Meet Deb

I’ve been the treasurer of SD61 DFL for nine years, and I’ve actually enjoyed it. If that’s not nerd cred, I don’t know what is. During my 2017 onboarding conversation with the outgoing chair and treasurer I was told that “treasurer is the only DFL job that can land you in jail.” I have managed to stay out of jail, and also out of trouble with the Campaign Finance Board folks, who have always been helpful and friendly when I needed them. I’ve served on the CD5 budget committee and the MN DFL budget committee, as well.

I’m very proud to have been part of the team that put together our highly acclaimed community cookbook “Taste the Trifecta.” (We have a few copies left, and you could have one for the low low price of just $20. Hit me up.)

I’ve learned an enormous amount about the details of event planning for caucuses, conventions, and fundraisers, and have put that knowledge into action. When we needed a caucus convener in February I parachuted in and ran the caucus for another precinct. This year I also attended or convened all five SD61 pre-convention committees. I’m typing this during a break in counting  594 resolutions ballots. (The DFL needs a better process for resolutions.)

I started participating in elections as an election judge for the primary that happened September 11, 2001, and have worked in almost every election since then, at several locations around the city. Nerd cred: I like to brag that I’ve leveled up to Registration and Pollbook Specialist, and am always amazed at how interesting the election judge training is. Not kidding. 

I have a long, clean record of never voting for a Republican. Not once. 

In my day job I’m a psychologist. I’ve been lucky to have lots of training and experience in group therapy, and none in Robert’s Rules of Order. When Josh and I first talked about being running mates, it started with me asking him if RRoO allowed for a position called something like Civility Officer, which had the same kind of power as the parliamentarian. I was only half kidding. He took the question very seriously, and I learned about “decorum.” That conversation evolved into a shared desire to work to reduce intra-party strife and internecine warfare, and instead put our time and energy into winning elections against Republicans. It’s the only fight that matters. Underneath the labels that divide our party, there is enormous agreement about that. The DFL can only win through coalition. That’s what is meant by the “big tent” idea. And so we’re a coalition ticket.