Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | DFL |
| Chairperson | Ken Martin |
| Governor | Tim Walz |
| Lieutenant Governor | Peggy Flanagan |
| Senate President | Bobby Joe Champion |
| Senate Leader | Erin Murphy |
| House Speaker | Melissa Hortman |
| Founded | April 15, 1944 |
| Merger of | Minnesota Democratic PartyandMinnesota Farmer–Labor Party |
| Headquarters | 255 Plato Boulevard East Saint Paul,Minnesota |
| Youth wing | Minnesota Young DFL(MYDFL) |
| Ideology | Modern liberalism Progressivism |
| National affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Colors | Blue |
| State Senate | 34 / 67 |
| State House | 70 / 134 |
| Statewide Executive Offices | 5 / 5 |
| U.S. Senate | 2 / 2 |
| U.S. House of Representatives | 4 / 8 |
| Website | |
| dfl | |
TheMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party(DFL) is a political party in the U.S. state ofMinnesota.[1][2]The party was formed by a merger between theMinnesota Democratic Partyand theMinnesota Farmer–Labor Partyin 1944.[3]The DFL is one of two state Democratic Party affiliates with a different name from that of the national party, the other being theNorth Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party.[1]
It is affiliated with the nationalDemocratic Party.The DFL controls four of Minnesota's eightU.S. Houseseats, both of itsU.S. Senateseats, theMinnesota House of RepresentativesandSenate,and all other statewide offices, including thegovernorship,making it the dominant party in the state. Its main political rival has been theRepublican Party of Minnesota.
History[edit]
During the 1930s, theFarmer-Labor Partyhad gained traction with radical platforms that challenged economic and social inequalities, backed by GovernorFloyd B. Olson.However, by 1938, the party's influence waned due to internal conflicts and accusations of incompetence and corruption, leading to a loss in gubernatorial elections.
On April 15, 1944, the Farmer-Labor Party merged with theDemocratic Party,forming the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).[4]Leading the merger effort were Elmer Kelm, the head of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the foundingchairmanof the DFL;Elmer Benson,effectively the head of the Farmer–Labor Party by virtue of his leadership of its dominant left-wing faction; and rising starHubert H. Humphrey,who chaired the Fusion Committee that accomplished the union and then went on to chair its first state convention.[5]This merger marked a pivotal shift influenced by academic liberals at theUniversity of Minnesotawho advocated for integrating theNew Deal'sprogressive reforms within a more centralized, managerial political framework, transitioning from the movement-oriented politics of the Farmer-Labor party to a structure that emphasized interest-group pluralism.
During the post-war years, the DFL confronted various social issues, includingantisemitism,which reflected broader national conversations about race and ethnicity. The DFL also navigated with its stance oncivil rightsand economic justice, influenced significantly by Minnesota's small but politically activeAfrican Americancommunities. In early 1946, as aFair Employment Practice(FEPC) bill was moving through Congress, there was a surge of civil rights activism in the Twin Cities. The focus onanti-black racismas the paramount racial issue, particularly evident in cultural tolerance programs of the time, often marginalized the experiences of other groups, including Jews. Initiatives like the "Races of Mankind" exhibit at theWalker Art Center,which promoted a simplified racial classification, inadvertently contributed to this narrowing of focus. These programs tended to reinforce a binary view of race relations centered on black and white dynamics, at times overshadowing the nuanced experiences of other racial and ethnic groups.
Yet, internal strife continued. Factional battles were intensified by differing views on how to address the left-wing influence within the party, with significant conflicts between proponents ofHenry A. Wallace's progressive policies and the more moderate wing led by figures likeHubert Humphrey.By the party's second convention in 1946, tensions had re-emerged between members of the two former parties. While the majority of delegates supported left-wing policies, Humphrey managed to install a more conservative, anti-communist ally,Orville Freeman,as party secretary.[6]Some disaffected Farmer–Labor leaders such as Benson moved to theProgressive Party.[3]Freemanwas electedthe state's first DFL governor in 1954. Important members of the party have included Humphrey andWalter Mondale,who each went on to beUnited States senators,vice presidents of the United States,and unsuccessfulDemocraticnominees forpresident;Eugene McCarthy,a U.S. senator who ran for the Democraticpresidential nomination in 1968as ananti-Vietnam Warcandidate; andPaul Wellstone,a U.S. senator from 1991 to 2002 who became an icon ofpopulistprogressivism.[7]The DFL has had varied success beginning in the late 1970s and through the late 2010s, in part due to the growth of single-issue splinter groups after reforms brought by the national party.[5]
After the2022 Minnesota elections,the DFL became the dominant party in the state, retaining every executive office, winning majorities in the stateHouseandSenate,and re-electingall incumbent Congressional Representatives.With their newly electedtrifecta,the DFL pursued a progressive agenda in their first legislative session. Governor Tim Walz described the session as “the most successful legislative session, certainly in many of our lifetimes and maybe in Minnesota history.”[8]The newly elected government passed large expansions in welfare programs and spending. Notable policies passed include the expansion ofabortion rights,new programs to provide reproductive healthcare, protection ofgender affirming care,[9]thelegalization of recreational cannabis,indexing education spending to inflation, investments in public transit, and paid sick leave for Minnesota workers.[9][10]Former PresidentBarack Obamapraised the state government's actions, saying that "Minnesota has made progress on a whole host of issues – from protecting abortion rights and new gun safety measures to expanding access to the ballot and reducing child poverty. These laws will make a real difference in the lives of Minnesotans."[11]
Party organization[edit]
The DFL is governed by a state central committee, which is composed of representatives from each of the state's congressional districts. The state central committee is responsible for setting the party's platform, electing party officers, and conducting other party business. The DFL also has aconstitutionandbylawsthat govern its operations.[2]
Community caucuses[edit]
The party operates several community caucuses that organize and represent different communities within Minnesota that are not geographically defined.[12]These include the:
- African American Caucus, which organizesAfrican Americans.
- Asian Pacific American Caucus, which organizesAsian AmericansandPacific Islander Americans.
- Disability Caucus, which advocates for Minnesotans withdisabilities.
- Environmental Caucus, which advocates forenvironmental protectionandsustainability.
- Feminist Caucus, which advocates forfeministand women's issues.
- Hmong American Caucus, which organizesHmong Americans,the largest Asian American group in Minnesota.
- Latino Caucus (Spanish:Movimiento) which organizesLatino Americans.
- Minnesota Young DFL, which organizes young people.
- Muslim Caucus, which organizesMuslims,who make up between 1–2% of the state.[13]
- Native People's Caucus, which organizes and supportsNative Americansandtribal communities.
- Progressive Caucus, which advocates forprogressive policiesand opposes "corporate money in politics".
- Rural Caucus, which supports the state'srural communities.
- Senior Caucus, which advocates for the interests ofsenior citizens.
- Somali American Caucus, which organizesSomali Americans,who make up over 1% of the state's population.[14][13]
- Stonewall DFL, which organizesLGBTQ+ Minnesotans.
- Veterans Caucus, which organizesveteransand their families.
Voter base[edit]
The DFL's base of support is diverse, and it includes urban and suburban voters,working classvoters,labor unions,environmentalists,and other progressive groups.[15]The party has a strong presence in theTwin Cities metropolitan area.[16]The DFL has lost support in traditional DFL strongholds such as theIron Rangesince 2016.[17]
Current elected officials[edit]
Federal[edit]
U.S. Senate[edit]
- Senior senator:Amy Klobuchar(since 2007)
- Junior senator:Tina Smith(since 2018)
U.S. House of Representatives[edit]
Out of theeight seatsMinnesota is apportioned in theU.S. House of Representatives,four are held by members of the DFL.
- 2nd district:Angie Craig(since 2019)
- 3rd district:Dean Phillips(since 2019)
- 4th district:Betty McCollum(since 2001)
- 5th district:Ilhan Omar(since 2019)
State[edit]
Statewide[edit]
- Governor:Tim Walz(since 2019)
- Lieutenant Governor:Peggy Flanagan(since 2019)
- Secretary of State:Steve Simon(since 2015)
- State Auditor:Julie Blaha(since 2019)
- Attorney General:Keith Ellison(since 2019)
State legislative leaders[edit]
- President of the Senate:Bobby Joe Champion(since 2023)
- Senate Majority Leader:Erin Murphy(since 2023)
- House Speaker:Melissa Hortman(since 2019)
- House Majority Leader:Jamie Long(since 2023)
Municipal[edit]
Mayors[edit]
- Minneapolis:Jacob Frey(since 2018)
- Saint Paul:Melvin Carter(since 2018)
- Duluth:Roger Reinert(since 2024)
Leadership[edit]
- Chair:Ken Martin(since 2011)
- Party Vice Chair: Marge Hoffa (since 2011)
- Second Vice Chair: Shivanthi Sathanandan (since 2021)
- Treasurer: Leah Midgarden (since 2021)
- Secretary: Ceri Everett (since 2021)
- Outreach Officer: Cheniqua Johnson (since 2021)
Historical party chairs[edit]
- Koryne Horbal(1968–1977)
- Claire Rumpel (1978–1979)
- Mike Hatch(1980–1983)
- Mary Monahan (1983–1985)
- Ruth Stanoch (1985–1989)
- Todd Otis(1990–1993)
- Rick Stafford (1993–1995)
- Mark Andrew(1995–1997)
- Richard Senese(1997–1999)
- Mike Erlandson(1999–2005)
- Brian Melendez (2005–2011)
Electoral history[edit]
Federal[edit]
U.S. Senate[edit]
| Year | Candidate | Votes | % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Amy Klobuchar | 1,278,849 | 58.1 | Yes |
| 2008 | Al Franken | 1,212,629 | 42.0 | Yes |
| 2012 | Amy Klobuchar | 1,854,595 | 65.2 | Yes |
| 2014 | Al Franken | 1,053,205 | 53.2 | Yes |
| 2018 | Amy Klobuchar | 1,566,174 | 60.3 | Yes |
| 2018 (sp) | Tina Smith | 1,370,540 | 53.0 | Yes |
| 2020 | Tina Smith | 1,566,522 | 48.7 | Yes |
| 2024 | Amy Klobuchar | TBD | TBD | TBD |
U.S. House[edit]
| Election | Votes | % | Seats (MN) | ± |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,399,624 | 51.4 | 4 / 8
|
 0
|
| 2006 | 1,152,621 | 52.9 | 5 / 8
|
 1
|
| 2008 | 1,612,480 | 57.5 | 5 / 8
|
0
|
| 2010 | 1,002,026 | 47.9 | 4 / 8
|
 1
|
| 2012 | 985,760 | 55.5 | 5 / 8
|
1
|
| 2014 | 985,760 | 50.2 | 5 / 8
|
0
|
| 2016 | 1,434,590 | 50.2 | 5 / 8
|
0
|
| 2018 | 1,420,748 | 55.1 | 5 / 8
|
0
|
| 2020 | 1,554,373 | 48.7 | 4 / 8
|
1
|
| 2022 | 1,250,479 | 50.1 | 4 / 8
|
0
|
| 2024 | TBD | TBD |
State[edit]
Governor[edit]
| Year | Candidate | Votes | % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Skip Humphrey | 587,528 | 28.1 | No |
| 2002 | Roger Moe | 821,268 | 36.5 | No |
| 2006 | Mike Hatch | 1,007,460 | 45.7 | No |
| 2010 | Mark Dayton | 919,232 | 43.6 | Yes |
| 2014 | Mark Dayton | 989,113 | 50.1 | Yes |
| 2018 | Tim Walz | 1,393,096 | 53.8 | Yes |
| 2022 | Tim Walz | 1,312,349 | 52.3 | Yes |
Minnesota Senate[edit]
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | ± | Majority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 1,024,624 | 51.9 | 49 / 67
|
Yes | |
| 1980 | 1,024,624 | 49.3 | 46 / 67
|
3
|
Yes |
| 1982 | 951,287 | 51.8 | 42 / 67
|
4
|
Yes |
| 1986 | 765,584 | 52.6 | 47 / 67
|
5
|
Yes |
| 1990 | 990,513 | 53.7 | 46 / 67
|
1
|
Yes |
| 1992 | 1,247,594 | 53.0 | 45 / 67
|
1
|
Yes |
| 1996 | 1,129,095 | 51.1 | 42 / 67
|
3
|
Yes |
| 2000 | 1,219,497 | 49.6 | 39 / 67
|
3
|
Yes |
| 2002 | 1,080,975 | 49.7 | 35 / 67
|
4
|
Yes |
| 2006 | 1,183,319 | 55.3 | 44 / 67
|
6
|
Yes |
| 2010 | 1,005,132 | 48.9 | 30 / 67
|
16
|
No |
| 2012 | 1,532,065 | 55.8 | 39 / 67
|
9
|
Yes |
| 2016 | 1,409,775 | 50.1 | 33 / 67
|
6
|
No |
| 2020 | 1,577,523 | 49.8 | 33 / 67
|
0
|
No |
| 2022 | 1,239,682 | 50.7 | 34 / 67
|
1
|
Yes |
Minnesota House[edit]
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | ± | Majority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,034,046 | 47.8 | 52 / 134
|
11
|
No |
| 2004 | 1,381,412 | 51.2 | 66 / 134
|
13
|
No |
| 2006 | 1,169,298 | 54.9 | 85 / 134
|
19
|
Yes |
| 2008 | 1,516,633 | 54.9 | 87 / 134
|
2
|
Yes |
| 2010 | 995,853 | 48.5 | 62 / 134
|
25
|
No |
| 2012 | 1,468,364 | 53.7 | 73 / 134
|
11
|
Yes |
| 2014 | 944,961 | 49.3 | 62 / 134
|
11
|
No |
| 2016 | 1,366,375 | 49.1 | 57 / 134
|
4
|
No |
| 2018 | 1,388,938 | 54.4 | 75 / 134
|
18
|
Yes |
| 2020 | 1,601,357 | 51.1 | 70 / 134
|
5
|
Yes |
| 2022 | 1,237,520 | 50.9 | 70 / 134
|
0
|
Yes |
| 2024 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party".Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.RetrievedMay 6,2024.
- ^ab"DFL Minnesota Home – MN Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party".DFL Minnesota.RetrievedNovember 10,2021.
- ^abNathanson, Iric (February 26, 2016)."The caucus that changed history: 1948's battle for control of the DFL".Minnesota Post.
- ^"Democrats, F-L, Complete Fusion".The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota).April 15, 1944. p. Saturday Page 1.
- ^ab“DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY.” n.d. Minnesota Historical Society. Accessed May 26, 2023.http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00586.xml.
- ^Mitau, G. Theodore (1955)."The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Schism of 1948".Minnesota History.34(5): 187–194.ISSN0026-5497.
- ^Loughlin, Sean (October 25, 2002)."Wellstone Made Mark as a Liberal Champion".CNN.RetrievedJune 23,2014.
- ^"'Transformational' and also 'bonkers:' Minnesota Legislature ends big session ".MinnPost.May 23, 2023.RetrievedMay 26,2023.
- ^ab""It's a good day for freedoms": Walz signs bills on reproductive freedom and trans refuge, ban on conversion therapy ".www.cbsnews.com.April 27, 2023.RetrievedMay 26,2023.
- ^"Weed, abortion, paid leave, rebates and taxes: A look at what MN lawmakers got done this year".Duluth News Tribune.May 26, 2023.RetrievedMay 26,2023.
- ^Turtinen, Melissa (May 26, 2023)."Barack Obama tweeted about Minnesota as reason you should vote".FOX 9.RetrievedMay 26,2023.
- ^"Community Caucuses and Outreach Organizations".DFL Minnesota.RetrievedMay 6,2024.
- ^abMasadde, Mohmud (June 21, 2016)."Large Muslim Community in Minnesota Observes Ramadan".Voice of America.RetrievedMay 6,2024.
- ^"What Is The History Behind Minnesota's Somali-American Community?".CBS Minnesota.July 23, 2019.RetrievedMay 6,2024.
- ^Orrick, Dave (November 7, 2018)."This map shows the DFL dominated the suburbs. How'd they do it?".Twin Cities.RetrievedMay 6,2024.
- ^Orenstein, Walker (June 16, 2023)."The DFL's legislative majority is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro. In a consequential session, what did that mean for Greater Minnesota?".MinnPost.RetrievedMay 6,2024.
- ^Orenstein, Walker (October 11, 2022)."Will the Iron Range finally go red? Control of Legislature could hinge on 7 seats in northeastern Minnesota".MinnPost.RetrievedMay 6,2024.
Further reading[edit]
- Delton, Jennifer A.Making Minnesota Liberal: Civil Rights and the Transformation of the Democratic Party.Minneapolis:University of Minnesota Press,2002.
- Haynes, John Earl."Farm Coops and the Election of Hubert Humphrey to the Senate".Agricultural History57, no. 2 (Fall 1983).
- Haynes, John Earl.Dubious Alliance: The Making of Minnesota's DFL Party.Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1984.
- Henrickson, Gary P.Minnesota in the "McCarthy" Period: 1946–1954.Ph.D. diss.University of Minnesota,1981.
- Lebedoff, David.The 21st Ballot: A Political Party Struggle in Minnesota.Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1969.
- Lebedoff, David.Ward Number Six.New York: Scribner, 1972. Discusses the entry of radicals into the DFL party in 1968.
- Mitau, G. Theodore (Spring 1955)."The Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Schism of 1948"(PDF).Minnesota History.34(5): 187–194.JSTOR20175887.
External links[edit]
| Recognized major parties | |
|---|---|
| Recognized minor parties | |
| Other minor parties | |
| Historical parties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
