Minneapolis City Council races: "Not progressive enough" a liability at precinct caucuses

[portlander23]

In Minneapolis City Council races, so far there's left, and further left
"Not progressive enough" a liability at precinct caucuses
Adam Belz
Star Tribune

Emboldened by Bernie Sanders’ domination of the city in the presidential caucus and prodded to action by Donald Trump’s election, the left wing in Minneapolis is fielding a slate of candidates for council who would usher in a pronounced progressive shift in city government.

Many of them are uncompromising on a $15 minimum wage, outraged at what they see as inaction on racial economic disparities and insistent that Minneapolis defy the Trump administration by remaining a sanctuary city despite threats to its federal funding. They also want council action on the rising cost of housing and for the city to lead the charge against climate change.

“People are feeling power has betrayed their trust and it comes down to the word ‘progressive,’ ” said Alex Hoselton, one of the organizers of a mid-December caucus training event put on by Our Revolution, the national spinoff of the Bernie Sanders campaign. “It’s been thrown around, and it lost its value in this city.”

The Our Revolution caucus training, which attracted 150 people to the Solar Arts Building in northeast Minneapolis, was aimed at the city’s April 4 precinct caucuses, where the party chooses delegates who will decide DFL endorsements. It was a hip crowd that trended young. Bags of potato chips and pretzels and a canister of peanuts were set out on a table in back, and a few children squirmed on parents’ laps.

“Join me and our neighbors on Tuesday, April 4th, to help determine if the government of Minneapolis will reflect how progressive our city is,” they said. “Caucuses can be an insider process and without a presidential election, turnout is likely to be low. By showing up prepared for this process, we can ensure that city politics reflects our values.”

State by state, city by city.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Think I'll try to make it to that.

Here in my precinct of the People's Republic of Minneapolis, the vote went to HRC by 93%; the alleged Bernie Bros here turned out in force for Hillary.