Update from Wadena, MN (10/20/25)

we the people

An estimated 1,000 people gathered in Alexandria on Saturday, Oct. 18 2025

by Erik Osberg on 10/20/25

Over the weekend we practiced corporeal politics. We joined millions of other Americans who participated in demonstrations across the country. We exercised our First Amendment right to peaceably assemble to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Our Saturday started in Alexandria, MN. An estimated 1,000 people gathered at Veterans Memorial Park. Organizers addressed the crowd and reminded them of best practices before they lined the sidewalk. The crowd spread for blocks. 

These were NOT paid protesters. These are veterans, farmers, teachers, students and retired folks who are standing up for what they believe is right. They are doing so peacefully, from a place of love, not hate as some would have you believe.  

We ran into a lot of people we knew in Alexandria, MN on Saturday.

Our next stop was Fergus Falls, MN. The signs were great, the energy was great and the turnout was great. Reports suggest 375-400 people showed up for this demonstration. Once again, we bumped into a lot of folks that we have met on the campaign trail.

A couple of our favorite signs we saw in Fergus Falls, MN on Saturday.

From there, we headed back to the east to join a crowd of 130ish people in Long Prairie, MN. Throughout the day there were way more horns honked in support than middle fingers of disapproval. 

Roughly 130 people lined HWY 71 in Long Prairie on Saturday

Our final stop Saturday was Pelican Rapids, MN. 150+ people had been there. I was allowed to address those on hand. My message to them was to know they are not alone. We are not alone. I encouraged them to remember the day, and reflect on it the next time the world starts to get them down. I expressed my gratitude for those who keep showing up. Plenty of work lies ahead. We are off to a good start and generating momentum. Huge thanks to all the organizers who made yesterday happen.

Ending our day in Pelican Rapids, MN.

One of the organizers of the Pelican Rapids event said he was very happy how the day went. “No town too small.” is what Ivan Olson had to say. When I texted him afterwards he added. “Momentum is an uncountable currency, and you’ve got it.” The momentum we have right now is because of the hard work of a lot of people. Especially those who keep showing up. 

Here is a look at more upcoming events. 

Oct. 21st - Private Party - (click here if you would like to host a private party)

Oct. 25th - Glencoe Pedestrian Bridge 

Oct. 29th - Private Party - (click here if you would like to host a private party)

Nov 3rd - Kandiyohi County DFL Fundraiser - New London, MN

Thank you for all the support & keep up the good work! 

Thanks to our generous donors, we are closing in on $117,000 raised. Our campaign relies on donations from folks like you. If you have already donated, THANK YOU! If you have set up a recurring donation, even better.  If you would like to host a private party fundraiser, click here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/SKQtMANaY0W8nGqHcpukXA2

Please share our announcement video.

Help fuel our campaign

Update from Wadena, MN (9/23/25)

83 campaign stops in 195 days

meet-n-greet in Hawley, MN on 9/15/25

by Erik Osberg on 9/23/25

Last week was a busy stretch for us. We had 7 campaign stops in 9 days. On Monday evening, we were in Hawley, MN sharing the vision for our campaign and fielding questions. For nearly 2 hours I did my best to address what was on everyone's hearts & minds. Once again, the evening morphed into a bit of a group problem solving session. The topics discussed were many, as were the connections being made. The lesson learned is when you gather with neighbors, to listen, learn & share, we all walk away with more hope. We all walk away with fresh perspectives. We all walk away with ideas we can put into action. So grateful for the invitation & the 50+ people that showed up to contribute to the conversation.

Wednesday evening we visited Douglas County for a gathering at a wonderful winery just south of Parkers Prairie. Folks gathered under the tent while a light rain cooled me down. Roughly 35 people were there. Lots & lots of questions. Lots & lots of support. Lots & lots of work remains. Huge thanks to everyone who made this get-together happen. And thanks to everyone who showed up and shared what is on their hearts and minds.

Full house at Farm Aid 40, Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.

The Mrs. & I had the pleasure of attending Farm Aid 40 on Saturday. What an amazing experience. So proud of Minnesota for showing up and staying late. Farming is woven into the fabric of our rural communities here in western Minnesota. We need to stand in solidarity with the stewards of the land, the family farm. One really cool moment for us was when MN Dept. of Ag Commissioner Thomas Peterson introduced Minnesota’s own Trampled by Turtles. We also heard/saw Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Eric Burton if Black Pumas, Waxahatchee, Steve Earl, Wynonna Judd, Lukas Nelson, Billy Strings, Kenny Chesney, Margo Price, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, John Mellencamp & Bob Dylan. Had to leave before Neil Young & the Chrome Hearts and Willie Nelson & Family, but we got to watch the rest of the show from the hotel. What an incredible day. Just might wanna attend Farm Aid 41.

On Sunday we stopped at the DFL Rural Caucus Chili Cookoff Fundraiser on our way back from the Twin Cities. Great turnout at a great venue. Milk & Honey Ciders near St. Joseph is an impressive facility with open air & lots of cover. I counted 9 candidates for state & federal office in attendance. MN Secretary of State Steve Simon, other elected officials & members of MN DFL leadership were on hand as well. Happy to see so much enthusiasm this far away from election day. Keep up the good work everyone.

DFL Rural Caucus Chili Cookoff in St. Joseph, MN.

Sunday marked our 83rd campaign stop since we announced on March 11th. It has been a wild ride over the past 6 months. Here are some of our stats to date. 

Our schedule is gonna lighten up a bit over the next few weeks. We will be in Renville County this Saturday. 

Here is a look at more upcoming events. 

Sep 27th- Renville County DFL Hotdish Dinner - Renville, MN

Oct 5th - Community Fish Fry - Sauk Centre, MN

Oct 11th - DFL CD7 Oktoberfest - Granite Falls, MN

Thank you for all the support & keep up the good work! 

Thanks to our generous donors, we are closing in on $107,000 raised. Our campaign relies on donations from folks like you. If you have already donated, THANK YOU! If you have set up a recurring donation, even better.  If you would like to host a private party fundraiser, click here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/SKQtMANaY0W8nGqHcpukXA2

Please share our announcement video.

Help fuel our campaign

Update from Wadena, MN (9/15/25)

WE DID IT! ALL 38 COUNTIES VISITED

Saturday’s meet-n-greet in Ada, MN.

by Erik Osberg on 9/15/25

When we launched this campaign 6 months ago, one of our goals was to visit all 38 Counties in Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District as quickly as humanly possible. We are happy to report that with Saturday’s visit to Norman County, we have officially held a public event or made a public appearance in every single county we intend to represent. We have been listening & learning along the way. We have been connecting the dots and creating community. We have been doing better. 

We brought some champagne along for our meet-n-greet in Ada, MN on Saturday. Fifteen of our neighbors joined us for candid conversations & some delicious cookies. We rearranged the picnic tables to form a bit of a circle and had a roundtable discussion. I got to do more listening than talking and took notes. Towards the end of the gathering we broke out the bubbly to toast a goal met. Thanks to everyone who has shown up along the way. We will be back around again. 

Community Fish Fry in Barnesville, MN.

We didn’t get to stick around Norman County very long. We also hosted a Community Fish Fry in Clay County that evening. The Barnesville Event Center was the perfect place to fry fish & feed unity. Roughly 50 folks came out for the event. We had just enough fish for me to get a sandwich at the end. A ton of great questions were asked and compelling conversations were had. Huge thanks to the Clay County DFL for their help. Huge thanks to the Norman County DFL for sending along the awesome cookies.

DFL Working Families Picnic in Detroit Lakes, MN.

We wrapped up our weekend at the DFL Working Families Picnic in Detroit Lakes, MN on Sunday. This community has been VERY active making sure they are creating opportunities for people to connect and have their voices heard. State Senator Rob Kubec (SD4) gave real world perspective on his work at the State Capitol. He also offered some helpful tips on ways to communicate with our neighbors. Candidates Thaddeus Laugisch (MN House 4B) and Ben Schierer (MN State Auditor) shared their reasons for entering their perspective races and what matters to them. I too was allowed to address the crowd and was pleased to see so many new faces in attendance. Once again I did my best to express who I am, the vision for our campaign & the issues that matter most to us. I also did my best to express my gratitude to folks for showing up. It matters that we gather. A common theme throughout the day, and rightfully so, was Labor. We are the working class and we need to show solidarity. 

Huge thanks to Nancy & the rest of the organizing team for putting together a great event.  I even got to do a little hula hoopin'.

Our schedule is gonna lighten up a bit over the next few weeks. We are looking forward to attending Farm Aid at Huntington Bank Stadium this weekend.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Here is a look at more upcoming events. 

Sept 17th - Douglas County meet-n-greet - Miltona, MN

Sep 20th - Farm Aid - Minneapolis, MN

Sep 27th - Renville County DFL Hotdish Dinner - Renville, MN

Oct 5th - Community Fish Fry - Sauk Centre, MN

Oct 11th - DFL CD7 Oktoberfest - Granite Falls, MN

Thank you for all the support & keep up the good work! 

Thanks to our generous donors, we are closing in on $96,000 raised. Our campaign relies on donations from folks like you. If you have already donated, THANK YOU! If you have set up a recurring donation, even better.  If you would like to host a private party fundraiser, click here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/SKQtMANaY0W8nGqHcpukXA2

Please share our announcement video.

Help fuel our campaign