Jeff Hayden, a state representative, won the DFL primary over five opponents inSenate District 61. Hayden pulled in 61 percent of the vote in the Minneapolis district. He'll face Republican Bruce Lundeen, Independence Party member Matt Brillhart and Green Party member Farheen Hakeem in the general election. The seat was vacated when DFL Sen. Linda Berglin announced she was retiring to take a job with Hennepin County.

Below is a picture and links to the websites of individuals who participated in Councilman Schiff's special Breakfast with Gary.

From top left (clockwise) are Senate District 61 candidates Elsa Batica, Matt Brillhart, Farheen Hakeem, Representative Jeff Hayden, Kyle Wilson, Paulette Will,  Sadik Warfa, Bruce Lundeen, and Kristian Heuer.

All voters receive the same ballot and privately vote within the political party of their choice. The top candidate in each major political party will be on the general election ballot, along with minor party candidates and independent candidates.

• Jeff Hayden DFL
• Sadik Warfa DFL
• Kristian Heuer DFL
• Elsa Batica DFL
• Paulette Will DFL
• Kyle Wilson DFL
• Bruce A. Lundeen Republican
• Farheen Hakeem Green
• Matt Brillhart Independence

The TC Daily Planet offers this background on the DFL candidates:

In Senate District 61, Rep. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, a two-term House member, received the local DFL endorsement against a crowded field that includes Elsa Batica, a former deputy director of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department and nonprofit facilitator, graphic designer Kristian Heuer, tax auditor Sadik Warfa, web developer Kyle Wilson and longtime DFL Party staffer Paulette Will.

The general election will also include Green Party candidate Farheen Hakeem and Independence Party candidate Matt Brillhart.

Hayden is the establishment favorite to replace Berglin, having received her endorsement as well as those of numerous unions and GLBT organizations, along with that of Rep. Karen Clark, a DFLer who represents the neighboring district.

Hayden takes a more liberal position on health care reform than Berglin, and was chief author of a bill that would institute single-payer health care statewide.

“Health care is a priority for me as it is for Sen. Berglin, and I believe our goals are the same, health care coverage for all Minnesotans,” he said.

Batica said she’s worried about losing a strong, female voice in the Senate and believes she can bring more results than Hayden, despite not receiving the local party endorsement.

“My career as a facilitator and my ability to bring parties together to reach compromise is what I believe sets me apart,” she said. “I value and believe in the politics of inclusion.”

Will said she has a proven track record of advocacy and organizing that will serve the district well, if elected. Representing the district is her primary concern, she said.

“SD 61 will be one of the communities to first feel the impact of the new cuts in the federal budget,” she said. “(It) will be a barometer for what will be happening all across the state and country next year.”

Warfa’s campaign website lists fiscal conservativism, school choice and universal health coverage as top campaign issues.

Wilson’s campaign website lists cycling advocacy, single-payer health care and taxing the richest Minnesotans at the top of his issues list.

Heuer is a first-time candidate who is also a newcomer to political activism. He said he got into the race to “end the partisan bickering” in the Legislature.

Click here to download:

Dist 61 Pre Primary Forum.pdf (38 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

Dist 61 Pre Primary Forum.pdf (38 KB)

Dear Community Organizers and Directors: 

     August 23, 2011

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Senate District 61 candidates meet at Breakfast with Gary From top left (clockwise) are Senate District 61 candidates Elsa Batica, Matt Brillhart, Farheen Hakeem, Representative Jeff Hayden, Kyle Wilson, Paulette Will,  Sadik Warfa, Bruce Lundeen, and Kristian Heuer.   After the retirement of Senator Linda Berglin who served in the Minnesota Legislature for nearly 40 years, leaving a legacy of health care reform, candidates are lining up for a special election in Senate District 61. The primary election is scheduled to take place on September 13, with the general election on October 18.   Join City Council Member Gary Schiff and candidates running for the Senate District 61 seat this Friday at Breakfast with Gary. This forum is an opportunity for voters to get their questions answered. Candidates who have filed for this race and have been invited to the breakfast include Elsa Batica, Matt Brillhart, Farheen Hakeem, Representative Jeff Hayden, Kristian Heuer, Bruce Lundeen, Sadik Warfa, Paulette Will, and Kyle Wilson.   Whomever is elected for this seat will represent the neighborhoods of: Bryant, Central, East Phillips, Field, Kingfield, Lyndale, Midtown Phillips, Phillips West, Powderhorn Park, Regina, Stevens Square, Ventura Village, and Whittier. Breakfast attendees will have the opportunity to get their questions answered by the candidates.     Breakfast with Gary is a monthly meeting held from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. the final Friday of the month at the Mercado Central, 1515 East Lake Street. $5 buys breakfast.

Stonewall DFL Endorses Jeff Hayden in SD61 Special Election

On Sunday, 14Aug2011, Stonewall DFL, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally caucus of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, unanimously endorsed Representative Jeff Hayden in the Senate District 61 Special Election. “Jeff Hayden does more than just speak to the cause of equality; he has been in the trenches fighting for equality both personally and professionally,” said Stonewall DFL Chair David DeGrio. “As an ally in the Minnesota House, Jeff Hayden has worked tirelessly to defeat discriminatory legislation and to enact laws ensuring basic legal fairness for all citizens of Minnesota.  Outside of the legislative halls, Jeff continues to play an integral role in bringing together a diverse set of community leaders from various marginalized communities to defeat the 2012 Marriage Discrimination Amendment.”

Cathy Harrison, Associate Chair of Stonewall DFL, said “members of the LGBT community, along with our friends and allies, can be assured that a Stonewall DFL endorsed candidate is the best candidate to advocate for our community at all levels of elected leadership.”

Stonewall DFL, with more than 4,000 members state-wide, is a political organization that works for a safe and equitable Minnesota by working to elect LGBT and allied Democrats to office in Minnesota and within the DFL. Stonewall offers advice to candidates and campaigns about LGBT outreach and offers endorsements for local, state and federal DFL candidates.  For this particular election, Stonewall DFL screened and rated five candidates.

A –rated candidates
Outstanding – good on all or most of our issues and takes a leadership position on our issues
Jeff Hayden (endorsed)
Elsa Batica
Paulette Will

B – rated candidates
Supporting – good on most of our issues; has shown some leadership or potential to show leadership on our issues
Kristian Heuer

C – rated candidates
Fair – mixed record or response on our issues.
Sadik Warfa