Ernest “Joey” Oppegaard-Peltier for US House MN-7 joins the DFL 2021 CornFeed.
U.S. House Candidate confronts MN Governor Tim Walz over Enbridge Line 3 at the 15th Annual Senate District 16 Corn Feed.
Wednesday, August 4th, the DFL held their annual Corn Feed. The event, skewed toward the farmers and southern rural democrats of the Minnesotan Party, where current elected democrats and aspiring candidates hoped to gain delegates for the upcoming spring convention endorsement process, give speeches and meet and greet our future friends and supporters. With Keynote speakers slated this year to be Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon.
As a candidate for US House MN-7, our campaign was invited to be in attendance and offer our greatest of stump speeches, in hopes to inspire folks to join our winning campaign. As a community leader driven campaign, we use every tool in our toolkit to represent our communities’ needs. Our most pressing need is to end this Gov. Walz created civil war over a forgiven company’s pipeline, shipping China’s oil. Our campaign team made attending the Corn Feed a top priority, even as I personally wanted to wait for my elder sister to be released from unjust detainment, 3 hours away from the event. To read more on the civil war created by Gov. Walz.as the Line 3 project has been most divisive in our communities along the Enbridge corridor.
With well over 75 folks in attendance, the atmosphere was light and joyful on the farm. By the time of our first keynote speaker Gov. Walz spoke, our campaign handed out a handful of campaign cards and made great impacts on good democrats even whilst holding some difficult topics of conversations that would make the campaign base’s proud. As not to scare Tim away from the event guest’s moments with him, I waited until Tim was to depart from the farm to approach on the difficult conversation. With hands out, one to be shaken, the other to pass our campaign card to him, I greeted Gov. Walz and introduced our campaign. I asked our governor, the most powerful politician in our state, to stop Enbridge’s Line 3.
Tim Walz’ stature adjusted as his campaign smile turned into a grimace, seemingly annoyed expression. Tim retorted, “We already had our day in court, what do you want me to do about it, they won.” With the strength of our campaign’s conviction against big business and anti-political corruption, our campaign responded, “They’re Big Business Timmy, you’re the governor of a state. You have to say to the Big Business, “No!” You didn’t win, let’s go back to court, I have to govern for the people.” After that being said, Governor Walz was visibly agitated and taking that note, Tim’s executive aid Charlie stepped in to offer his card and attempted to usher Tim away.
Gov. Walz waived his aid away, saying, “I got this.” Our campaign followed up with “Our farmlands! How can you risk our farmlands for China’s oil, to line your pockets.” With that being said, the aid returned, tugging on Tim’s hand trying to remove his boss from the scene that was forming. With aew smiles of approval, towards what I had said, along with some mortifying looks of disapproval about the confrontation. Tim, not taking the gesture to escape, repeated “I got this.” Addressing our campaign, Tim stated, “What do you propose, what legal routes you purpose I go?”
With that, our campaign, in an understanding of the educated staff with diverse assets they do have, we responded, “Oh I don’t know, you’re the Governor of the state with a highly trained legal team. Why don’t you go like the Michigan’s Governor and stop the line?” Quickly, Tim retorted, “Well, they’re in court.” Our campaign challenged, “Why aren’t you back in court?”.
“On what grounds?!” screamed back Tim red in the face, spitting on my glasses as he spoke. In haste, we commented back, “Any grounds you can find and more!” “You could just simply say no, to it. Or reach out to President Biden, using the platform the people gave you.” The aid, Charlie, returned stating “Tim we got to go.” Seemingly not wanting to back down, Tim responded that he was finishing up here. Directing his next comment to our campaign, the Minnesotan Governor said, “Well you’re running for congress, what do you plan on doing about it?”
“I am a running candidate, talking to the governor of my state, using our platform to represent our communities and farmers. … We will be not only yelling at you from Washington, yet also at President Biden. Because both of you are bought and sold to big business.”
At this point, from my perspective, Governor Walz balled his fist, appearing to size up his opponent. Luckily, Charlie grabbed Tim’s wrist and pulled him away.
Returning to the event as our Governor left, we enjoyed an inspiring speech by our State Secretary, referencing the great voter turnout last year. Last, and truly the most winning speech of the event, our campaign had a chance to address our community. Reading from our campaign card, the host of the event ace’d my name as he introduced our campaign (always a joy), including that we are seeking the DFL’s endorsement.
Making our intentions clear, I started off my speech, stating that we are not seeking the endorsement, simply making a plea to include our campaign’s voice. With the generational farming family I am from and married into, our campaign’s focus on farming, anti-trust intentions, building up our family farms, and protecting the soil wealth of our lands is well worth the DFL’s consideration.
A main focus was onthe national security threat that Enbridge’s Line 3 Tar Sands Expansion and Relocation project actually poses to our Minnesotan farms and U.S. Economy. Together we cane win back Minnesota Congressional District 7 and support our Indigenous communities, especially with the help of Native voters. We expressed our gratitude for Secretary Simon’s help on voter turnout and his acknowledgment of the over 9 thousand new Indigenous voters! I noted how grateful I was to have been a small part of that effort to bring Native voices to our political process. In the end, our campaign’s speech received applause and several standing ovations. It was clear that my messaging was resonating with these farmers.
Finishing up and stepping down from the farmhouse’s deck, I received a hug as I was greeted by a handful of folks. As the event wrapped up, our campaign was the last out, with a handful of folks left behind after hours of conversations with folks, the 2021 Corn Feed was a successful experience for our campaign… and a powerful moment for our issues to be brought to the table. From almost getting punched by our Governor, to receiving those smiles after getting those folks to laugh, I am ready for more!
We are a winning ticket, come join the 7th Generation and support our campaign!
