Press Release: Nurses endorse Tim Walz for Governor and Peggy Flanagan for Lt. Governor

(St. Paul) –   September 5, 2018 –  The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association has voted to endorse Congressman Tim Walz in his bid to be Minnesota’s next Governor and Representative Peggy Flanagan as the next Lieutenant Governor.  Nurses based their decision on screening sessions before and after the primary that demonstrated Walz and Flanagan’s dedication to expanding access to healthcare for all Minnesotans and the protection of union rights for all workers.

“Nurses are proud to call Tim Walz a union brother,” said Mary C. Turner, president of the Minnesota Nurses Association.  “He understands that all workers deserve the freedom to form unions and that labor contracts lift up the lives and livelihoods of all Minnesotans.”

While in Congress, Walz has worked across the aisle to pass legislation and formed coalitions to build power on important issues.  Walz promised nurses he will work to build coalitions to improve healthcare and patient care across the state.

“We stand with Tim Walz when he says healthcare is a human need,” Turner said.  “He understands that access to care is a real issue, especially in Greater Minnesota, and he favors improving nurse staffing levels to ensure every Minnesotan gets the care they need.”

MNA has been a long-time supporter of Representative Peggy Flanagan, and nurses are proud to endorse her to be Lieutenant Governor.  Her leadership co-chairing the “Raise the Wage” campaign helped to successfully increase Minnesota’s minimum wage for the first time in nearly a decade. Peggy and other members of the POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) caucus, which she helped form, received MNA’s distinguished “Elected Official” award in 2017 for their work around improving education, health, and economic opportunities for people of color and indigenous communities across the state.

“Nurses are proud to endorse a progressive champion like Peggy Flanagan,” Turner said.  “She has championed a livable wage, paid family leave, and earned safe and sick time.  She’s dedicated to protecting working class families across Minnesota, and we look forward to working with Peggy and Tim to make a better Minnesota for all of us.”