Endorsement Questionnaires

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Omar Fateh

Office

MN Senate District 62 (Info and map on BallotPedia)

Campaign website

https://omarfateh.org

Who are you?

I am a candidate for MN Senate in district 62

Are you a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)? 

Yes

Do you identify as a socialist? What does socialism mean to you?

I identify as a democratic socialist. To me democratic socialism means bringing power under democratic control, including both economic and political power. I see that neoliberal policy-making for the past half century has led to a society in which individual plutocrats have more power than millions of Americans. I see this as morally objectionable and completely unsustainable. As a democratic socialist, I don’t believe individuals should have outsize power–we must chart our course as a collective. My campaign motto is Rise Together because I believe that collectively the working class, historically marginalized groups, and progressives will chart a better course for Minnesota than the wealthy or political elite.

Moreover, there are certain issues, such as climate change, that put capitalism on a collision course with society as we know it. It’s simple. There is an entire industry–the fossil fuel industry–which must be abolished within a matter of years if we are to survive as a species and maintain a high quality of life. There is no capitalist process by which this transition will take place in time. Dealing with climate change effectively will require a massive socialist intervention i.e. a Green New Deal.

Are you running publicly as a socialist? How would you publicize DSA’s endorsement?

Yes I have been running publicly as a democratic socialist. Economic inequality in Minnesota is only getting worse every year. At this time, neither political party is committed to dismantling plutocracy or reigning in income/wealth inequality. However,  I am not the only democratic socialist in the Democratic party. I believe most Democrats and most Minnesotans are in alignment with democratic socialist values–especially in district 62. That is why I will win my primary challenge to an incumbent who has described himself as a “pragmatic progressive.” Running openly as a democratic socialist has helped me build a loyal base of grassroots support among folks who might otherwise not recognize the contrast between myself and my opponent or have understood the importance of a primary challenge at this time. I will absolutely publicize the DSA endorsement in a way that is most strategic to winning the DFL endorsement and any potential primary. More important to me than the label is the partnership we will form and the power we will build together.

What do you know about DSA in general and the Twin Cities DSA (TCDSA) in particular?

After 2016 the DSA became a popular organizing group for supporters of Bernie Sanders campaign for Democratic Socialist politics, and that DSA has been influential in the 2020 Sanders campaign. I respect the work that TCDSA has done to work with indigenous groups in Greater Minnesota to stop Line 3, because it builds solidarity with those whose land and culture have continually been stolen by our state, and because it is a vital move to ending climate change. I feel that in these ways my campaign directly aligns with TCDSA. I support ending the use of fossil fuels by 2030 and am against the construction of Line 3 for many reasons. I am also making a conscious effort to reach out to the indigenous community at Little Earth and include them in the political process, something which my opponent has neglected to do over the past decade.

Are your values aligned with those of the DSA and TCDSA? Do any of your values conflict with those of the DSA and TCDSA?

I would say that my values are aligned with those of both the DSA and the TCDSA. I cannot think of any of my values which contradict those of either the DSA or the TCDSA.

Do TCDSA values conflict with the interests of other campaign stakeholders? If there is a conflict now or in the future, how would you manage that?

A substantial portion of the support for my candidacy comes from the East African community. My volunteer base is by majority comprised of young adults–Somali and non-Somali–who I believe overwhelmingly share values with me and with the DSA and TCDSA. Assisting with the development of leadership, civic, and political skills of young progressives and socialists inside and outside of the Somali community is important to me as a young (almost 30) socialist. 

There are some supporters of mine, many of whom are from the older generation, who probably don’t identify as socialists. Their reasons for supporting me vary. Some are family. Some want to see more young African-American men elected. Some want a seat at the table for their community. All of these are acceptable to me. Anybody who is supporting me knows where I stand ideologically. I have set the expectation that I intend to govern as a democratic socialist and I would never compromise my values to please a contributor or a friend.

Please list actions taken (examples: direct actions, community organizations, workplace organizing, lobbying for specific causes…) that align or conflict with the values of TCDSA.

I think the TCDSA would approve of my past political actions. For example I worked on the city-wide campaign for $15 an hour as well as the Vote Yes for Kids campaign, and I have spoken out on behalf of fossil fuel divestment. I’ve marched on international workers’ day for worker dignity and drivers’ licenses for all and I protested and marched against the Trump administration and their heinous policies like family separation and the Muslim ban. I am confident I have not taken actions that conflict with the values of the TCDSA.

If elected, how do you see the TCDSA providing input on your political decision making? How would you make yourself accountable to a TCDSA endorsement?

I do not believe it is right for politicians to refuse to meet with constituents or shut stakeholders out. I promise an open door policy not just for DSA members but to everybody. By not only endorsing me, but building power with me, the TCDSA will increase its own power. Your seat at the table will not depend on my good nature or my loyalty. 

I believe that community outreach needs to be more of a priority for any elected official. Our current state senator is not doing enough to communicate with Indigenous, East African, Latinx, and other majority-renter communities in our district. Most of my agenda cannot be accomplished through closed-door deals, it will require a ton of movement building and issue-based work and I know that TCDSA is a vital partner in doing that type of work. I believe the types of issues we are discussing have the potential to activate more community members and bring people into groups like the DSA.

Have you held political office? If so, please list all offices held, terms served, and actions that align or conflict with the values of TCDSA.

I have never held public office. I was on the Hennepin county 2040 commission.

If elected, what will be your top 3 priorities? What committees would you hope to join?

I saw firsthand the success of issue-based organizing with respect to the $15 minimum wage in Minneapolis. I believe we can build on that success and push for $15 statewide. My opponent talks about his role in indexing the minimum wage to inflation–a minimum wage indexed to inflation means no real wage increase over time for workers. I will fight to have our $15 minimum wage indexed to the rising cost of living and that is my first priority. 

My second priority is zero-fare public transit. This issue moves the ball forward from environmentalism to environmental justice. One person, one car is not a sustainable vision for the future, even including electric vehicles. These vehicles will price out too many workers to be an equitable transportation solution. Zero-fare public transit advances environmental justice in a twofold way. For one, it maximizes the incentive for folks to live a car free lifestyle and use public transportation instead. Second, it guarantees a transportation option to the poorest Minnesotans and creates a baseline right to the freedom of movement, which is important to me as a democratic socialist, and important to allow our residents to access opportunities elsewhere in the state. 

The third priority of my tenure is to pass a renters’ bill of rights which will improve the power dynamic between renters and landlords. I believe that landlords inherently have a lot of power because they own the shelter we need. We need to unrig the system against renters, who make up a large part of district 62. You can read my renters’ bill of rights at omarfateh.org/housing . As part of my housing platform, I want to repeal the statewide preemption on rent control and preserve and expand income-based public housing. 

My top committee choices are:

  • Higher Education Policy and Finance
  • Transportation Finance and Policy
  • Health and Human 

Would you take any campaign contributions from corporations? Would you take campaign contributions from real estate developers, lobbyists, or landlords? Are there specific groups or sectors from whom you would refuse all contributions?

Most of my contributions are $100 or less and come from progressives and Somalis interested in seeing me elected, not in currying favor with me. I have never been offered money by a developer, lobbyist, or landlord and I do not predict that I will receive those offers based on my platform. I do not believe in pay for play and will refuse all lobbyist contributions. I would also never accept money from a large corporation, commercial landlord, or real estate developer (such as Doran, etc.) I am willing to accept contributions from super-small scale landlords who might rent out a room or an office. A lot of my backers own daycares and adult daycares. Like most immigrant communities, the East African community is more entrepreneurial than the population as a whole.

Yolanda Roth

Office

Hennepin County Commissioner District 1 (fBrooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, New Hope, Osseo and Robbinsdale)

Campaign website

https://yolandaroth.com/

Who are you?

I am Yolanda Roth. I use she/her pronouns and am a candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner in District 1. I am a union organizer, a community leader and an ethical lobbyist.

Are you a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)? 

Yes

Do you identify as a socialist? What does socialism mean to you?

I define socialism as an economic system that is focused on communal empowerment through economic prosperity. I absolutely identify with this definition. We live in a world with an abundance of wealth. I firmly believe that every person should be able to share in that abundance and have access to what they need to live comfortably. We can shape a better future where no one is left behind.

Are you running publicly as a socialist? How would you publicize DSA’s endorsement?

Because of the district I am running in, I feel that the best way to build solidarity and a collective movement for change, it is best to speak about ideology and values. These values include worker empowerment, a commitment to co-governance, safe and affordable housing as a human right and people and planet before profit.

I would proudly promote the DSA’s endorsement through social media, campaign literature and my website.

What do you know about DSA in general and the Twin Cities DSA (TCDSA) in particular?

I’ve been a part of the TCDSA for three years and during that time I have seen the organization grow and accomplish a lot. TCDSA is a vital organization that continues to shape local politics and build a broad coalition for change.

Are your values aligned with those of the DSA and TCDSA? Do any of your values conflict with those of the DSA and TCDSA?

Yes, my values strongly align with the DSA and in some cases, have been shaped by conversations I’ve had within TCDSA or with experts who are also members. For instance, my platform on affordable housing comes largely from conversations I’ve had through the DSA Housing Branch.

Do TCDSA values conflict with the interests of other campaign stakeholders? If there is a conflict now or in the future, how would you manage that?

No, the values of my base are closely aligned with those of TCDSA. 

If there is a conflict in the future, I will follow the principles of co-governance. This means listening to all voices and building consensus around a solution

Please list actions taken (examples: direct actions, community organizations, workplace organizing, lobbying for specific causes…) that align or conflict with the values of TCDSA.

Over the past 11 years, I’ve worked on many actions that align with TCDSA. These include:

  • A direct action that I helped to organize at Enbridge’s Minneapolis office
  • A direct action against the Hennepin County Commissioners regarding criminal justice reform
  • Facilitate conversations between the formerly incarcerated, cohort partner organizations, family of the currently incarcerated and the Department of Corrections.
  • Working with Sheriff Hutch to create a sanctuary county and to stop all cooperation with ICE as a member of the DCC
  • As a union leader I have organized in solidarity with janitors, nurses, teachers, airport workers, bank workers and many others
  • I am an ethical lobbyist for environmental justice, criminal justice reform and workers rights

If elected, how do you see the TCDSA providing input on your political decision making? How would you make yourself accountable to a TCDSA endorsement?

I am running to bring activists to the table at the Hennepin County Board. As a TCDSA member, several of my friends and advisors are fellow members. This keeps me grounded in the values I share with the DSA.

Co-governance is fundamental to my campaign and accountability is one of its guiding principles. I intend to stay true to those principles.

Have you held political office? If so, please list all offices held, terms served, and actions that align or conflict with the values of TCDSA.

No I have not

If elected, what will be your top 3 priorities? What committees would you hope to join?

Affordable Housing. I believe that dignified housing is a human right, and that right is becoming increasingly out of reach for many in our district. I am committed to significantly expanding affordable housing investment in the county budget with a specific focus on housing that is affordable to people earning 30% AMI and below. I also intend to use my position to push for stronger renter protections and housing investment at the state level. 

Criminal Justice Reform. We need to reform our broken criminal justice system. I have been actively working with groups like IWOC and DCMN to enact reforms including eliminating the use of cash bail and intensive supervisory release, capping probation lengths and ending all county cooperation with ICE.

Sustainable and Accessible Transportation. Surface transportation is the state’s top emissions sector of greenhouse gases. Transportation is a major component of the county’s budget and I am committed to prioritizing sustainable modes like walking, biking and transit in future infrastructure projects. Additionally, access to sidewalks and mass transit are critical for ensuring that everyone is free to move about their community, regardless of ability or income.

Would you take any campaign contributions from corporations? Would you take campaign contributions from real estate developers, lobbyists, or landlords? Are there specific groups or sectors from whom you would refuse all contributions?

No, I will not accept corporate contributions or other special interest groups.