What is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party? What to know about Tim Walz party
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, an outspoken Midwestern statesman and veteran, was thrust into the spotlight Tuesday morning when Kamala Harris announced him as her VP pick and running mate.
With six terms in the U.S. House under his belt prior to his 2018 election and 2021 re-election as governor, the former public school teacher is no stranger to Democratic politics, having won his first congressional race in 2006 when, in an upset, he beat out incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht running on the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party ticket.
Walz is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, which is affiliated with but somewhat unique from the national Democratic Party. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is currently the dominant party in the state, with members holding not only the governorship but most major state and federal rep positions.
But what exactly is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party if not simply the Democratic Party most Americans are familiar with? We've got the basics covered.
Live updates: Tim Walz is Kamala Harris' VP pick: Minnesota governor named running mate
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) is a political party exclusive to Minnesota that was formed in 1944 when the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party merged. It is one of only two state Democratic Party affiliates that does not use the national party name, the other being the North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party.
The DFL is the dominant party of Minnesota, controlling half of Minnesota's U.S. House seats, both of its U.S. Senate seats, the state House and Senate and the governorship under Walz.
The party champions progressive politics, including "stable employment with fair wages," "proper education," "accessible and affordable healthcare," "safe communities" and the rights of Minnesotans to "raise and provide for a family" and "retire with dignity and security," according to the DFL website.
The DFL has a state central committee comprised of representatives from each congressional district. This committee is responsible for overseeing officer elections, setting its platform, enforcing the party constitution and bylaws and other business matters. The DFL also operates caucuses that represent different communities within the state, such as the African American Caucus, Disability Caucus, Senior Caucus, Veterans Caucus, Stonewall DFL and more.
The DFL was officially created on April 15, 1944, when the state Democratic Party merged with the Farmer-Labor Party. Member Hubert H. Humphrey is considered the de facto founder of DFL thanks to his role in making the merger happen, according to the DFL website.
The story begins roughly 20 years before that, however, when reps from the Nonpartisan League entered candidates for state election under the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party in the 1920s. True to its name, the party's platform at the times focused on protections for farmers and unions, changes to agrarian policy, social security legislation, and public ownership of railroads, utilities, and natural resources, according to DFL.
DFL picked up popularity, beating out major party candidates in State and Congressional elections. Between 1921 and 1941, three governors, four U.S. senators, and eight U.S. representatives were elected under the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party.
After the 1944 merger, Orville Freeman was elected the first DFL governor in 1954 and has since been followed by a plethora of U.S. House and Senate placements. Vice presidents Hubert H. Humphrey (Lyndon B. Johnson) and Walter Mondale (Jimmy Carter) were also noted as members of the DFL party.
The DFL generally aligns with the primary platform of the national Democratic Party, though it often wins over single-issue voters by splintering from the dem majority on certain topics.
With such a long history and strong presence in Minnesota, DFL has been tied to several, generally progressive movements and legislation. With affiliates holding the majority of political positions in the state and Walz serving as governor, DFL has been credited with passing a slew of legislation in short order, dubbed the 'Minnesota Miracle 2.0' by some.
In the latest legislative sessions, Minnesota has passed a rash of progressive policies, including:
12 weeks of paid family and medical leave
Recreational marijuana
Free public collection tuition and trade programs for low-to-mid-income families
A new child tax credit
Free public breakfast and lunch at all public schools
Access to a driver's license for all residents, regardless of citizenship status
Increased protections for labor unions
A public option health plan allowing any resident to buy into Medicaid
Eradicating income tax on Social Security for low and middle-class seniors
Restored voting rights for felons who completed their sentence
Increased gun control
The PRO Act, which codified the right to abortion via the state legislature
Trans health bill making Minnesota a "refuge" for trans individuals
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota: Understanding the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
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