The 2024 election season feels like a roller coaster ride — and it’s still August. Just a month ago, former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. A little over a week later, President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and gave his support to Vice President Kamala Harris. On August 6, Kamala Harris asked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to become her running mate.
What does all this mean for voters in Minnesota?
If Harris wins in November, Minnesota’s current lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, would become the first Native person and the first woman to lead the state. Also, Bobby Joe Champion, the current leader of the State Senate, would become Minnesota’s first Black lieutenant governor. But that’s not all that could change at the Legislature. In November, all 134 Minnesota House seats will be on the ballot.
As we cover this election season, we’re hearing from voters across the political spectrum. Some have told us they’re feeling a “a new level of hope” with the possibility of electing the first female and first Asian American president. But voters are still seeking to learn more about Harris’ views and policy agenda.
Others, including some Somali voters, have told Sahan Journal that they’ve been drawn to Republican messages around economic opportunity and social values, though some worry about former president Donald Trump’s stance on immigration and other topics.
There will be plenty of horse-race coverage in the media this election cycle. For this Sahan Community Live event, we wanted to concentrate not on WHO people are voting for, but rather WHAT people are voting for — that is, how their vote this year reflects their values.
On August 15 at 6 p.m., Sahan reporters Joey Peters and Katelyn Vue will moderate a community conversation exploring what’s at stake for Minnesotans in November.
Together, we will,
- Discuss the current political landscape
- Learn more about what’s motivating communities of color to cast their votes
Here are the panelists:
- Abou Amara, a political analyst and an attorney at Gustafson Gluek PLLC
- AK Kamara, Minnesota’s RNC Committeeman
- Azrin Awal, an at-large City Councilor in Duluth
- Michael Minta, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Michelle Witte, the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota
At the event, audience members will have the opportunity to ask our panelists questions via our SMS text-line.
We hope you’ll join us at this free, live community conversation at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, at the Wellstone Center, located at 179 Robie St. E., in St. Paul. You can park for free at the Wellstone Center’s attached parking ramp.
Can’t make it in person? You can watch the livestream on Sahan Journal’s YouTube page.
This event is free and open to the public. All community members are encouraged to attend. Registration for the in-person event is strongly encouraged. Learn more and register here.
Thanks to our media partners Minnesota Public Radio and Saint Paul Neighborhood Network for helping us bring this conversation to a larger audience.
