After the CD4 endorsements concluded yesterday, the Ramsey County endorsements took place. Most, although not all, of Ramsey County is in CD4.
The winners of the Ramsey County endorsements were John Choi for Ramsey County Attorney and Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff. Kudos to those who didn't win for a job well done.
I attended the CD4 Convention today at Roseville Area High School. Immediately afterward was the Ramsey County Convention. A high percentage of delegates were a part of both groups, as most of CD4 is in Ramsey County.
As usual, I arrived very early. I got there at 7:30. I mingled with Thissen and Rybak staffers until more people showed up. J. P. Barone was there getting everything in order and giving orders, as a CD chair must do. He's very good at it, though, so that's okay. He always adds humor, too, which I thoroughly enjoy.
Soon more people arrived. I was glad to see my new Pinto staff friends, a few blogger friends and Matt Bostrom and his supporters. I had a couple of hours to mingle before the convention began. It was great to see Tom Rukavina and Orrie Salper, as it always is. They are always so cheerful. The same with R. T. Rybak. Always positive, motivated and incredibly energized. No deep dark depression from that quarter.
Speaking of which, guess who the cat dragged in? That's right. You guessed it. It was none other than Mark Dayton himself. Yes, folks, he actually had the nerve to drop by the CD4 Convention. I heard many people asking each other what he was doing there, since he refuses to participate in the endorsement process. No one seemed to know his reason for coming except that he wanted to steal votes from legitimate candidates. Most of the delegates are mad at him about it. Far be it from me to blame them.
Speaking of Dayton, all he had to do was walk right up to me and say, "Hi! How are you?" Maybe offer a nice hug, and all would have been forgiven. Mark Dayton is apparently deficient in the diplomacy department. Instead of offering up the olive branch, he took one look at me and cut and ran again.
As you may recall, Mark Dayton gave himself an F for his senate years because he felt he was ineffective. I thought he was being too hard on himself at the time. I now defer to his better judgement.
Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno Endorses Dave Pinto for Ramsey County Attorney
Dave Pinto has received the endorsement of former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. Pinto is a domestic violence prosecutor seeking DFL endorsement for Ramsey County Attorney in 2010. Former Attorney General Reno's full statement is below:
Dear DFL Activist:
I write to urge you to support Dave Pinto in his campaign for Ramsey County Attorney. I have known Dave for nearly ten years. I have been consistently impressed with his intellect, dedication to the profession of law, and commitment to public service.
Before serving as U.S. Attorney General, I served for twenty years as State Attorney for Miami-Dade County in Florida. In Florida, the State Attorney is the equivalent of the County Attorney in Minnesota. I know that it's a job where you have to make difficult decisions that balance public safety and individual rights. Hands-on experience, both in and out of the courtroom, is critical in building the judgment and credibility needed to make those hard decisions.
I believe Dave is uniquely qualified to serve your community as County Attorney. He has experience in government service, private practice, and the federal courts, as well as his hands-on experience as a prosecutor. He has consistently used his legal skills to serve the public. During his time in private practice he achieved an historic court ruling protecting the rights of GLBT high school students. He has fought to protect the voting rights of those in traditionally disenfranchised communities. As a domestic violence prosecutor in the County Attorney's office, he is in court every day working to protect families and break the cycle of violence.
Dave has a rare mix of management skills and experience in multiple areas of the law. He has the expertise, talent and temperament to be an extraordinary County Attorney. I am proud to support his candidacy.
Sincerely,
Janet Reno
Former U.S. Attorney General (1993-2001)
A Ramsey County native, Pinto is the only candidate with experience in any county attorney's office and the only candidate in court every day fighting crime. Visit his campaign website to learn more about his qualifications and the many community leaders and organizations supporting his candidacy.
Dave Pinto, a domestic violence prosecutor in the Ramsey County Attorney's Office seeking DFL endorsement for Ramsey County Attorney in 2010, recently published "Bring openness and transparency to the office." This is the eighth in a series of blog posts on his eight-point plan for leading the office. Previous posts on each element of his plan have included:
A Ramsey County native, Pinto is the only candidate with any experience in any county attorney's office and the only candidate in court every day fighting crime. Visit his campaign website to learn more about his qualifications and the many community leaders and organizations supporting his candidacy, including St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights, the St. Paul chapter of the DFL Progressive Caucus, and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.
The full text is embedded in extended text below...
Dave Pinto is running for Ramsey County Attorney. I'm having a Meet and Greet for him on Sunday March 28 at 2:00 p.m. It will be at Lakewood Hills Apartments in the community room. The address is 3185 Karth Road, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Karth Road is on the northwest corner of McKnight Road and Interstate 694. Go to the bottom of the Karth Road hill. It's a big brown apartment complex. Go in the main door. The party room is straight ahead. Refreshments will be served.
An RSVP would be nice but not mandatory. You can let me know you're coming by calling 651-777-3464 or emailing me at tigerhawksoars@yahoo.com
Today I attended the SD64 Convention at Central High School in St. Paul. There was a very good turnout and the energy level was high. I had a good time and found myself grinning at all my candidate friends.
Let's get the awards out of the way first.
Best tie: J. P. Barone
Most applause: R. T. Rybak
Most Improved Presentation: Matt Entenza
Most Entertaining: Tom Rukavina
Most Elusive: Mark Dayton (he was nowhere to be found)
Most Campaign T-shirts: Paul Thissen and R. T. Rybak (all these t-shirts were running around like characters in a Disney movie)
Dave Pinto, a domestic violence prosecutor seeking DFL endorsement for Ramsey County Attorney in 2010, recently posted a campaign video in which he discusses his background and his plans to continue fighting for the vulnerable in leading the office. The video is embedded below:
A Ramsey County native, Pinto is the only candidate with experience in the County Attorney's Office and the only candidate in the courtroom every day fighting for our community's most vulnerable. Visit his campaign website to learn more about his qualifications and the many community leaders and organizations supporting his candidacy, including St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights, the St. Paul chapter of the DFL Progressive Caucus, and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.
A Ramsey County native, Pinto is the only candidate with experience in the County Attorney's Office and the only candidate in the courtroom every day fighting for our community's most vulnerable. Visit his campaign website to learn more about his qualifications and the many community leaders and organizations supporting his candidacy, including St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights, the St. Paul chapter of the DFL Progressive Caucus, and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.
The full text of the post is embedded in extended text below...
Dave Pinto, a domestic violence prosecutor seeking DFL endorsement for Ramsey County Attorney in 2010, recently published "Foster community collaboration to reduce and prevent crime," the sixth in a series of blog posts on his eight-point plan for leading the office. The series will continue throughout the month of January, leading up to precinct caucuses on Tuesday, February 2.
A Ramsey County native, Pinto is the only candidate with experience in the County Attorney's Office and the only candidate in the courtroom every day fighting for our community's most vulnerable. Visit his campaign website to learn more about his qualifications and the many community leaders and organizations supporting his candidacy, including St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights, the St. Paul chapter of the DFL Progressive Caucus, and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.
Dave Pinto, a domestic violence prosecutor seeking DFL endorsement for Ramsey County Attorney in 2010, recently published "Strive for a criminal justice system that provides equal justice for all," the fifth in a series of blog posts on his eight-point plan for leading the office. The series will continue throughout the month of January, leading up to precinct caucuses on Tuesday, February 2.
A Ramsey County native, Pinto is the only candidate with experience in the County Attorney's Office and the only candidate in the courtroom every day fighting for our community's most vulnerable. Visit his campaign website to learn more about his qualifications and the many community leaders and organizations supporting his candidacy, including St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights, the St. Paul chapter of the DFL Progressive Caucus, and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.
Dave Pinto, a domestic violence prosecutor seeking DFL endorsement for Ramsey County Attorney in 2010, recently published "Protect civil liberties while maintaining public safety," the fourth in a series of blog posts on his eight-point plan for leading the office. The series will continue throughout the month of January, leading up to precinct caucuses on Tuesday, February 2.
A Ramsey County native, Pinto is the only candidate with experience in the County Attorney's Office and the only candidate in the courtroom every day fighting for our community's most vulnerable. Visit his campaign website to learn more about his qualifications and the many community leaders and organizations supporting his candidacy, including St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights, the St. Paul chapter of the DFL Progressive Caucus, and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.
Dave Pinto, candidate for Ramsey County Attorney, today unveiled a comprehensive plan for leading the Ramsey County Attorney's Office. His strategic priorities focus on leveraging innovation and collaboration to reduce and prevent crime, protecting civil liberties, ensuring equal justice, and promoting openness and transparency to make Ramsey County more livable and safer for all.
"This plan lays out the values and priorities that will guide my work as Ramsey County Attorney," said Pinto. "The plan has been shaped by the many conversations I've had with Ramsey County citizens about the community's needs, as well as by my wide-ranging experience in criminal, civil and public interest law and public policy."
Starting on November 19, Pinto will post weekly to his campaign's blog on each of the eight principles outlined in his leadership plan.
Today a tantalizing job showed up on a job search. Someone is looking for a campaign manager for an independent candidate for Ramsey County city attorney. Do note that some of the quoted facts here are wrong.
Looking for experienced campaign manager/lead to direct Ramsey County Attorney race for the second largest county in Minnesota. There were about 200,000 voters in 2008 from approximately 100,000 households.
Seat is open, as 16-year incumbent is running for Governor. The incumbent is a democrat who never earned DFL endorsement but instead ran against DFL-endorsed candidates in all 4 of her races. The candidate is the only elected official; only woman; and only one from the suburbs running. She is also a former prosecutor. She was elected in 2005 and 2008.
The candidate is NOT seeking endorsement in this legally designated non-partisan race, viewing the county attorney position to be more akin to a judgeship, which is nonpartisan and non-endorsed in Minnesota, than to a policy-making position like state legislator. Party affiliation will not show on the ballot. The candidate has a strong history as a democrat, but has always run non-partisan in the past.
Dave Pinto, a domestic violence prosecutor in the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, announced today that Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer has endorsed his candidacy for Ramsey County Attorney.
"I choose to endorse Dave Pinto because of the work he is doing to protect children from domestic violence and abuse," said Nelson-Pallmeyer. "Dave is also working hard to ensure the civil rights of all the citizens of Ramsey County by promoting diversity within the county attorney's office."
In addition, Nelson-Pallmeyer emphasized the value of Pinto's experience as an active prosecutor in the Ramsey County Attorney's Office: "I admire the work Dave is already doing for Ramsey County, and I am sure he will do an excellent job leading the Ramsey County Attorney's Office," he added.
Nelson-Pallmeyer sought the DFL endorsement for the U.S. Senate in 2008 and for Congress from the Fifth Congressional District in 2006. He is an assistant professor of justice and peace studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
"I have great respect for Jack because of his thoughtful and courageous leadership on so many important issues," said Pinto of the endorsement. "I am honored that he has endorsed my candidacy for Ramsey County Attorney."
Pinto also was recently endorsed by St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights and the St. Paul chapter of the DFL Progressive Caucus. A list of the many other community leaders endorsing his candidacy is available on his website, at http://www.davepinto.com/endor... .
A Ramsey County native, Pinto is a dedicated prosecutor, a proven leader and a committed public servant, in the courtroom every day fighting for children and our community's most vulnerable. He is seeking the DFL endorsement for 2010.
Dave Pinto received an endorsement from St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights for the Ramsey County attorney's race to be decided next November. St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights formed in response to civil rights violations that happened at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in St Paul last year. The group hopes to prevent future civil rights abuse and hold elected officials accountable for all types of civil rights in St. Paul and Ramsey County.
All four candidates interviewed for endorsement: John Choi, Dave Pinto, Tammy Pust and David Schultz. Tammy Pust withdrew after interviewing. Surprizingly, all three candidates were perceived positively by the Civil Rights group. Dave Pinto was impressive because of his eloquent defense of civil rights and his actual willingness to pledge and to form citizen advisory groups. John Choi has actually implemented effective programs that improve economic injustice. He has also led in restorative justice. David Schultz was recognized for his strong courtroom experience in civil rights cases. While Dave Pinto has the prized endorsement, both John Choi and David Shultz received "acceptable" ratings. The acceptable ratings indicate a strong positive group support for Choi or Schultz, if they win the DFL endorsement.
Of all four candidates, only John Choi was the only candidate active in Republican National Convention, the other candidates were not involved and did not speak out. In the discussions of endorsement, it was clear that the members of the St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights, thought that John Choi had not released people from consideration of charges fast enough, especially journalists. Eventually over 80% cases were released over 6 months.
Do note that all of the high profile felony cases are being processed at a different office, by the Ramsey County attorney Susan Gaertner. Susan Gaertner has chosen to run for governor instead of re-election as Ramsey county attorney.
Dave Pinto stood out for his recognition of the injustice of too many people charged on too little evidence at the 2008 Republican National Convention. Pinto believes we could have learned from previous National Special Security Events in other cities so as to proactively set up processes which better-protected civil rights.
Dave Pinto received an endorsement from St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights for the Ramsey County attorney's race to be decided next November. St. Paul Democrats for Civil Rights formed in response to civil rights violations that happened at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in St Paul last year. The group hopes to prevent future civil rights abuse and hold elected officials accountable for all types of civil rights in St. Paul and Ramsey County.
