DFLers in rural Minnesota often find themselves in politically challenging environments where Republican influence is strong—even within their families and social circles. This can make political engagement feel isolating, but it also underscores the need for a community-focused, grassroots approach to organizing. When people see DFLers actively engaged in their communities—building relationships, working on local issues, and showing up outside of election cycles—they are more likely to listen, engage, and ultimately support our movement.

While I have ideas for strengthening our presence in rural Minnesota, as someone who lives in the Twin Cities, the most effective approach must come from the people doing the work on the ground. We need to create a flexible framework that can adjust based on the wants and needs of our DFL colleagues in rural Minnesota. This means listening, collaborating, and ensuring that our organizing strategies reflect the realities of rural communities—not just assumptions made from afar.

1. Strengthening Local DFL Networks and Community Presence

For too long, rural DFLers have felt like they’re organizing in isolation, disconnected from the broader party. If we want to break through and rebuild trust in rural Minnesota, we have to be more than a political party—we have to be an active presence in the community. That means showing up, building relationships, and creating spaces where people feel included, heard, and supported.

People trust their neighbors, coworkers, and community members more than they trust politicians or campaign messaging. To reach people, we need to demonstrate our values through action—not just words. That’s why we will:

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• Encourage local discussion groups where rural DFLers can share experiences, navigate tough political conversations, and build community together.

• Establish grassroots organizing teams, where small groups of rural DFLers work together to expand our reach—not just by talking about elections but by showing up for their communities in meaningful ways.

• Partner with trusted local institutions—churches, farm groups, co-ops, and nonprofits—to create spaces where political discussions can happen naturally in settings people already trust.
   

But building community isn’t just about conversations—it’s about action. If we want people to see the DFL as something that reflects their values, we need to be visible, engaged, and present in everyday life—not just during election cycles. That means:
 

• Hosting and participating in community events—from town halls and listening sessions to local festivals, volunteer projects, and issue-based gatherings.

• Organizing service-oriented initiatives that show what we stand for, like food drives, mutual aid efforts, and advocacy campaigns on issues that matter to rural voters.

• Creating spaces where people feel comfortable engaging with the party so that political discussions aren’t just about elections but about building a stronger community together.

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Breaking through in rural Minnesota isn’t just about changing our messaging—it’s about changing how we organize. If we want to win here, we must adopt a true community-organizing model focusing on relationship-building, long-term presence, and grassroots-driven leadership. When people see that the DFL is active in their community, working alongside them on the issues they care about, they stop seeing us as just a political party—and start seeing us as their people.

This is how we rebuild—not just by asking for votes but by earning trust, creating real relationships, and making sure that rural DFLers feel like they are part of something bigger.

2. Expanding Outreach Through Conversation, Media, and Digital Organizing

One of the biggest challenges DFLers in rural Minnesota face is not just having political conversations but breaking through the conservative media bubble and ensuring our voices are heard. Too often, rural voters hear about the DFL only through attack ads or right-wing media spin. We need to proactively shape the narrative, amplify local rural DFL voices, and provide tools that help our organizers connect with their communities in ways that actually resonate.
To make this happen, we will:

• Host practical messaging workshops (both in-person and online) to help rural DFLers communicate in a way that connects with their neighbors.

• Offer regular organizing office hours, where rural activists and local leaders can get hands-on support for voter outreach, event planning, and mobilizing their personal networks.

• Create messaging toolkits that provide clear guidance on having one-on-one, values-based conversations. These toolkits could help rural DFLers turn everyday interactions into opportunities to shift perspectives and grow support. These toolkits could be developed in partnership with the DFL Rural Caucus and other rural leaders to ensure they reflect the experiences and realities of organizing in rural Minnesota.

• Increase visibility in local media by encouraging rural DFLers to write letters to the editor, publish op-eds, and speak on local radio and community forums.

• Produce rural-focused digital content that highlights the impact of DFL policies on everyday life in rural Minnesota.
   

Instead of letting conservative media dominate the conversation, we’ll ensure rural communities hear directly from DFLers they trust. And instead of only focusing on elections, we’ll ensure that DFL messaging is a consistent, year-round presence in rural Minnesota through conversations, community engagement, and local media.

3. Investing in Long-Term Organizing, Leadership Development, and Rural Messaging

One of the biggest challenges we face in rural Minnesota is that DFL outreach too often disappears in non-election years. If we want to win and build lasting power, we need to be present and engaged all the time—not just when we need votes. That means investing in leadership, infrastructure, and messaging that speaks directly to rural communities.

To make this happen, we will:

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• Support local candidates in nonpartisan races—such as school boards, city councils, and county commissions—where we can build grassroots influence and develop future DFL leaders. These offices are often where trust in our movement starts, and they create a pipeline for candidates who can later run for state and federal office.

• Engage younger voters and future leaders by working with high schools, community colleges, and trade schools to encourage long-term civic involvement. We can’t afford to invest only in young voters in urban and suburban areas—we need to actively support rural youth engagement.

• Ensure that rural organizing receives real investment from the state party—including financial resources, dedicated staff, and rural-specific training programs. Organizing in rural Minnesota requires different strategies than in the metro, and we need to ensure that local rural DFLers are getting the support that fits their communities.

• Develop and promote a consistent rural messaging strategy within the state party. Too often, DFL messaging defaults to a metro-centered perspective. We must ensure that rural issues are clearly defined, widely understood, and consistently uplifted in everything we do—from SCC meetings to the State Convention to discussing policies in press releases and campaign literature.​

  • For example, rural healthcare is in crisis, and we need to make sure our messaging reflects that reality. Many rural communities struggle to retain healthcare workers, from doctors and nurses to paramedics and EMS personnel. Hospitals and clinics are understaffed, ambulance services are stretched thin, and the distance between healthcare facilities puts lives at risk. DFL messaging should highlight the need for policies that invest in rural healthcare staffing, ensure fair wages for providers, and expand funding for emergency medical services—because no one in Minnesota should be left without access to lifesaving care simply because of where they live.

• Ensure rural priorities are woven into major DFL gatherings, including SCC meetings and the State Convention. This means making space for rural voices in key discussions, ensuring rural concerns are part of the party’s broader strategy, and actively incorporating rural-focused programming at statewide events.

 

By integrating rural messaging and organizing into every aspect of the DFL’s work, we can ensure that rural Minnesota is part of our strategy and our party’s identity.