Minnesota Forward (or MN Forward[1]) is a political action group[2] funded by local corporations. They were "established to ensure that private-sector job creation and economic growth are at the top of the agenda during the 2010 campaign"[3] Their mission statement says that "MN Forward is an effort by Minnesota job providers to elect a governor and state legislators who understand the importance of creating private-sector jobs and economic opportunity in our state."[4]
As of late summer 2010, MN Forward was supporting a ticket consisting of Tom Emmer for governor, Terri Bonoff, Doug Magnus, and Jim Metzen for State Senate, and Gene Pelowski, Doug Wardlow, and Kurt Zellers for the State House.[5] However, the PAC, which took in $1.9 million in contributions, dedicated 97% of its expenditures towards supporting Emmer and defeating Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mark Dayton.[6]
Criticism over donations
In July 2010, Target Corporation and Best Buy, among others, gave $150,000 and $100,000 respectively to Minnesota Forward. The funds were then spent on campaign ads for Tom Emmer, which provoked criticism by Human Rights Campaign, due to his positions on LGBT rights.[7]
References
- ↑ "Who We Are | MN>Forward". Mnforward.com. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ↑ Rachel E. Stassen-Berger (2010-07-18). "New Ads and a New Nod in Minnesota's Governor Race". Star-Tribune. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- ↑ "Creating jobs. Right here. Right now. - #MN2010 #Stribpol". MNForward. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ↑ "Who We Are | MN>Forward". Mnforward.com. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ↑ "Minnesota 2010 Governor's Election - House & Senate Candidate Races | MN>Forward". Mnforward.com. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ↑ Caldwell, Patrick (October 26, 2010). "MN Forward draws more limited corporate support, picks up RGA backing". The Minnesota Independent.
- ↑ "Target Corporation Message to LGBT Community: We Won't Make it Right". HRC. 2010-08-16. Archived from the original on 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2010-11-04.