Minnesota NOW Political Action Committee

Minnesota NOW formed a PAC in 1982 to help elect feminist women and men to local and state office - from the library board to the governor.  The PAC members represent each of Minnesota's eight congressional districts to ensure a strong voice for Greater Minnesota as well as the Twin Cities area. 

The MN NOW PAC rates prospective candidates who seek our endorsement.   The candidate must contact MN NOW.   While we try to get the word out through our members, we do not blanket every candidate from every race.  We will also rate more than one candidate in a race if the candidates apply.

Candidates are sent a detailed questionnaire which they complete and return.  This questionnaire relates to MN NOW's six core issues, plus platform issues as defined by the MN NOW Legislative Committee.  Candidates are then rated based on their answers, as well as the degree of leadership they have shown in these six areas.

Our Issues = Core Issues + Platform Issues  

The six core issues are:

Ratings:

A - Endorsed: Solid on all 6 core issues.   Good on all platform issues.  Takes leadership on our issues.

B - Supported: Upholds 5 of 6 core issues and takes leadership on our issues. <or> Solid on all 6 core issues and has not demonstrated leadership on our issues. 

C - Fair: Supports 4 of 6 core issues and mixed on platform issues. 

D - Rejected: Opposed to 2 or more of the 6 core issues.  

F - Failed: Opposed to 2 or more of the 6 core issues and/or takes prominent leadership in opposition to any of our issues.

NR - Not Rated: not a serious candidate or candidate is seeking a poor rating to promote opposition to any of our issues or the MN NOW PAC feels the candidate is unsuitable in any way.

The PAC has a very strict interpretation of MN NOW's issues.  Therefore, a candidate with a "B" or a "C" rating may be a fine candidate and worthy of your support.

An "A" rating means the MN NOW PAC has given its endorsement to the candidate.  It allows the candidate to use our name in their literature.  The other ratings do not allow our name to be used in this manner.  However, the MN NOW PAC can (and does) choose to support the candidate in other ways.  These include monetary contributions or an in-kind contribution such as MN NOW member names. 

The MN NOW PAC usually has openings and feels it can be most effective with more volunteers.  Please consider the MN NOW PAC in both your time and financial giving opportunities.  PAC donations should be directed and made payable to the Minnesota NOW PAC.

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