Joe Biden to keynote Minnesota DFL Party's virtual convention

The probable Democrat nominee can make an appeal directly to activists in a state that President Donald Trump is targeting this fall.

May 27, 2020 at 4:47AM
FILE - In this March 9, 2020, file photo Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit. Now that he's the presumptive Democratic nominee, Biden is sharpening his tone, still pitching consensus but touting a "bold agenda" aimed at mollifying progressives who remain skeptical he will deliver enough on health care, student loan debts and the climate crisis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Former Vice President Joe Biden in Detroit in March. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will be the keynote speaker at the Minnesota DFL Party's virtual convention on Sunday, making an appeal directly to activists in a state that President Donald Trump is targeting this fall.

Biden's appearance, which will be streamed on YouTube and Facebook, comes on the heels of a new Minnesota Poll showing the former vice president with a slight edge over Trump.

But Trump's campaign is already investing resources and time in Minnesota, a state he nearly won four years ago. DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin said Trump's "failed response" to the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded state Democrats of the true stakes of the November election. "Our party is taking nothing for granted."

Biden pulled off a surprise victory in Minnesota's March 3 Democratic primary election, riding momentum from the endorsement of home-state Sen. Amy Klobuchar to beat Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders with more than 38% support.

Biden's address will cap a weekend of party building and campaign training in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic. The party will also be picking delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, which is now scheduled in August. The party moved its state convention online in response to the pandemic.

Briana Bierschbach • 651-925-5042

Twitter: @bbierschbach

about the writer

about the writer

Briana Bierschbach

Reporter

Briana Bierschbach is a politics and government reporter for the Star Tribune.

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