Caucus Night

Posted Mar 4

Last night hundreds of neighbors from across the Ninth Ward came out to
attend their precinct caucus and my team is excited as we head into the
final ten days to victory at the Ninth Ward DFL convention.

My partner David and I greeted people in ten different rooms. Here’s the
message of hope and progress that I shared.

“It has been my honor working with you and your neighbors to implement your
ideas and make sure your voice is heard down at City Hall.

My partner David and I live near the YWCA in the Corcoran Neighborhood. I
became an activist twenty years ago when my friends were dying and I saw
how government inaction turned AIDS into a political crisis.

As an AIDS activist I saw then -and I still see now- how differences in
race, class and gender are magnified in public policy, depending on who has
a seat at the table, and whose voices are heard.

I joined the board of my neighborhood group because I realized if we don’t
have affordable neighborhoods where we can walk down the street without
fear, then our children will never have equal opportunity.

With President Obama leading us, I believe we are in the early days of a
better nation.

I believe our neighborhoods will emerge from this recession stronger because
of our shared vision of neighborhoods as sustainable, livable urban villages
with green jobs and safe streets.

Our country is in a crises, that’s why it’s more important than ever to keep
working together -neighborhood groups, you and me- and continue solving the
problems our neighborhoods face.

I love Ward 9 Democrats because we are a community of community organizers.

It’s very important that you are here tonight. You have the power to help
decide who is the strongest Democrat. The most progressive Democrat to carry
the DFL nomination this year. I am that Democrat. That is why I am asking
for you to become a delegate to our convention on March 14 and your vote for
my endorsement.

Thank you again so much for being here tonight! Have fun, and see you at the
convention!

SEIU Minnesota State Council, UNITE HERE Local 17 and the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation endorse Gary Schiff

Posted Feb 12

“I believe in the labor movement and I believe in justice in the workplace, and prosperity and opportunity for all of America’s working families.”

This past week, Gary has been privileged to receive a nod of approval for his work with the labor community and working families of Ward 9.  Collaborating with unions such as SEIU, UNITE HERE and the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, has allowed the community to improve the working conditions, wages and benefits of thousands of workers.  With the upcoming budget cuts, Gary’s experience and commitment to good jobs in the community will help to sustain the local economy and generate new green jobs for future generations.  Click here to see a full list of endorsements. 

Why I'm Running for Re-Election

Posted Feb 13

I am running for re-election as City Council Member because I believe I have shown how to advocate for people and advance a progressive agenda for change. And now, as we face the worst economic crisis of our lifetime I am ready to put my experience to work to help lift up every family in Minneapolis. 

Our neighborhoods have been through a lot together.  Workers are losing their jobs.  Families are losing their homes. Children continue to be recruited by gangs.  We have been through tough times before and come out stronger. I know we will do that again.

In the next four years I will be focused on creating green jobs for a sustainable future, securing safe housing for all, and ensuring that every child has a safe neighborhood and the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

I’m going to need your help. The election is in November, but first I need to earn the DFL endorsement again. Please attend your precinct caucus on Tuesday, March 3rd.

Visit my website and sign up to volunteer and make a donation. Those contributions, no matter how small, are critical because they will help power a grassroots door-to-door campaign that will help build the DFL and carry our momentum forward from the last election.

I look forward to hearing your ideas in the weeks ahead. Thank you for giving me the honor of being your Ninth Ward City Council Member. I hope I can count on your help this year as we advance a progressive agenda and secure a better future for our neighborhoods.

Mark Your Calendars

Posted Jan 25

Mark your calendars for Tuesday March 3rd at 7:00 pm!  Minneapolis Ward 9 DFL caucuses will be held at Folwell Middle School (3611 20th Ave S).  Support Gary by becoming a delegate to your Ward Convention.  To learn more about becoming a delegate, click here.  Hope to see you there!