Tammy Lee in the 5th

Posted at 1:01 PM on April 18, 2006 by Bob Collins (9 Comments)

A business executive with a background in DFL politics has announced she's now an Independence Party candidate for congress in the 5th District.

Tammy Lee of Golden Valley is a vice president of corporate affairs for Mark Travel Corporation. In 1998, she worked as communications director for Skip Humphrey's unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign. Lee says she joined the Independence Party because she believes there's a third way in politics.

Here's her campaign announcement (RealAudio).

Comments (9)

i am so sick and tired of hearing this line from people like this lady and timmy penny about how bad dems r to prolifers. how much better are republicans to pro choicers. ive voted for pro life dems before and will again-i will never vote for a snot-nosed opportunist like you my dear. i grew up in PA-voted for the caseys, jack murtha-a whole bunch of prolife dems. i personally take offense to being called intolerant. oh and one more thing-how the hell does she call usair a success? that is the WORST airline to work for-ask anyone in the industry, usair was always the worst run airline. even nwa is better than them.

Posted by jcb | April 18, 2006 4:00 PM

I find it refreshing that the voters will now have a say in this race and the DFL can't simply cram a candidate down our throat, or force us to ignore our parties on primary day to have a say.

She left the DFL because the DFL is no longer right for Minnesota, to pretend it's about one or even two issues is silly.

Posted by Mike Grimes | April 18, 2006 11:09 PM

she left the DFL because she wanted a shot at winning a lifetime CD seat. thats why she left. if she was upset about the abortion stance or anyother she wouldve left a LONG time ago. these opportunists always announce their frustrations about the party platform on a particular issue when they are leaving the party or announcing their candidacy for one like this lady did. go ahead, make abortion illegal, i dare u tammy lee-what kind of a name is that anyways-do u people think youll stop abortion by criminalizing it. you know-drugs are illegal, too. weve been fighting that war for decades now and you know what, drugs are readily available practically anywhere you go. ive never used drugs but thats not what im using that as an example. i dont believe that people that have abortions or use drugs like they use alcohol should be criminals.

Posted by jcb | April 19, 2006 9:15 AM

Sarah Janacek once said the IP should change its name to the AP, since it stands for Avoid Primary. Is that what you think is happening here?

Posted by Bob Collins | April 19, 2006 9:51 AM

sure, i mean-she has a show once a week on the air america affiliate. ive never heard her once say that the party needs to be more accomadating on the abortion issue. i love the Democratic party-i dont agree with every Democrat all the time, its simply not possible-but i DO take great offense when someone basically says that i-as a pro-choice Democrat-am intolerant of them. yes, i absolutely resent that. and clearly shes doing this for political positioning. and that only disguists me more.

Posted by jcb | April 19, 2006 1:28 PM

Lets take a quick step back here, nobody in the DFL gave a damn about Tammy Lee until yesterday. To suggest that she just now left the party while possibly true is completly baseless.

The Democratic party has a big enough tent to include Tammy Lee, Judi Dutcher ,Tim Penny or Kelly Doran in the fight in September, but come November the tent shrinks.

Tammy Lee wants to run for congress and that election takes place in November. If Tim Penny and Tammy Lee are truly Democrats then why do Democrats worry they might win elections?

Posted by Mike Grimes | April 20, 2006 12:16 AM

Gosh, could it be that T. Lee is simply running a "3rd Party" campaign to benefit the D endorsed candidate? Hmmm.

Posted by Aaron | April 23, 2006 10:16 PM

If voters in this district wish to ensure that we are taken seriously by the House leadership in this voting cycle, and also that some semblance of the Sabo legacy is maintained; we only have one clear choice on Nov 7th, and its not Keith Ellison, or Alan Fine!

Keep in mind we are seeking to fill the shoes of a legislative icon; someone who can command the respect, integrity, and ability to work across both isles to achieve what this district has come to expect. Lets not totally insult Martin Sabo by making a mistake in judgement by voting "Party Line"

Posted by Christopher bryant | October 4, 2006 4:18 PM

Tammy Lee left the DFL and now sounds more democratic than ever. She now pushes for progressive ideas and leaves her Independence Party "lingo" in the dust. Running as hard as she can holding the Sabo and DFL banner high over her head while claiming her affilation to the Independence Party.

When Tammy Lee first started running for the 5th Congressional seat she said she would caucus with the "common sense" caucus. Unwilling to choose the democrats or republicans holding true to her Independence Party ideals.

Now she's watching the polls and milking the anti-republican sentiment. Now she says she'll caucus with the Democrats and she is the "best" candidate to replace Mr. Sabo.

Mr. Sabo was a good and effective legislator, but we need not just a replacement for Mr. Sabo but a true visionary who can help lead our country for a new change.

Tammy Lee promises more of the same old political card tricks. She speaks of her character but changes her affiliations, positions, and fundamental values as the polls tell her the political winds are changing.

She's an opportunist and a political operative - not a true leader, and certainly not what we need in the 5th Congressional District.

Posted by Keesha Gaskins | October 22, 2006 4:20 PM

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