Congressman Jim Oberstar Endorses Mark Ritchie to be Minnesota's Next Secretary of State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 24, 2006
Contact: Sandra Boone 612-275-1761

St. Paul, MN - Congressman Jim Oberstar endorsed Mark Ritchie to be Minnesota's next Secretary of State today.

"Mark Ritchie is dedicated to the proposition that all eligible voters go to the polls and cast their ballots," Oberstar said. "With Mark as our Secretary of State, Minnesota's voter turnout will rise to the high levels that Northeastern Minnesota consistently achieves."

Congressman Oberstar joins over 70 state and local elected officials and DFL party leaders, many key labor unions, civic engagement and community groups and thousands of Minnesotans who have already publicly pledged their support of Ritchie.

"I am honored by Congressman Oberstar's endorsement. As Minnesota's longest serving member of the US House of Representatives, Oberstar has been a wonderful public servant and friend of Minnesota," Ritchie said.

Oberstar's endorsement adds to Ritchie's momentum that has been building since before he won a decisive victory in the statewide DFL Caucus Night Straw Poll in early March. Since the straw poll Ritchie has attended over 50 DFL conventions and has built a strong lead among the DFL delegates who will decide the party's endorsement at the June convention.

"I look forward to winning the DFL endorsement at the convention in June. I have been traveling across the state talking to voters and building the type of grassroots campaign which will help me win in November," Ritchie said. "Everywhere I travel, people understand the need for change in the Secretary of State's Office. People understand that we need 21st Century leadership that champions our democratic rights and responsibilities."