News of note in Minnesota

Center events, initiatives, and policy work.

Protecting women’s sports

Championship swimmer and Independent Women’s Voice advisor Riley Gaines spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Metropolitan Ballroom on July 6. She spoke about standing up to the extremist trans-mob and becoming the country’s leading spokeswoman and defender for women’s and girls’ athletics.

Summer tour

American Experiment policy fellows traveled across the state for the Center’s “Off the Cliff” tour, explaining the consequences of Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session. Policy fellows and speakers answered questions about how the legislature passed policies impacting the economy, public safety, energy, education, and more.

Farmfest and the State Fair

American Experiment was a presence across the state this summer with booths at both Farmfest and the State Fair. Held on August 1 – 3 in Redwood County, Minn. Farmfest afforded the Center an opportunity to connect with rural Minnesota and discuss issues having an impact outside the Twin Cities. American Experiment’s Greater Minnesota outreach director Micah Olson states, “There is a palpable frustration in Great- er Minnesota over the last legislative session. People are fed up with being overlooked by politicians in St. Paul, and as a result, American Experiment has seen exponential growth in our efforts from this frustration.”

American Experiment returned to the Minnesota State Fair with a booth at the KS95 tent outside the Grandstand. On Saturday, August 26, the Center’s policy fellows and staff were present to talk with Minnesotans from across the state about the latest initiatives, research reports, and upcoming events.

In addition to handing out copies of the latest Thinking Minnesota and policy briefs, the steady stream of booth visitors were able to spin a prize wheel for Center merchandise and register for a $250 gift card to offset the state’s increased car licensing fees.

Greater Minnesota-Duluth

American Experiment held an evening reception featuring Center president John Hinderaker at the home of Duluth chapter chair Becky Hall. Over 70 conservatives showed up dedicated to amplifying our message in the Greater Duluth area. Also in Duluth was an event at Clyde Iron Works in July as part of the “Off the Cliff” summer tour, with over 100 people in attendance. Hall states, “Our chapter efforts here in the Duluth area have been a smashing success. People are excited about the conservative movement and are looking for ways to pitch in and put Minnesota on the path to prosperity.”

Upcoming events

Following its August 10 Summer Party at Punch Bowl Social in St. Louis Park, the Young Leaders Council is holding a “Cocktails & Connections” evening event on October 24 at Interlachen Country Club in Edina with the Minnesota Private Business Council. Young professionals will have the opportunity to network with some of Minnesota’s top executives and business leaders.

Economist John Phelan will be speaking at the Clyde Iron Works in Duluth on November 9. Phelan will be discussing the economic consequences of the DFL’s trifecta agenda in the state’s government and how to return the state to a more prosperous track.

Policy fellow Catrin Wigfall will be in Fergus Falls on November 14 unpacking the troublesome trends plaguing Minnesota’s K-12 education system and outlining a way forward. Wigfall will touch on academic performance, new education mandates, and how educators, parents, and community members can get involved to restore excellence.
More information on Center events, speaking opportunities, reports, and podcasts can be found on our website at AmericanExperiment.org

New hires

Jill Sandager has joined American Experiment as the new event coordinator. Sandager graduated with a degree in biology/pre-medicine from Trinity International University but spent much of her early career performing musical theater and opera in various theaters throughout the Twin Cities. She also has a diverse employment background ranging from sales, marketing, and entrepreneurialism to clothing design and cake decorating. On beginning her new position, Sandager says, “I’ve grown tired of sitting back and watching the progressive left take over and ruin our state, so I’m finding fulfillment in contributing to American Experiment’s mission.”

Also new is Nick Majerus, who is the Center’s first digital media specialist. Majerus is a political communications professional who specializes in digital media and strategic communication. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Minnesota and has previously worked at the Minnesota Senate, the Minnesota House of Representatives, and the Republican Party of Minnesota. Says Majerus, “I’m excited to begin working at American Experiment, where I’ll have the opportunity to help make Minnesota a freer, more prosperous, and better-governed state.”

Correction:

An error in the Thinking Minnesota Summer 2022 and 2023 issues (“UMLC Update”) cited the wrong number of absentee ballots cast in Minnesota’s 2010 statewide election. The Secretary of State’s canvassing report shows it was 126,732, not 23,237 as previously reported.