Some of the state's top elected DFL officials who conducted multimillion-dollar campaigns owe thousands of dollars in unpaid dues to the state party that helped elect them.
In a July memo, DFL State Party Chairman Brian Melendez admonished the officeholders, complaining that a party funding arm, the United Democratic Fund (UDF), is about to run out of money.
The internal memo includes a spreadsheet documenting unpaid dues. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who pays $25,000 a year in dues, owes $40,000. Fifth District Rep. Keith Ellison, who pays $15,000 a year in dues, owes $35,000. Recently elected U.S. Sen. Al Franken owes $25,000.
U.S. Reps. Collin Peterson and James Oberstar, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and the Minnesota Senate Caucus are the only entities paid up through mid-July, according to the spreadsheet attached to Melendez's memo.
State officials say the bad economy, changes in the state law reimbursing campaign contributions, and the natural election cycle have forced them to twist arms among contributors -- including their own elected officials.
In his memo, Melendez complained to the delinquent officeholders about the need for them to catch up on dues to the UDF, a fund within the party that helps pay for basic party campaigns and functions.
"The United Democratic Fund is about to run out of money because of unpaid dues," Melendez said. "Unfortunately, we can't keep spending more than we are collecting."
The memo notes that the fund spent more than $150,000 in salaries and benefits through mid-July, but had collected only $63,000 in dues.
"We have reached the point where we need prompt payment in order to keep the program running," Melendez warned in the memo.
Andy O'Leary, the party's executive director, said the fund is solvent because the party has picked up the tab.
Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636
