I am honored to receive the endorsement of the DFL for the Minnesota House Seat in District 41B. The past few months have been the experience of a lifetime, as I have made new friends and developed new insights into my community and myriad policy issues that impact our daily lives. I was so impressed by all of the candidates who also stepped up in this pivotal moment for our political future and shared their vision for a progressive, inclusive Minnesota. 

I would like to thank the delegates who remained committed to the endorsement process in spite of incredible barriers and changes to the process. It would have been so easy to focus inward in this moment of national crisis, but the delegates who signed up pre-pandemic remained steadfast – logging into Zoom forums and connecting with me and the other candidates remotely as best as they could to make an informed vote. I’m truly inspired by this level of enthusiastic engagement amidst a pandemic.

I would also like to thank the Senate District leadership team. Their incredible time commitment and efforts to ensure a transparent and fair endorsement process were monumental. Things went so smoothly because of their dedication to the process and I am truly grateful for all of their efforts. 

I would like to thank my incredible campaign committee and the volunteers who believed in me and dedicated their scarce time and energy to support my campaign. Old friends and new friends, colleagues and acquaintances – I am so honored and humbled by this outpouring of support. I couldn’t have run the professional, proactive and substantive campaign that I did without the amazing team beside me. 

And to the new friends I’ve made along the way – your friendship is a reward in and of itself and I look forward to continuing to fight for justice alongside you. 

Lastly, to Ben – my husband, advisor, and best friend – thank you for being a pragmatic and enthusiastic source of guidance in these past months. I would never have taken this step without your encouragement and love and support.

In the coming months I will intensify my outreach to the entire 41B community, working alongside my campaign team and volunteers. Looking forward to the campaign trail! 

I am so humbled to announce our campaign’s endorsement from AFSCME Council 5. Now more than ever, our public workers are holding our state and our country together. I could not be more excited to have the support of this legendary advocate for workers’ rights.

The AFL-CIO is a powerful voice for advancing the rights of workers to call for an equitable Minnesota where all members of our community have what they need to thrive. As a Representative, I will partner with the AFL-CIO to support strategic investments in our community so that all Minnesotans can live a safe, abundant and healthy life.

I’m very honored to accept this endorsement by the DFL Veterans Caucus. Both of my grandfathers served in the U.S. Navy during World War II – my “Papa” in the Medical Corps, and my “Zaydie” as a welder. I feel very strongly that we as a society owe a huge debt to our Veterans and know based on conversations with friends who have served at home and overseas the toll that military service takes. I would welcome the opportunity to partner with the DFL Veterans Caucus to fight for their policy priorities in the Minnesota legislature. 

This endorsement represents a commitment to the core issues of the DFL Veterans Caucus, a major one of which is ending Veterans homelessness. In the age of COVID-19, this is more important than ever. We need to find new ways of supporting Minnesotans in need, and in particular Veterans who have served their country. I’m truly gratified by this endorsement.

There is nothing more impactful we can do for the future of Minnesota and to address systemic inequities in our state than to fully fund our public schools. In the legislature, I will fight alongside Education Minnesota for this critical funding, and to advance the rights of teachers and educational professionals in our schools. 

As a strong supporter of reproductive freedom, I am honored to have received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood. In the legislature, I will partner with Planned Parenthood to fight for a woman’s right to choose.

I am honored to have received the endorsement of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. At our meeting, we connected over our mutual passion for affordable health care, mental health parity, civil and economic rights of all Minnesotans, and the important role that social workers play in achieving these goals. I look forward to partnering with the NASW to advance these policy priorities together. 

SEIU represents the workers who provide care and support for our families in public schools, hospitals, higher education, nursing homes, schools, and in our homes. Together with SEIU, as a legislator I will fight for the rights of these front-line workers who amply deserve our gratitude and with it generous benefits, wages, and working conditions. 

I’m honored to have earned the endorsement of the MN Farmers Union PAC! MN Farmers Union has been organizing for rural Minnesotans since 1918. We have family in Iowa who operate a family farm and we love taking the kids down for visits. I look forward to working alongside MFU to support our food system and the rural communities family farmers live in.

UFCW Local 1189 represents over 10,000 members working across all sectors of our economy, from manufacturing to retail. I am thrilled to announce my endorsement by this important advocate for workers’ rights in Minnesota. Together, we can take steps to address the needs of workers impacted by COVID-19 to ensure that their rights are prioritized as the economy recovers. 

I am honored to have received the endorsement of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE). MAPE has long advocated in the State Legislature for policies that impact the common good. As a Representative for House District 41B, I will be a strong partner to MAPE in supporting measures designed to expand the rights and benefits of workers and enhance the quality of life for all Minnesotans.  

“Women Winning is proud to endorse Sandra Feist for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 41B. Sandra’s background as a nationally-recognized immigration attorney and policy advocate positions her to be an effective, vocal leader in the Minnesota Legislature. We know that she will be a champion for policies that build an inclusive and equitable Minnesota.” – Meggie Wittorf, Women Winning Executive Director

The endorsement by the DFL Senior Caucus reflects my commitment to supporting the seniors in my district and in the State of Minnesota. The Senior Caucus provides expertise and advocacy on a wide range of policy priorities around accessibility, housing issues, healthcare affordability, and a constellation of issues that impact seniors’ ability to retire with dignity and security.

I am truly honored by this endorsement and look forward to continuing to learn and listen to the seniors in my district in order to reflect their interests in the legislature. 

The Sierra Club is an historic environmental organization and this endorsement is deeply meaningful to me. I am thrilled at the opportunity to partner with the Sierra Club in the legislature to be a champion for our natural resources.

I am thrilled to receive the endorsement of the Stonewall DFL Caucus. I look forward to working alongside them to advocate for policies that promote LGBTQ equality across the state.

I look forward to collaborating with SMART-TD Minnesota on matters relating to Railroad Labor and Safety, to ensure that employees of the rail lines of Minnesota are supported in their important work.

I first saw the power of MNA’s advocacy in a town hall meeting where nurses, patients and community members spoke as one voice, calling eloquently for ‘patients before profits.’ I am honored and thrilled by the prospect of working alongside MNA once in the legislature to stand strong for nurses, patients, and quality healthcare. 

I’ve been a fan of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota for many years, so it is with great pride that I announce my endorsement by this important organization. I look forward to partnering with NARAL to advanced reproductive freedom in the Legislature.

LiUNA Minnesota & North Dakota’s motto is “Feel the Power.” As Minnesota’s Infrastructure Union, LiUNA shares my values and priorities that are focused on creating family-sustaining jobs, protecting working peoples’ negotiating power, providing affordable healthcare and retirement security, and advancing the larger message that all workers should have the right to prosper and have time to be with their families. I am honored to have received LiUNA’s endorsement and look forward to advocating alongside them for a Minnesota where all workers are treated fairly and live bountiful lives.

The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters represents the interests of its nearly 27,000 members and provides direct training opportunities in carpentry through its Carpenters Training Institute. I had the opportunity to tour the Institute before the pandemic and learn more about NCSRCC’s important advocacy and training opportunities. I am honored by this endorsement and look forward to working alongside NCSRCC to address wage theft, ensure robust prevailing wage rules, and elevating the economic and social condition of all workers.

Three of my grandparents lived very long and full lives. For many years, they were under the constant care of skilled, dedicated and compassionate long-term care professionals. Over time, these professionals became like family because they were such a constant presence in our lives. Because I have personally witnessed the critical importance of long-term care providers to the quality of life of seniors, I’m honored to be endorsed by CARE-PAC, the political action committee for Care Providers of Minnesota. We share a commitment to supporting caregivers and quality care for seniors. I look forward to partnering with this important organization as a legislator.

MARY KUNESH-PODEIN

Current Minnesota State Representative for District 41B

“Brimming with enthusiasm, loaded with incredible professional and life experiences, Sandra Feist brings excellence to our District 41B! I am excited to partner with Sandra to ensure that  our communities continue to have the best resources as we rebuild our great state of Minnesota!” 

MATT ENTENZA

Former House DFL Leader

“Sandra’s commitment to social and economic justice, along with her dedication to preserving and improving education across the board, has long been demonstrated by her experience as an immigration attorney, a mom of two kids in public schools, a board member of the ACLU and through countless volunteer experiences. She will fight for every constituent and will represent the very best values of the district. I am pleased to endorse Sandra for House in 41B.”

ANA POTTRATZ ACOSTA

Assistant Teaching Professor, Mitchell Hamline School of Law

“Over the past ten years, I have had the pleasure of calling Sandra a friend and colleague within the local immigration bar.  Sandra has been a tireless advocate on behalf of immigrant communities and proven track record of leadership as a past chair of the Minnesota Dakotas chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the current chair of the AILA National Media Advocacy Committee.  I am so excited to see how Sandra will apply her talents and strong work ethic, as a legislator, to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.”

JOY REOPELLE ANDERSON

Environmental Attorney and Campaign Chair

“Sandra’s commitment to social and economic justice, along with her dedication to preserving and improving education across the board, has long been demonstrated by her experience as an immigration attorney, a mom of two kids in public schools, a board member of the ACLU and through countless volunteer experiences. She will fight for every constituent and will represent the very best values of the district. I am pleased to endorse Sandra for House in 41B.”

LINDSEY BEAULIEU

Resident of House District 41B

“I’ve known Sandra as a fellow school mom since our daughters were in kindergarten together three years ago. In that time, we’ve become friends as our daughters’ friendship has grown. One of the ways that we can know the character of a parent is through the values they instill in their children, and I have been truly touched by the level of empathy and warmth that Sandra’s daughter has shown in her friendship with my daughter, who has special needs. As I’ve gotten to know Sandra, I’ve seen that these qualities are mirrored in mother and daughter, and that Sandra has a deep passion for children, and for our public schools. When Sandra says that the schools are her number one priority, she means it. I trust that she would go to the legislature and fight for more funding for special education that our schools desperately need, and that she would work every day to ensure that our public schools meet the needs of every child in the district and the state.” 

MAYA SALAH

Employment/Immigration Attorney

“I first met Sandra many years ago when we both served on the Minnesota Women Lawyers Public Policy Advocacy Committee. Since then, we have become colleagues in immigration law, and I consider her to be a mentor and a close friend. I have personally witnessed Sandra’s passionate advocacy around immigrants rights through her many leadership roles in the community both in Minnesota and nationally. Most impressive to me is the amount of energy Sandra dedicates to legislative advocacy. Whether she’s being interviewed by National Public Radio as an immigration expert on the new “wealth test” for green cards, or strategizing with the national American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) on how to activate 15,000 members nationwide around an emerging bill in Congress, or writing her pithy, thoughtful blog posts for AILA’s national membership – she is always full of optimism around the democratic process and the power of the people to speak up with one voice to make a difference. We need that type of energetic, inspired leadership in public office.” 

JOHN MEDEIROS

Immigration Attorney and
Partner at Myers Thompson Medeiros

“Sandra Feist is a true leader! She served as the Chair of the Minnesota-Dakotas chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, after serving as Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer three years prior. Her top priority as Chapter Chair was advocacy efforts. She led our chapter in a series of effective advocacy efforts, including direct lobbying for legislative actions to benefit immigrant communities. Under her leadership our chapter met with then-Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, as well as Minnesota Representatives Keith Ellison and Tim Walz (now the governor of Minnesota), and with Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom. She was a fierce leader for our chapter, mobilizing AILA members to respond quickly when Congress attempted to pass several anti-immigration measures, all the while maintaining a sense of professionalism, clarity, and perseverance for which she is known.”