re:power
Formation2002
PurposeGrassroots campaign training organization for progressives
HeadquartersMinneapolis, Minnesota
Executive Director
Karundi Williams
Websiterepower.org

re:power, formerly Wellstone Action (stylized in all lowercase), is a 501(c)(4) progressive advocacy organization founded by longtime political operative Jeff Blodgett. Based in Minnesota, it trains community organizers, student activists, campaign staff, progressive candidates and elected officials.[1] The organization was originally named after Paul Wellstone, a U.S. Senator who died in a plane crash along with his wife, Sheila, and daughter, Marcia, on October 25, 2002. After Wellstone's death, his surviving children and former campaign manager founded the group to carry on Wellstone's populist approach to progressive politics.[2][3]

Tim Walz, elected to represent Minnesota's 1st congressional district in 2006, was the progressive training program's first successful candidate at the federal level.[4] Mark Ritchie, Minnesota's former Secretary of State, is a Wellstone Action alum.[1]

In May 2018, it was reported that that organization's board of directors had voted to remove Wellstone's two sons from their directorial positions after they raised questions about the financial activities of the organization. There was also a dispute over the direction and priorities of the group.[5] Following the removal of Wellstone's sons from the organization's board of directors, Wellstone Action was rebranded as "re:power".[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Dreier, Peter (October 12, 2012). "Paul Wellstone's Life and Legacy". Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Stone, Gene (2007). The Bush Survival Bible: 250 Ways to Make It Through the Next Four Years Without Misunderestimating the Dangers Ahead, and Other Subliminable Strategeries. Random House Publishing Group. p. 12. ISBN 9780307416964.
  3. ↑ Franken, Al (October 25, 2012). "Paul Wellstone's Legacy, 10 Years Later". The Atlantic. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Horrigan, Marie (October 17, 2006). "Minn. Roundup: Walz a Legit Barrier to Gutknecht in 1st District". New York Times. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Siders, David. "Wellstone legacy 'goes dormant' after family ousted in Democratic feud". POLITICO. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  6. ↑ "RePower (Wellstone Action)". www.influencewatch.org. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
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