northeast Minneapolis, was in attendance. She spoke on behalf of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is running for reelection, and for DFL candidates across the state of Minnesota.

The delegates elected included Dale Ziner, Mohammed Jallad, Tom Kerber, Lori Schulstad-Werk, Aqueelah Whitfield, Chuck Roehrdanze, Marla Zappa, Diane Lynch, Bobby Walerius, Chad Hobot and Kim Hendricks.

In addition to the selection of new leadership for SD30, an updated constitution was passed as well as a host of resolutions on a wide range of topics.