Duluth Politics

[Kid Cann]

Originally Posted by Threequalseven

Nahhhh.... I see Duluth in a different light. I've lived here for 4 years, and (as much as I hate dichotomies) I would say there are two very distinct groups of people in Duluth:

1.) There's the younger, more liberally oriented crowd. Predominantly in their early 30's, these folks frequent bars like Fitger's Brewhouse and Burrito Union and enjoy gardening, shopping local, etc etc. While I wouldn't say they're very organized, the website Perfect Duluth Day | Duluth MN Blog, Events, News and More is an open blog where they can discuss events and local happenings.

2.) Then there's your old-school economically conservative bunch. These folks are more vocal on the Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota "Area Voices" forums. I would say this group has a tremendous pull on Duluth's local policies. Well established in their late 30s and up, they completely support growing Duluth's economy at any cost. Some of these people even have good intentions, like "yeah, lets go green", but still drive their pick-up truck or SUV to work alone every day.

BOTH groups still seem to hold onto traditional values, however (ie: not moving away from home, lots of churchgoers, everybody owns an automobile, lots of pick-up trucks, etc).

In all, it's a very polarized city if you ask me. At one end, there are groups working towards getting things like sustainable transportation options (bike lanes, more busses, etc). But at the other end, there are people who will do whatever they can to prevent these things from happening. I'm in my early 20s, and I feel like the conservative mindset holds more weight (as the people are older, own more property, hold important jobs in key government positions). If you want to try to change anything in Duluth, good luck!

I agree for the most part. This is how I would do it among 4 groups

1) Young College Aged kids - Since it's a college town, there are large groups of College students, but the area also draws college-aged students not necessarily attending school. These tend to be the 18-24 demographic, usually low-income, liberal and not too involvd in the community

2) Mid twenties, early thirties - This is the lefty group of hikers and Subaru Drivers. Not really into the political scene either, and typically complain that there are no jobs, but also complain when any new developments.

3) Older, duluthians - Almost retirees, people that grew up here, lived here for awhile. Probably live on the east side. Pro-development, pro-change, but will still complain if it gets too close to their beloved East side

4) conservative working class - working class at the mines, docks, or antything like that

[tvdxer]

Originally Posted by newcastle

I would say that the population is socially conservative but fiscally liberal. For instance, I would bet a large portion of the population supports the NRA, is anti-abortion, but pro-union.

The party is called the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).

I agree fully. I knew a kid in high school who was a perfect example of this: he wrote a paper against abortion for one of his senior writing assignments yet was a staunch supporter of Kerry. There are many like him in all age groups in Duluth.

[tvdxer]

Originally Posted by Kid Cann

I agree for the most part. This is how I would do it among 4 groups

1) Young College Aged kids - Since it's a college town, there are large groups of College students, but the area also draws college-aged students not necessarily attending school. These tend to be the 18-24 demographic, usually low-income, liberal and not too involvd in the community

2) Mid twenties, early thirties - This is the lefty group of hikers and Subaru Drivers. Not really into the political scene either, and typically complain that there are no jobs, but also complain when any new developments.

3) Older, duluthians - Almost retirees, people that grew up here, lived here for awhile. Probably live on the east side. Pro-development, pro-change, but will still complain if it gets too close to their beloved East side

4) conservative working class - working class at the mines, docks, or antything like that

That's East Duluth. There seems to be a bias on these forums towards Duluth's Eastside, as if it represents all of Duluth.

[MINresident]

I would agree with the poster who said that its very hard to get things done in Duluth and change things. I feel that part of this is do to the division in Duluth. People have great pride in their communities but it often seems to prevent things from getting done.

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by robbie_rabbit

Thank you all for your replies...I can't say I'm thrilled to hear this. I did my homework on your Congressman (yeesh) but I've always thought of Minnesota as a purple state as opposed to deep blue. Maybe that's naive. I'm writing from Nebraska, where we make no distinction in being "moderate" Republicans and Nancy Pelosi, but I don't mind being out of my comfort zone either.

Let me ask - Is Superior any different, politically and tax-wise (I assume that's common knowledge because of the proximity?)

Superior and Douglas County, WI have super high taxes and, well how should I put this... Superior is like walking back in time in many respects and it's the equivialent of East St. Louis on a smaller scale.

[robbie_rabbit]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by any of this. I've lived all over the country - New York, California, Florida, Ohio, Nebraska - and there's a definite correlation between how "nice" a place is to live (in terms of natural beauty, culture, charm) and how blue it is. That's not a knock on the red places. Nebraska has some of the best, hardworking, honest, decent people I've ever had the pleasure to know, and a government I'm proud of. But it's also nothing but flat land, corn, and dead grass. I knew that relocating to your gorgeous corner of the country would mean dealing with a different political culture. I went to one of the most insanely liberal colleges in America so, whatever.

Well, I guess all I can do is get involved with the local right and try to help their cause.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by robbie_rabbit

Well, I guess all I can do is get involved with the local right and try to help their cause.

That you should. I'd love to see the local conservatives get more traction, especially when it comes to economic development and city finances.

[MN55]

Well, I guess all I can do is get involved with the local right and try to help their cause.

Please do! Duluth needs as many pro-business, pro-growth, pro-development fiscal conservatives as it can get. It's too cool of a city to let rot because the unions and anti-growth NIMBYS drove all the jobs out of town.

On a side not, please support Chip Cravaack for Congress - http://chipcravaack.com/

[Kid Cann]

Originally Posted by MN55

Please do! Duluth needs as many pro-business, pro-growth, pro-development fiscal conservatives as it can get. It's too cool of a city to let rot because the unions and anti-growth NIMBYS drove all the jobs out of town.

On a side not, please support Chip Cravaack for Congress - Chip Cravaack for Congress

touche brother, as an Economic Developer, I can't believe how anit-growth Duluth is...