Happenings at the 2025 DFL Convention
Commentary from Kathryn Johnson, Chair DFL49 and Andy Johnson, Outreach Officer.
The DFL State Central Committee met on Saturday, March 29th, for the annual business meeting. The meeting was in Edina, at the high school, and the auditorium was packed, and the parking lot was nearly full. Attendance was good from all 87 counties in Minnesota, despite the incoming winter storm.
The registration was staffed by volunteers at the auditorium entrance, and they were courteous and as efficient as possible. It was a crowded space, and the signs to encourage people to scan a QR code to register before getting in line were nearly invisible to a short person at the back of the line. Once through the registration process, the coffee and snacks area was my next stop. Lots of folks milling around, catching up on local events and talking with candidates for state party offices.
Once the meeting got underway, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and were treated to short talks by Governor and Mrs. Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and moved on to the election of state party officers. We have a big-tent party, and these speakers encouraged everyone to spend time with their neighbors and local communities, sharing and learning from one another. Building community ties is a major part of who we are.
DFL Party Chair: SD49’s own Jack Lindsey and Richard Carlbom were the two candidates, both representing themselves well. Richard Carlbom won.
First Vice Chair: Incumbent Marge Hoffa (another SD49er) won her seat back, although challenger Veda Kanitz presented a fiery speech and promised to keep working in DFL politics.
Second Vice Chair: Incumbent Shivanthi Sathanandan, won her seat back. Challenger Sharmake Hussein gave a personal story and goals to serve underrepresented people and bring their needs to the attention of government and the greater communities.
Outreach Officer: Quentin Wathum-Ocama is the new Outreach Officer, promising to bring new energy to the position. Charles Wright was the other candidate, who gave a heartfelt, short speech, and withdrew from the race.
DFL Secretary: Incumbent Ceri Everett won her position again. Anita Smithson was the other candidate, and her speech offered ideas and experiences that sparked interest in new ways of doing things (I picked up a bunch of her “cheat-sheets” for DFL parliamentary procedures).
DFL Treasurer: Lindy Sowmick, only candidate for treasurer won by acclamation.
There was a motion from the floor to move a late agenda item forward. The wintery weather was threatening the long drive home for many delegates, so the presentation and vote to authorize a Jewish Community Outreach Organization moved to the next item on the agenda. This passed by voice vote with no dissents. A DFL Caucus group or Community Outreach Organization can apply with the state, and see if they meet the conditions in the DFL Constitution.
The 2025 DFL Business Convention was as busy as they get, with elections for Party Officers as the order of the day. All 87 Minnesota Counties were represented by both delegates and numerous visitors, with plenty of lively discussion all throughout the day. Guest speakers like Governor Walz, AG Keith Ellison, Leut. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and more lit up the hall with calls to action and an eye on the future. Several candidates for office were already on the campaign trail, with about a dozen different tables staffed in the lobby. Plenty of great chow was on hand from the wonderful volunteers helping to make the event a success. Sadly, Charles Wright withdrew his name from consideration as Outreach Officer, surrounded by dozens of loving supporters and friends.
With so many folks filled with years of experience and devoted passion, one is left to wonder just where can we put all these blazing hearts to work? With a new party Chairman and Officers now in place, we’ll find out soon enough!
