Campaign door knocking for better government, contract and swag

MAPE’s Electoral Campaign Kickoff and Training on June 6 brought together veteran campaign volunteers and first-timers eager to learn how to make an impact this election season. Hosted by MAPE’s Political Action Committee (PAC), the training underscored why the upcoming November election is pivotal for state employees: fully funded agencies, strong public services for Minnesotans and the foundation for effective contract negotiations that include raises and benefits.  

Region 6 Steward Director Mary Heim emphasized the urgency, “I think it will be a really hard contract year and we need to show our elected leaders that we are a force to be reckoned with. We need our state elected officials to step up and we need to start now because there is too much on the line. I know this personally because I work at the Minnesota Department of Health and our department has faced prior layoffs and still faces uncertainties related to federal funding.”  

The training featured Vivian Ihekoronye of Faith in Minnesota, who spoke powerfully about relational organizing and voter persuasion and why meaningful conversations remain one of the most effective tools for building political power.   

PAC Chair Monica Weber reinforced the strategy, “There are always going to be people who agree with you, those who will never agree with you and we have to learn how to convince those in the middle to come to our side.”  

She added that the day’s goal was simple: “We all want a good contract and to do this we need fully funded agency budgets and good legislators – and we have to elect them.”   

Every MAPE political training includes real-world action, and this kickoff was no exception. Members door knocked for former MAPE member Aisha Elmquist, who is running to replace retiring Representative Kelly Moller in District 40A. 

“Aisha is super excited to partner with MAPE and put the issues of state employees at the forefront,” Weber said. “She’ll be another fighter for working families at the Capitol.” 

For Local 101’s Katrina Hopkins, this was her first electoral training – and her first time door knocking. After a long career in the National Guard, she said she felt increasingly called to community and service. “The world can be really isolating, and I’ve found being in a union makes it easy to get involved and provides a lot of opportunities,” she said.  

Hopkins praised the training but joked at her first door she was secretly hoping no one would answer. ”You’re trying to juggle a lot with managing the app and sharing information you just learned about the candidate. The point is to make human connections, and you have to be ready to be open and have honest discussions with people who may not agree.” 

One of those connections came with a woman wearing a Trump t-shirt. “She told me she usually voted straight ticket. I told her I just wanted her to check Aisha out because my union supports her because she supports workers and will do good things for workers and families. By the end of our conversation, she said she would look at Aisha’s website.” 

Even though it “was a little bit stressful, it was extremely rewarding and I will 100 percent be door knocking again,” Hopkins promised.  

Last weekend, Heim recently joined Weber and MAPE member and Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger in Woodbury where the trio knocked on more than 100 doors.  

MAPE is organizing statewide door knocks throughout the election season.  

“We picked targeted races throughout the state,” Weber explained. “Members can knock for any candidate on the list – they don’t have to wait for a MAPE-organized event. Grab a couple of folks from your local or your neighbors and organize a knock,” Weber said.  

Upcoming MAPE campaign events are listed here.

This year, members can earn prizes for door knocking or phone banking shifts for MAPE-PAC endorsed candidates in targeted districts. Weekly emails will go to those who sign up for information about upcoming volunteering opportunities.  

Both Heim and Hopkins say they’re aiming for the top prize: they are hoping to complete enough shifts to earn the MAPE PAC bomber jacket.  

Sign up here to participate in the program. 

Swag prizes available: 

5 shifts = MAPE PAC hat  
10 Shifts = MAPE PAC crewneck sweatshirt  
15 Shifts = MAPE PAC bomber jacket