The Tour
The state DFL Listening Tour stops in Minneapolis this Thursday, November 13, at the Sabathani Community Center (6:30–7:30 p.m.). We’ll be there — curious to see whether the event brings clarity to a party struggling to define its message and direction.
If you’d like to participate but are unable to attend, you can still add your comments on the DFL website.
Now is the Time
We applaud State Party Chair Richard Carlbom for bringing the Listening Tour to Minneapolis. His effort comes at a time when the party is experiencing significant internal strife. The recent municipal election demonstrated that, although support for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) does not constitute a majority, it remains a formidable presence. Sen. Omar Fateh secured 44% of the vote running as a DSA/DFL candidate, a not insignificant amount. The State DFL will have to come to terms with DSA voters, or it risks losing them. The struggle to define the party’s direction may keep the DFL from growing and strengthening.
It’s too soon to know whether Republican challengers for governor can capitalize on this division, but Governor Walz’s path to reelection has undoubtedly grown more complicated because of their strong showing. Some DFLers may simply stay home — or cast protest votes — forcing Walz to work harder for suburban and rural support. To win his reelection, Walz needs strong support from voters in Minneapolis and Duluth.
The 365-Day Election Cycle
Even in an off year, politics never really stops in Minnesota. With the 2026 elections still a ways off, this quieter stretch offers the DFL a rare opportunity—to pause, regroup, and clarify what it actually stands for. Right now, the message feels scattered.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at a few issues the DFL needs to confront if it hopes to regain coherence and momentum. Let’s start with healthcare.
Healthcare: A Test of Unity
Healthcare affects everyone, but the DFL hasn’t landed on a clear, unified plan. Two leading candidates for Senate—Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig—both have ideas, but they approach the problem from different angles.
Flanagan, who recently earned Bernie Sanders’ endorsement, favors a Medicare for All model and stronger limits on insurance company profits. Craig takes a more incremental route—focusing on patient safety, lowering prescription drug costs, and giving Medicare more power to negotiate prices.
Both are addressing real problems, but Minnesotans might benefit from a broader conversation: what would a Minnesota-based healthcare solution look like?
A Local Approach Worth Considering
The many public unions in the state currently negotiate their own insurance contracts—a complicated, costly system that dilutes their collective bargaining power. Instead, could Minnesota pool all public employees—teachers, county staff, park workers, and more—into a single statewide plan?
A combined plan could use its size to negotiate better rates and more comprehensive coverage. The savings could be significant, and the benefits could extend beyond government workers if residents without employer-sponsored insurance were allowed to buy in.
This kind of reform would also simplify labor negotiations. Healthcare would no longer be included in union contracts, freeing both sides to focus on wages and working conditions.
Why It Matters
This idea might be ambitious—or even impractical—but it reflects something deeper the DFL needs to reclaim: the willingness to innovate locally rather than wait for Washington. A coherent, Minnesota-grown healthcare plan could do more than improve coverage; it could remind voters of why they support the DFL.
Tolerance Levels
DFL Rep. Erin Koegel (39A) recently announced she won’t seek reelection, citing a toxic atmosphere where “people are not open to ideas because of the letter behind your name versus the content of the idea.” That exhaustion may explain why Democrats are struggling to rekindle voter enthusiasm.
Currently, the DFL holds more influence in Minnesota than Democrats do nationally. That may be one reason Rep. Ilhan Omar has spent much of the past year campaigning for local candidates — her leverage in Congress has diminished, leaving her more active on the home front.
Now, Latonya Reeves has entered the race under the banner “It’s Time for Change,” setting up a contest that’s likely to reopen the same divisions we saw in the mayoral race. Namely, Ilhan Omar running with support of the Minneapolis DSA, and Latonya Reeves running as a more centrist candidate. The upcoming Senate primary between Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan will likely expose those same rifts as well.
Conclusion
Through this newsletter, we hope to explore the ideas and leadership needed to restore faith in government as a springboard for progress rather than an impediment.
If the DFL can craft clear, forward-looking policies on healthcare, the economy, and public safety, it has a chance to unite voters and drive meaningful change. For now, though, it remains mired in social media outrage, perpetual fundraising, and symbolic gestures that generate noise but little movement.
The Listening Tour offers a chance to reset that conversation — and we’ll be listening closely.
