Black Republican opens campaign headquarters in North Minneapolis

Lacy Johnson for 59B 

Candidate for Minnesota House 

Campaign Headquarters:

North Minneapolis 

827 West Broadway Avenue

Minneapolis, MN. 55411

Contact: Lacy Johnson 

Phone: (612) 799-6046

Email: lacyleejohnson@gmail.com 

August 30, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

          Minneapolis, Minn. – Minnesota GOP endorsed candidate for Minnesota House of

Lacy Johnson running for MN House 59-B
(photo: Johnson for House 59-B)

Representatives (59B) Mr. Lacy Johnson (R) has done the unthinkable…he’s opened and maintained solid community relationships and his campaign headquarters right in the middle of Minneapolis’ poorest area - north Minneapolis, at 827 Broadway Avenue West (between Lyndale and Bryant Avenues, near the Cub Foods). 

          “We have people stopping in all day, they want to know about jobs, wealth building, and why north Minneapolis has so many nonprofit agencies and very little opportunity for equity, education and environmental concerns like sustainable urban farming,” said Johnson. 

          Lacy Johnson pointed across the street to the now closed Burger King:   

“When Burger King closed, people in this area lost jobs…there was nothing to replace it. North Minneapolis has seen multi-millions of dollars pass through the neighborhood from the Empowerment Zone money to the tornado of 2011 and the financial windfall that was (in my opinion), mishandled, and from what I’m seeing, a hand-up has never been available. The unemployment rate might be low for some, but in my area, it’s in double-digits. We don’t talk about this much, it makes people uncomfortable.”

          Johnson is running against DFL incumbent Raymond Dehn (D) for a valued house seat to represent the people of north Minneapolis and its boundaries. Johnson’s pledge to the community members is impressive; he pledges to always act in the best interest of the people of District 59B; never put his personal, financial, or political interests above the interests of the people of District 59B; and, he will never run for re-election if he cannot achieve more visible and measurable positive differences in the lives of the people of District 59B than current and previous representatives. To get more information about Lacy Johnson, see: https://www.friendsoflacyjohnson.org/. 

About candidate Lacy Johnson (R) 59B:

          Lacy Lee Johnson was born in Natchez MS where his mom, dad, and elders raised him, his six sisters, and three brothers. Though times were economically challenging, Lacy had “a perfect childhood” and “the best public-school education.” Among his youthful achievements were first trombonist in the band, National Merit Semifinalist, Star Student of his senior class, and first Miss-Lou Junior Chess Champion. Lacy has been married to his wife Betty for 30 years with whom they raised two sons, Darien and Adrian. He is also blessed with a grandson Aden Prince Johnson. After completing his English studies at the University of Minnesota and graduating in Computer Programming at Brown Institute, he began his over 40-year career in information technology, systems development, and engineering as a technical writer in Hennepin County (MN). 

          Johnson has worked for Control Data, General Electric, Bell Atlantic, and Northwest Airlines in software and systems engineering, systems analyst, project management, and management building computer systems for fighter jets, torpedoes, air reconnaissance systems, guided missiles, and airport kiosks. He also worked as an IT solutions consultant for Xcel Energy.

          Johnson also wrote, produced, and hosted a weekly radio show, “The Flipside,” which provided news, entertainment, and commentary on current events; he has served as founder, partner, and CEO of three small businesses dedicated to the business development, technology training, and education within inner city communities: Uniworld Business Systems, UrbanEd LLC, and currently Young Entrepreneurs of America (YEA!). As program director at Hospitality House Youth Directions, he also oversaw its after school programs for inner city youth and its outreach programs for gang members.

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Paid for by Lacy Johnson for 59-B - 2018

Minnesota: SD 59 candidate Patwin Lawrence challenges incumbent to Community Forum

Editor's note: At this posting, senate district incumbent Senator Bobby Joe Champion as refused to contact groups attempting to set up a community forum with the SD 59 candidates. Patwin Lawrence is prepared go public with what could be some serious concerns about  Senator Champion's tenure in the Minnesota Senate.

Senate district 59 candidate Patwin Lawrence
(photo: Patwin Lawrence Facebook page - Fair Use)

Minneapolis, Minn. – Sen. Champion has denied his constituency an opportunity to participate in the political process in the upcoming August 9th primary. Patwin Lawrence who is challenging Sen. Champion in the August primary requested several times this week to have a debate/candidate forum with the incumbent.

On last Wednesday, SD59 Chair Jeff Strand, in an email communication with Mr. Lawrence, declined the idea of a debate/candidate forum. Lawrence gave Champion till 5pm on Friday, July 22 to make a decision whether he would support or deny his constituents the opportunity to have a debate/forum.

This type of behavior is not surprising, but typical of Sen. Champion. In May, Sen. Champion agreed to have a community meeting with North Minneapolis constituents questioning the $35 million appropriated to various non-profits in the recent legislative session. The meeting has not been scheduled.

An important piece of Lawrence’s platform is if he is elected to the state senate, he will have town hall meetings around the district before each legislative session to collate constituency ideas and craft a community driven legislative agenda to take to St. Paul. He would also regularly meet with constituency, especially at their request.

For more on Patwin Lawrence’s campaign platform/ideas, visit patwinlawrence.org/the_issues

About Patwin Lawrence: