Excited Senate District 41 DFL Party convention delegates unanimously endorsed Afton City Councilmember and retired St. Paul police officer Lucia Wroblewski and Hastings City Councilmember and Spiral Brewery co-owner Jen Fox at their convention on March 16 at Oltman Middle School in Cottage Grove. Wroblewski and Fox were endorsed in their runs for the Minnesota House of Representatives to represent 41A and 41B, respectively. House district 41A includes northern Cottage Grove precincts 1 and 2, Afton, Lake Elmo, Grant
precinct 1, Lakeland, Lakeland Shores, Lake St. Croix Beach, St. Mary's Point, Baytown Township, Denmark Township precinct 2 and West Lakeland Township. House District 41B includes Hastings, Cottage Grove precincts 3, 4, 5, 7, Nininger Township and Denmark Township precinct 1. The two House seats are open without incumbents following the decisions of Representatives Mark Wiens and Shane Hudella to not seek reelection after their first terms.
"Our local governments are facing big issues in clean water and infrastructure needs that we cannot face alone. It is time for district 41 to have strong representation for those local issues. Our neighbors deserve that," said Fox. Wroblewski, in her remarks, noted that the DFL was "the party of true patriots. We are the party that stands up for and believes in democracy. We are the party that stands up for the rule of law. We are the party that believes that no one is above the law and that our fundamental constitutional rights apply to everyone. We are the party of facts, logic and science, a party that believes in love and acceptance, not hatred and division."
"Our local DFL activists are enthusiastically unified behind these amazing community leaders," noted Senate District 41 Chair Eileen Weber. "Local voters have already chosen Jen Fox and Lucia Wroblewski as city councilmembers to advance their interests in promoting the excellent quality of life our river cities and towns are known for. They know their communities' needs and have already shown themselves to be smart stewards of tax dollars and public resources. Lucia and Jen know how to put extreme partisanship aside to thoughtfully listen to all sides and get necessary work done for constituents," Weber added.
Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey welcomed over 100 delegates, alternates and guests to the city. State Sen. Judy Seeberger, Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham, Afton Mayor Bill Palmquist, and former House candidate Nash Boone spoke of their strong support for Wroblewski's and Fox's experience, character and qualifications. Boone spoke of how when he first met Fox, he hoped to earn her support in his own run for the 41B House seat.
"I came out of that meeting 100 percent in support of her candidacy and committed to doing everything I could to help her win," he said. Weber added, "That's an example of how unified and engaged our local party is this year."
Visits by Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Minnesota House Majority Leader Jamie Long, Secretary of State Simon, Rep. Ethan Cha and Rep. Kaohly Vang Her underscored the importance they see in these House races.
Delegates elected local activists to fill all officer and director positions and the most precinct leaders in its history. Weber said, "We are ready to get to work and win these seats to continue the historic progress DFLers have made in reducing child hunger and poverty, protecting our right to make important decisions about our health, assuring people won't lose their homes because of unforeseen health problems, reducing the price of prescription drugs, and protecting our water from forever chemicals."
