Popular 14-term DFL Representative Martin Olav Sabo is retiring, leaving Keith Ellison the chance to become the first black representative from Minnesota to the U.S. House of Representatives (as well as the first Muslim to Congress). Ellison, a 2-term Representative from District 58B in the Minnesota State House, is calling for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, the passage of a universal single-payer system of health care, energy independence, and a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Alan Fine, a management consultant and Senior lecturer at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School, is campaigning to protect the environment, fight crime, increase economic and job growth, work towards fiscal responsibility, make health care more affordable, strengthen social security, and improve U.S. diplomacy.
Tammy Lee, former press secretary to North Dakota U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, is currently the Vice President of corporate affairs for The Mark Travel Corporation. Lee is running on a platform that is "fiscally responsible and socially progressive." Lee's stated top priority is to balance the federal budget. Lee has committed to caucusing with the Democrats in Congress, but has pledged to cross over to vote with the GOP on some small business and economic development issues.
Jay Pond, an artist and small business owner, received six percent of the vote in this race in 2004. Pond is calling for an end in the war in Iraq, a single-payer universal health care system, and more investment in wind energy.
University of Minnesota
