Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE)

What does PACE do?

NASW National in Washington, DC supports candidates for the US House of Representatives, the US Senate, and the US Presidency; and implements program development and training for political action throughout the association. 

The Minnesota Chapter of NASW supports candidates for the MN House and Senate, as well as candidates in other state and local elections. State Chapter PACE units endorse state and local candidates and collaborate with the national unit on federal elections. 

PACE’s objectives are: 

• Q & A sessions with candidates
• Candidate endorsements
• Provision of coordinated assistance to candidates by donating money or resources, such as volunteers to their campaign. 

PACE also plans educational political trainings for social workers. PACE supports candidates

Support PACE in Minnesota!

PACE needs your help! You can volunteer or donate to PACE in Minnesota. Your donation makes it possible for PACE to screen and endorse candidates, support candidates for office who are aligned with our legislative priorities, and organize educational events. 

To contribute, please make checks out to NASW-MN PACE

Mail to NASW-MN, 2610 University Ave W, Suite 475,  St. Paul, MN 55114 

Serving on MN’s PACE Committee 

Being part of MN PACE can be exciting! In past years, we have screened candidates running for Governor, Mayor, State House and Senate, County Commissioner, State Auditor, School Board, and County Sheriff. The NASW-MN Board President appoints members to the committee for two-year terms. PACE committee members believe that they need to stay active and lend their voice to screening and supporting candidates for public office to ensure fair and human-centered policy for themselves as social workers, as well as the people they serve. Contact NASW-MN at admin.naswmn@socialworkers.org or 651-293-2935 for more information or if you want to join us!

MN PACE-Endorsed Winners

These results are current as of November 11, 2020.

Full list of MN-PACE Endorsed Candidates

MN House of Representatives

Joe Abetya running for MN House District 5B

Ester Agbaje running for MN House District 59B

Jeff Brand running for MN House District 19A

Sandra Feist running for MN House in District 41B

Jess Hanson running for MN House in District 56A 

Athena Hollins running for MN House District 66B

Brittney Johnson running for MN House District 8A

MN Senate

Rita Albrecht running for MN Senate District 5

Ann Johnson Stewart running for MN Senate District 44

Sarah Kruger running for MN Senate District 28

Erin Murphy running for MN Senate District 64

Jon Olson running for MN Senate District 20

Aric Putnam running for MN Senate District 14 

Other races

Mary Granlund running for Columbia Heights School Board

Kevin Naderson running for Hennepin County Commissioner 

Social Workers in Elected Office

MN-PACE wants to hear about Minnesota social workers serving in and running for elected office and political roles! This includes, but is not limited to: school board, city council, neighborhood caucuses, and other local and state government positions. If you or a social worker you know holds or is running for an elected position, please tell us about it! Contact NASW-MN at 651-293-1935 or kgoodenough.naswmn@socialworkers.org.

Resources

Resources for Getting Involved in Politics

Why Social Workers Should Run for Office

Social Workers Serving in Elected Office/Political Roles

Social Workers in Congress