Senate District 49 GOP held its fifth annual Fall Conversation, on “Renewing Minnesota’s Education Promise”, on November 20^th.   Almost 60 people attended the event, hosted in the formal setting of the library of the Edina Country Club.  An excellent panel was moderated by Mitch Pearlstein (Center of the American Experiment) and included Chas Anderson (former House Caucus chief of staff and former Deputy Commissioner of Education), Devin Foley (Intellectual Takeout/Better Ed) and Mike McFadden (Christo Rey Jesuit High School, Tesfa International School). 

Mitch Pearlstein began the conversation by emphasizing how important education is at a time of family fragmentation and growing income inequity.  Each of the speakers was then asked to make 1-2 main points that they wanted people to take away with them.  Mike McFadden reminded everyone of Minnesota’s historical leadership in education as demonstrated by Orville Freeman’s beginning of tax credits, pioneering in charter schools and tax credits.  Since then, Mike felt we’ve lost our way as evidenced by unacceptable public school performance results.   He believed that nothing is more important than our children and that we as Republicans should “put a stake in the ground” about the importance of education.  He is confident that we are going to get the lead back.

Dario Anselmo announced his intention to run for the District 49A seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives on November 10.  He is a small businessman and entrepreneur who co-founded the Warehouse District Business Association and is a member of the Minneapolis Downtown Council.  He, his wife, Jeanne, and three children live in Edina's Parkwood Knolls neighborhood.  He has served on the boards of the Edina Education Fund, Edina Give and Go, and the Minnesota Mental Health Association.  He has been president of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance  

The Star Tribune reported that "Dario Anselmo will again challenge Rep. Ron Erhardt, DFL-Edina, in an important suburban House race." 

Anselmo intends to seek the endorsement of Senate District 49 Republicans.  He will meet with the SD49 Candidate Search Committee, a required precursor to being nominated at the SD 49 Republican endorsing convention.  The convention will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016.

Volunteer Reporter & Photographer

It wasn’t exactly a Republican roundup, but the sprawling ranch-like cowboy bar may soon become Republican SD 49’s new watering hole. It was here at Cowboy’s Jack’s Saloon that SD 49 & the Minnesota Young Republicans settled down for their 2nd Young Republican’s Happy Hour as the sun set on a cool Oct 2nd evening. The choice of this venue was excellent for this hearty band of party activists.

Local Republicans came back to the ‘Wild West’ at Bloomington’s only authentic cowboy bar

About 30 SD49, Minnesota Young Republicans, and Twin Cities Young Republicans shared a convivial mood at our second Happy Hour event in the bar’s lounge. It was an evening for exchanging email addresses, sharing ideas, and getting other’s opinions on matters of the day. While conversations ranged from Millennials’ outreach to the abrupt change in weather, I sensed an overall relief from hectic summer days and an eagerness for Fall grassroots building culminating with next year’s elections.

When I talked with one young SD49er the next day, he told me that, “It was a very nice opportunity to meet and talk with people associated with the YRs as well as with people from SD49 and get to know them better. The YR people were very friendly and interested in getting to know SD 49 people. It was a good opportunity to learn about their perspectives on issues, organizations, etc.”

Although the food and the spirits consumed have since worn off, the spirit of youthful activism so fervently alive that evening will continue in our minds as vibrant memories.

If you would like to participate in any of our upcoming events, or learn more about our active event’s calendar, please click here. Reservations fill quickly, so plan ahead and make your reservation today!

Jennie Lissarrague and Stephen Tellier * September 22, 2015

The Minneapolis City Council has agreed to investigate whether to boost the city's minimum wage to $15 per hour.

At a meeting Tuesday morning, the council agreed to hire an outside company to conduct a study of the impact a minimum wage increase would have on Minneapolis, as well as Hennepin and Ramsey counties. The study will examine a $12 minimum wage, as well as a $15 minimum wage, and would cost $150,000.

The hope is that it would be completed by next spring.

Tom Scheck · Oct 1, 2015

Buying health coverage through MNsure will get a lot more expensive for many people next year.

Average rate increases for individual and family coverage will range from 14 percent to 49 percent compared to 2015, the agency said Thursday. The highest average rate increase — 49 percent — will come from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the state's largest insurer.

Full Agenda Keeps SD 49ers Busy at September Dinner Meeting

SD 49 members and guests congregated at Calvary Lutheran Church in Edina for our monthly dinner meeting to elect a new senate district vice chair, hear speeches, and join together for an evening meal. Chef Barb Nazarian, Russ Burnison and Dar Gray served up a delicious dinner guaranteed to quench hearty appetites and sustenance to last the evening.