Blue America Welcomes Tarryl Clark

Tarryl and her family-- Doug, Colin and Nate

Hard to say who the worst member of Congress is. But there are few short lists that would exclude narrow-minded and extremist Minnesota religious fanatic Michele Bachmann. However, today isn't about Bachmann. You want Bachmann, you go to DumpBachmann; no one does it better. At the time of the 2008 election, Bachmann was just as odious as she is today. Blue America didn't get involved in that race though because her opponent simply seemed... "better than Bachmann." That standard is too low for us. And today we're going to meet state Senator Tarryl Clark (Crooks and Liars, 11am PT, 1pm in Minnesota), a hard working leader with a proven track record who would be a great candidate whether she were running against Michele Bachmann or just some garden variety Republican.

People say this suburban/exurban district mostly north of the Twin Cities is too red for a Democrat. But that isn't true. Bush won it in 2004 with 57% and 4 years later McCain took 53% but, the district has also voted to elect Amy Klobuchar to the Senate-- and against Mark Kennedy, the kook who represented the district before Bachmann. And in the 15th senatorial district near St Cloud, the part Tarryl represents-- and which was a GOP bastion before she came along-- the vote totals in that 2006 race were very interesting. Because she knows what it means to work hard and work smart, and  with a very committed Wellstone-style of campaigning, Tarryl outpolled everyone on the ballot:

Clark       15581   (56.30%)
Klobuchar   14980   (53.45%)
Pawlenty    14307   (51.1%)
Wetterling  13082   (46.81%)
Bachmann    12542   (44.88%)

MN-06 has the most devastating unemployment rate in Minnesota and the worst foreclosure crisis in the state. But Bachmann has neither understood nor been sympathetic to her constituents finding themselves in a jam because of the vicissitudes of an economy buffeted by disastrous conservative ideological experimentation. She has not only not contributed to finding solutions to these very real problems, she has tried to capitalize of politicizing them. Tarryl's reaction, as a state legislator, has been the exact opposite. Instead of running around the country and ranting and raving at tea parties, she proven herself an effective leader for the people she represents, working to secure the funds to upgrade the facilities at Saint Cloud State University, working to ensure Central Minnesota’s nursing homes are paid fairly, working to establish a special law enforcement unit to fight gang activities in Central Minnesota. Tarryl’s been a champion for issues including early childhood and higher education, health care, serving veterans, protecting Minnesotans from predatory lenders, and investing in the local communities that make America strong. Because of that her colleagues elected her to serve as the Senate’s Assistant Majority Leader. Bachmann's colleagues have recognized her as a clown and have tasked her with going on Fox to stir up divisiveness and animosities.

Tarryl’s record of results on reducing unemployment:

     •     Created 22,000 jobs with last session’s bonding bill

     •     Helped small businesses add new jobs with Angel Investor Tax Credits

     •     Authored the Central Minnesota Bioscience Initiative to bring jobs in the biotech industry into the 6th district

     •     Authored economic development bill that improved workforce development (job training) and expanded  the Small Business Growth Acceleration Program, and entrepreneur and small business development grants.
 
Tarryl’s record of results on reducing foreclosure:

     •     Authored legislation to protect seniors from predatory lenders and reverse mortgages

     •     Helped families in keep their homes with the MN Subprime Borrowers Relief Act

     •     Authored legislation to reduce the burden of property taxes on middle class families

Tarryl is the newest member of the Blue America family. If you can volunteer for her campaign there's a sign up form here and if you can help the campaign financially, she's on the Blue America endorsed candidates list.