Seat Our Senator Campaign to Pawlenty: “The Iowa Caucuses Can Wait, Minnesota Needs You Now”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Donald McFarland, 651.308.8098
DATE: June 2, 2009
Seat Our Senator Campaign Reacts to Pawlenty Decision Not to Seek Reelection as Governor: "The Iowa Caucuses Can Wait, Minnesota Needs You Now"
Pawlenty Urged to Put the People of Minnesota First by Doing His Legal Duty and Certifying the U.S. Senate Election Results Should Al Franken Be Declared the Winner by the Minnesota Supreme Court
St. Paul, MN - The Seat Our Senator campaign released the following statement in response to Governor Tim Pawlenty's reported decision "not seek a third term in 2010, clearing the way for an expected bid for the 2012 presidential nomination, according to sources close to the governor."
Donald McFarland, Minnesota State Director, Americans United for Change: "Tim Pawlenty's national political ambitions have become clear with his reported decision not to seek reelection -- but he is still the governor of Minnesota. Gov. Pawlenty, the Iowa caucuses can wait - the people of Minnesota need you now. During these extraordinarily difficult economic times, we cannot afford to be without full representation in the Senate a day longer. We implore the Governor to sign the election certificate should the Minnesota Supreme Court rule in Al Franken's favor. Refusing to do so would be an act of political cowardice that will unfairly punish the people of Minnesota."
The Seat Our Senator campaign is an ongoing effort by Alliance for a Better Minnesota, MN AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 5, Working America, SEIU MN State Council, Americans United for Change and others urging Pawlenty to do his legal duty and certify the U.S. Senate election results should Al Franken be declared the winner by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Last week, the Seat Our Senator campaign delivered a basket of Iowa corn to Gov. Pawlenty with the same message: "The Iowa Caucuses Can Wait, Minnesota Needs You Now." Additionally, the Alliance for a Better Minnesota is up with a new radio ad, airing on the Governor's radio show, asking Tim Pawlenty to put Minnesotans above his national political ambitions, and seat Al Franken if the State Supreme Court should confirm the election results.
These latest efforts by the Seat Our Senator campaign follows a recent television ad from Americans United for Change called ‘The Choice' which aired in the Twin Cities and Rochester media markets and a billboard purchased on the SE corner of 94 and Snelling Ave. in St. Paul that both ask Governor Pawlenty if he will act in the best interests of the people of Minnesota that urgently need full representation in the U.S. Senate - or his own national political ambitions.
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