Minnesota Nurses Endorse Candidates for Duluth City Council

Flipovich, Kennedy, and Sipress Praised for Supporting Nurse Values

For Immediate Release

(St. Paul) – May 31, 2017 – The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association has approved the endorsements of Joel Sipress for Duluth’s District 2 City Council seat and Zack Flipovich and Janet Kennedy for the two at-large positions.  All candidates were screened by a committee of MNA nurses, which submitted its recommendations to the board.

Sipress won endorsement thanks to his work advocating for workers at the Duluth Whole Foods Co-op.  He has been an longtime organizer in his community.  Nurses recommended Sipress due to his priorities of nurse staffing, a Single Payer healthcare system, and collective bargaining rights.

“Joel is head and shoulders the most experienced candidate,” said Mary Turner, MNA president.  “Nurses were impressed with Joel’s passion for labor rights.”

Flipovich was recognized due to his work fighting for an Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) ordinance in the city of Duluth.  He comes from a family of nurses and has spent much of his advocacy career in community boards and committees.  He cited public safety, growing economic equity, and rebuilding Duluth’s infrastructure as his main priorities.

“MNA supported Zack in his first race for council, and he’s led Duluth toward providing Earned Safe and Sick Time for all workers,” said Turner.

Kennedy is a parish nurse and community healthcare coordinator at St. Mark’s Church.  She was recognized for her work as a physical therapy assistant.   Nurses cited Kennedy’s initiative to work on health equity and her demonstration of values of diversity and inclusion.

“Nurses are proud to support Janet who was involved in the community needs assessment done this past year, which will address obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse and mental health,” Turner said.

MNA nurses decided not to make an endorsement for the Duluth City Council District 4 race.

###