John,

Senator Paul Wellstone’s legacy in Minnesota runs deep. So many people running for office these days still point to Paul and Sheila Wellstone as their motivation for seeking higher office.

That’s because Paul and Sheila believed that “we all do better, when we all do better.” Their leadership in Minnesota and nationally was part of the reason I wanted to run for office and to serve my community.

Part of what made the Wellstone campaign so unique was the way it transformed grassroots organizing. Neighbors talking to neighbors and leading with compassion and empathy. That way of connecting with people was carried on in what was called Camp Wellstone, a popular nationally respected training program that taught young organizers and candidates the ins and outs of running for office.

But now, a conservative author of a new book claims that organization, and the people who graduated from it (me included) are Marxists. A recent article in a conservative news outlet referred to me explicitly as an alum of the program - supposedly founded by “radicals” spreading “American Maoism” in an attempt “to get Marxist policies implemented.”

Calling grassroots organizing and organizers Marxists is delusional. And quite frankly, weird.

Even though this is a silly example of the type of disinformation we’re up against, it’s critical that we correct the record wherever we can. Our last quarterly deadline is September 30th and we need $10,000 this week to keep our budget on track. Will you chip in $5 or more now?

Thanks,

Steve