FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org
Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – April 22, 2022 – Nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association today announced their first four endorsements of the 2022 election cycle for candidates in open races for the Minnesota Legislature. MNA endorsements follow screening interviews and recommendations of member nurses based on candidates’ pledged support for MNA priority issues. All endorsed candidates have affirmed their commitment to support the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act; oppose the Outsourcing Care Compact; and defend workers’ collective bargaining rights and oppose so-called “right-to-work” laws.
The candidates endorsed by MNA nurses today for their commitment to these priority issues are María Isa Pérez-Hedges (House District 65B); Alice Mann (Senate District 50); Erin Maye Quade (Senate District 56); and Zaynab Mohamed (Senate District 63).
Pérez-Hedges impressed nurses when she “spoke about worker power through a lens of social justice and equity;” nurses also appreciated that she “supports MNA members in their contract fight through a willingness to join nurses on picket lines, and wants to partner with MNA on our issues, if elected.”
MNA nurses appreciated Dr. Mann’s understanding of the issues affecting healthcare workers, particularly the chronic understaffing of hospitals by CEOs and other healthcare executives. Dr. Mann’s “passion on the issues we care about” was highlighted by one nurse.
Maye Quade has a demonstrated history of standing with nurses and made clear her commitment to bring nurses into the political process. Nurses believe “she will be there with us again” to support MNA priorities like the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act, if elected.
Mohamed made clear her strong support for the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act and her desire to “be a champion” for nurses if elected. Nurses also appreciated Mohamed’s focus on healthcare access and affordability for patients, a value shared by MNA nurses.
In working to support MNA-endorsed candidates, nurses will encourage fellow members and the voting public to support those who will uphold their commitment to put healthcare workers and patients before the profit-seeking of healthcare executives. Nurse efforts to elect endorsed candidates through phone- and text-banking, door-knocking, digital advertisements and more will focus on candidate support for MNA priorities like the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act and other pledged positions.
MNA endorsement recommendations are based on candidate questionnaires and interviews conducted by nurse members with candidates; these recommendations are then approved by the MNA Board of Directors, an elected body of nurse members. Nurses continue to interview candidates, and additional endorsements in state races will be announced on a rolling basis in the coming months. Additional information on the MNA endorsement process and on endorsed candidates can be found at nursescarenursesvote.com.
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