Update from Wadena, MN (9/02/25)
- knyreen
- Sep 2
- 3 min read
change is in the air
by Erik Osberg on 9/2/25
We’ve reached the unofficial end of summer. The leaves on the trees are starting to turn. The sun is setting earlier. Schools are back in session. There is change happening amongst voters in Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District as well. We connected with roughly 300 people, in-person, over the past week. We had a Community Fish Fry in Pelican Rapids, MN (Otter Tail County) that brought out 90-100 people. We also had a Community Social in Atwater, MN (Kandiyohi County) that 125-ish people attended. On Monday, 75 folks were on hand for the McLeod County DFL Labor Day Picnic. Lots of people thank me for running, but if it weren’t for them showing up, it wouldn’t work. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. We are forever in debt to the people we seek to serve for helping us create the change we seek. One day at a time.
On Thursday, August 28th, over 100 people gathered to celebrate at a Community Social event in Atwater, MN. There was a lineup of speakers & local experts that brought their perspectives. I spoke briefly and then took quite a few questions. By the end, it almost felt more like problem solving than stump-speeching. The topics were wide ranging and the questions weren’t easy. I did my best to be honest and straightforward. Gotta work on being more concise ;-)
The Cactus Blossoms took the stage and gave the evening a soundtrack. Special thanks to everyone who helped make last night happen. A team of people have been organizing and spreading the word. Word is getting out. There is a different path to a different outcome. We are blazing a trail, thanks to you. Keep up the good work.
The night before, we were in Pelican Rapids, MN for our 3rd Community Fish Fry. The turnout was incredible. Local organizers were hoping for 40 to 50 people. There were 90-100 people there. So many that we ran out of fish. We talked about public investment leading to public good. We talked about health care, education, agriculture, labor, & more. In short, we talked about real problems real people face in their daily lives. My favorite part was the individual conversations taking place organically before the food was served. You could see people connecting with neighbors & strangers alike. One attendee, who was from the other side of the aisle, summed up the event this way; “Being at this event was great. Seeing how the community came together to talk and listen to concerns was heart warming and hopeful. There was no anti this or that.”
The McLeod County DFL Labor Day Picnic in Hutchinson, MN was a huge success. Many thanks to local chair Lisa Scholerman and her team for putting together a great event, the food was delicious. Special thanks to Rep. Mike Freiberg, DFL Rural Campaigns Director Joe Shepherd & CD7 Chair Jen Cronin for being there and speaking. I met a veteran named Charly Markert. We had a nice long chat and he seemed genuinely excited about our campaign. I asked him if he knew about "V" for Victory, "Heck yeah!" he said. There were quite a few people there who we were connecting with for the 2nd or 3rd time. More importantly, we got to make new connections as well. Fantastic to see the tent growing bigger. Keep showing up western Minnesota & keep sharing your stories.
Our schedule will get a little lighter over the next six to seven weeks. Most of our in-person activity will have to happen on the weekends as I juggle work, campaigning & coaching football. Doesn’t mean we are stopping. Just means we are adapting.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Here is a look at more upcoming events.
Sep 7th - Grant County DFL Steak Fry - Ashby, MN
Sep 13th - Norman County meet-n-greet - Ada, MN
Sep 13th - Community Fish Fry - Barnesville, MN
Thank you for all the support & keep up the good work!
Thanks to our generous donors, we are closing in on $84,000 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
