Senator Goggin responds to libelous Red Wing League of Women Voters accusations

To the editor:

Now that the 2021 regular legislative session has wrapped up I wanted to address a libelous accusation leveled against me and Rep. Steve Drazkowski by the Red Wing League of Women Voters earlier this year. I did not want to give this any attention while focusing on the business of the people I represent, but it does deserve condemnation.

The group wrote a letter effectively calling Rep. Drazkowski and me traitors to our country. It is sickening, partisan hogwash from an organization that purports itself to be nonpartisan.

They’re not. If they were, they would have contacted me ahead of time to talk about the issue rather than blindsiding me in the press with malicious, willful lies.

When you read their criticisms, remember that they are not coming from a place of integrity. They are an extension of the Democrat Party. Take a glance at the legislation supported by the League of Women Voters and the groups they are aligned with, like Growing Democracy MN. You’ll notice an obvious theme: they are all Democrat priorities. Like felon voting, automatic voter registration, and National Popular vote. They support universal health care and driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. They aim to extend mail-in balloting. The list goes on.

They even refer to common sense mainstream reforms, like voter ID, as “discriminatory.” They make little effort to hide their extremism.

Here are the indisputable facts: 

  • A number of Minnesota officials signed a letter asking the Supreme Court to look at whether that action was illegal, given that the Constitution empowers the legislature — and the legislature only — to set election laws.
  • The letter made no claims about the Texas lawsuit or anything happening in any other state. The only thing we asked was for the Supreme Court to investigate the illegal activity that the League of Women Voters and Secretary of State’s office participated in here in Minnesota. 

That’s it. I have never, not once, said the election was stolen. I have never, not once, said there is widespread voter fraud. To refer to the letter I signed as a falsehood or equate us to domestic terrorists is simply partisan disinformation intended to incite and scare the public into thinking we are against free, fair, and secure elections.

If you know me, you know how comical that is. If you don’t, give me a call. I’d be happy to chat and walk you through all of the facts. I took an oath to protect and defend the laws and Constitution of the state of Minnesota and the United States of America. One constituent, Carol Overland, sent me a copy of the 14th amendment as a friendly reminder. I am glad she did and glad that we agree about how important it is to follow the Constitution. I take my oath seriously. I have always been vigilant about following our laws — that includes protecting free and fair elections and making sure that everyone is playing by the same rulebook. 

Lies need to be called out for what they are, and the Red Wing League of Women Voters is lying. 

The only real takeaway from this is that the Red Wing League of Women Voters’ only real mission is furthering a left-wing agenda. They are not a nonpartisan organization as they claim. They are not interested in facts or truth or honesty.

Sincerely,

Mike Goggin

Minnesota State Senator

District 21

Sources:

  1. Ramsey County Civil Action No. 0:20-cv-01205-ECT-TNL. League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund, Vivian Latimer Tanniehill v. Secretary of State Steve Simon. https://campaignlegal.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/2020%2006%2016%20%20Stipulation%20and%20Partial%20Consent%20Judgment%20and%20Decree%20v1.pdf
  2. House File 3429, 5/7/2020. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3429&ssn=0&y=2020
  3. House File 3429, 5/9/2020. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3429&ssn=0&y=2020