“We sub-caucused in Tower, and Leah Phifer got all four delegates!” This was the exclamation by new DFL delegate Steve Wilson.
According to his wife, Mary Shedd, 14 DFLers caucused for four delegate positions to the organizing convention in Ely in March. Out of the five sub-caucuses called, Phifer was named in three of them. Support was strong enough that only the Otto/Phifer and the Murphy/Phifer sub-caucuses remained at the end.
In a small precinct gathering between Ely and Babbitt, Nancy Powers had been worried she would have to confront Trump voters going to her first caucus in this area of St. Louis County. Instead she was elated that all 13 people who showed up were progressive liberals, there to support Leah Phifer.
They took an informal straw poll and it proved majority support for Phifer. “The whole night was such a pleasant surprise, very uplifting, and we had a great time,” she said on Wednesday. “We also passed a resolution for the DFL to be more attentive and responsive to our rural districts. That’s one of the reasons we support Leah, everyone in the room had met her at least once, and I’ve met her three times now. She will pay attention to the entire district.”
Bryan Hansel of Grand Marais claimed on Twitter, “Cook County DFL beat attendance expectations! In our precinct, all the delegates were for @ PhiferforCongress.”
Phifer spent the evening in Duluth, greeting DFLers gathering at Ordean and Lincoln Park middle schools, as well as Duluth East and Central high schools. “The energy in the room was electric,” said Phifer. “People are energized, they know caucusing is the best way to effect change from the grassroots up. We need that more than ever today.”
Campaign intern Kyla Rippey heard similar comments in Isanti County. She made a point to stop at the caucuses in Nessel, Braham and Stanchfield Township. “We had a Phifer supporter in every precinct in all three townships, and I can’t say that of Nolan’s support.”
She added there were a lot of new faces and firsttime caucus-goers, in addition to long-time attendees. “People were happy and excited to be part of this new enthusiasm for participation from both young and old, and they believe it was because of Leah that most people came out— and brought friends.”
Leave a Reply