Barack Obama-Organization, Minnesota
revised March 12, 2008

OBAMA FOR AMERICA
Headquarters: Wright Building, 2233 University Ave W, Suite 225, St. Paul, MN 55114  651.645.2008  >>...grand opening Nov. 10, 2007
State Director Chris Miller
(announced Oct. 3, 2007)  Miller previously served as the campaign's Midwest field director.  National field director for 21st Century Democrats.  Worked on Al Gore's 2000 Iowa caucus campaign.
 

Political Director Mike Blake
Deputy political director, including director of faith outreach, on Obama's Iowa caucus campaign (announced March 2007).  Prior to joining the campaign, he served as director of external affairs for the Michigan House of Representatives and earlier as the West Michigan campaign organizer for the Michigan House Democratic Caucus.


Field Director Chelsea Kammerer
South East regional field director on Obama's Iowa caucus camapign.  Deputy field director for the MN DFL Coordinated Campaign in 2006.  Fundraiser for Sen. Dianne Feinstein in Spring 2006.  Assistant to the finance director at the DCCC, 2005.  Field organizer in Anchorage on Tony Knowles' 2004 race for U.S. Senate in Alaska.  Graduated from Georgetown University in 2004.

Caucus Director Jennifer Koch
Attended Michigan State University.
 
 
Youth Vote Director James Hannaway
Served as the campaign's youth vote director in Chicago.  Chair of the Minnesota College Democrats.  Worked on the 2006 Minnesota DFL Youth Coordinated Campaign.  Student at Carleton College.
 
 
Technology Director Jared Nordlund
Associate in the Office of Mayor R.T. Rybak and owner of Commercium.  Graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 2001.
 
 
Communications Director
Nick Kimball
Director of new media on Obama's Iowa caucus campaign.  Worked at the Minnesota DFL for nearly two years, serving as acting communications director and earlier, during the 2006 cycle, as deputy communications director. Legislative aide to Minnesota Senate Majority Leader in 2005.  Field organizer on Tom Daschle’s 2004 campaign after working field for Kerry during the primaries. Worked in communications office of national juvenile justice non-profit from 2001-04.  Graduate of The George Washington University.  Native of Minnesota.
 

Field Offices:
Minneapolis:  212 N 3rd Street, Suite 340, Minneapolis MN  55401

Southeast:  2002 2nd Street SW, Suite 5, Rochester, MN  55902

Southwest:  505 Riverfront Avenue, Mankato, MN  56001

Northeast:  128 W 1st Street, Duluth, MN  55802

Central:  904 W St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN  56301

North Central:  15 Washington Street, Brainerd, MN  56401
 

Field Organizers include: Jessica Anderson, Michael Burns, Brooke Harper, Vickie Pearce, Lori Schneiderhan, Mattea Smith, Alexandra Sova, John Sylvester.
 
 
Senior Advisor Tina Smith
(announced Oct. 3, 2007)  Chief of staff to Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak since Feb. 2006.  Vice president for public affairs at Planned Parenthood Minnesota-South Dakota-North Dakota.  Campaign manager on Walter Mondale's unsuccessful late Oct.-Nov. 2002 U.S. Senate race.  Worked for Metropolitan Council Chairman Ted Mondale.  Campaign manager on former state Sen. Ted Mondale's 1998 race for the DFL gubernatorial nomination.
 

Also note: Steve Hildebrand, who is directing early states for the campaign in Chicago, served as executive director of the Minnesota DFL from mid-August 1995 to mid-March 1996.  Another Minnesota connection is Paul Tewes, Iowa state director, a Minnesota native and 1993 graduate of Carleton College.
 
 

Endorsed by
Chairman - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak  (possibly the first big-city mayor to endorse Obama; attended Jan. 13, 2007 rally to encourage Obama to run)

Co-Chairs
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5)  (reported by the Star Tribune on Feb. 20, 2007)

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4)  (reported by Minnesota Public Radio on Dec. 12, 2007)

Duluth Mayor Don Ness   (Jan. 15, 2008)
 

more endorsements
Former Congressman Richard Nolan (Jan. 7, 2008; formerly backed Dodd)

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (MN-8)  (Feb. 1, 2008; formerly backed Edwards)

Iron Range Leadership Committtee  (Feb. 2, 2008)
Congressman Jim Oberstar, Chisholm
Rep. Tony Sertich, House Majority Leader, Chisholm
Rep. Tom Anzelc, Balsam Township
Paul Cerkvenik, Virginia
Kathleen Murray, Virginia
Aaron Brown, Balsam Township
Nevada Littlewolf, Virginia
John Grahek, Virginia

Writer and humorist Garrison Keillor  (Feb. 3, 2008)

Women Leaders (Feb. 3, 2008)
Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto
State Senator Ellen Anderson
State Senator Mee Moua
State Senator Patricia Torres Ray
State Representative Maria Ruud
State Representative Sandy Wollschlager
St. Paul Public School Teacher Kim Ellison
Minneapolis City Council Member Elizabeth Glidden
Minneapolis City Council Member Betsy Hodges
St. Paul City Council Member Toni Carter
Falcon Heights Council Member Beth Mercer-Taylor
 
 

Post-Feb. 5
U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (MN-1)  (Feb. 6, 2008) >
DFL Chairman Brian Melendez and Associate Chair Donna Cassutt  (Feb. 29, 2008) >
 
 
 

-"Caucus Convention" on Oct. 6, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Central High School in St. Paul.

-Official campaign kick-off at International Market Square in Minneapolis on June 29, 2007 (Obama's first visit to Minneapolis since he announced his candidacy in February).
 

Also of note:
Obama Minnesota Grassroots Movement
810 North Lilac Drive, Suite 119, Golden Valley, MN
(not affiliated with Obama for America)

 
Copyright © 2007, 2008  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action