DFL
/
DSA
Many people are confused by the distinction between two political groups: the Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL) and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). We seek to clarify this important distinction by not allowing candidates to be endorsed by both organizations.
MAKING A DISTInCTION
OUR GOAL: Win
Winning elections at the local, state, and national level requires clear and consistent messaging on the values and policies that most strongly align with the Democratic Party’s platform, and supporting candidates who can articulate those priorities. The values and polices of the DFL and the DSA are NOT the same.
Yes, and we are.
This does not affect our ability to advocate for new policies and values. Operating as a coherent organization to win elections means that we must stay focused on endorsing candidates who accurately represent OUR platform. Endorsing candidates who also hold endorsements from organizations with ideas we don’t agree with sends mixed signals to voters. It also causes traditional Democrats to scratch their head and wonder why their party has veered so hard into fringe issues.
We welcome everybody who isn’t trying to “beat” our party. This is about the DFL asking candidates who accept our endorsement to support our values, not the very different values of the democratic socialists.
SHOULDN’T WE BE OPEN TO ALL IDEAS?
Leadership in the DSA is split between two strategies — take over Democratic party units and use the Democratic party apparatus to mainstream their ideas until they are strong enough to leave the party behind, or open contest with the Democrats. Both of these strategies at play in Minneapolis. This year there are currently DSA endorsed candidates running for DFL endorsement, and a DSA candidate who ran in opposition to the DFL endorsement process entirely.
Their party documents reveal this divide as well. The national DSA stated in writing their desire to offer America a third option in order to defeat the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.
The DSA passed a resolution at their August 4-6, 2023 National Convention stating: “the key to defeating the far right and beating the Democratic Party lies in presenting a third, democratic socialist alternative for working-class people that is organizationally, strategically, and visibly independent of the Democratic Party.”
Link to the convention report. Pages 73-74
More recently, on June 12th of this year, the Twin Cities chapter of the DSA sent an email declaring their break with the DFL and wrongly accused our party of participating in the destruction of our country, equating us with the policies of Donald Trump and the GOP: “As we build this movement against Trump, we will not be promoting the Democratic Party because the Democrats failed to beat Trump twice, they have failed to wage effective resistance against him, and they are contributing to economic inequality, wars, deportations, the climate crisis, etc.” Here is that letter as reported on by the Minneapolis Times.
the dsa sees itself as opposed to the dfl
WHAT IS THE DFL?
The DFL is the name of the Democratic Party in Minnesota. The DFL stands for Democratic-Farmer-Labor and indicates an alliance between these three core constituencies. The Minneapolis DFL is affiliated with the State DFL to endorse candidates in local city elections.
The DFL is organized by a constitution and a platform created through a caucus and convention process and a centralized committee with representatives from the organizing units across the state. It also has members on the Democratic National Committee and participates in the creation of the national platform. Its purpose is to elect candidates to office who represent the values outlined in these documents.
WHAT IS THE DSA?
The Twin Cities DSA is a political organization that focuses on workers rights and the end of capitalism. DSA stands for Democratic Socialists of America. The local chapter is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America—and endorses candidates in local city elections.
The DSA is organized by a constitution and a platform created by their members with a grievance and organizing structure similar to both the DFL and the GOP. Their stated goal is to offer a third party that is distinct from, and competes against, the Democratic and Republican parties. Its purpose is to elect candidates to office who represent their values.
Proposed Resolution
We are collecting signatures of Delegates and Alternates to the Minneapolis DFL City Convention on July 19-20 to introduce a “resolution” addressing this issue. If we gather the required signatures we will be able to propose our resolution. After its introduction, few people will briefly explain why we recommend it, and if there are people who want to speak against it they will be offered the opportunity. That is what we call debate. After this short debate we will vote. Maybe we will have a new rule!
By signing our petition you are not pledging your support of the resolution, you are just helping get it introduced it at the convention. We think the resolution deserves to be discussed.
Whereas, the Democratic Farmer Labor Party (the DFL) is a political party and has a Platform which is it’s “values statement”, and
Whereas, the Democratic Socialists of America (the DSA) functions like a political party and also has a Platform which is it’s “values statement”, and
Whereas, the DFL and DSA platform statements differ widely, and
Whereas both the DFL and the DSA confer endorsements on candidates for public office, and
Whereas, being dually-endorsed by both the DFL and DSA is contradictory and misleads voters.
Therefore, be it resolved that any candidate for municipal office in Minneapolis, MN may not concurrently accept or hold an endorsement or official recommendation from the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America/DSA and Mpls DFL. If adopted, this provision shall be in effect 14 days after passage. Any candidate who is currently endorsed by TCDSA/DSA and the Mpls DFL shall have until that date to choose which endorsement to keep. Any such candidates who do not notify the Mpls DFL of their choice will automatically have their DFL endorsement revoked. This provision applies only to endorsements or official recommendations of the TCDSA/DSA and the Mpls DFL, endorsements from other organizations are not subject to this resolution.