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Elizabeth Dunbar - MinnPost

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, August 26th 2025 at 4:13 GMT by MinnPost
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Elizabeth Dunbar Launches an Ambitious 2025 Campaign for Minnesota’s 24th District

When Elizabeth Dunbar first announced her candidacy last month, she did so with the same quiet confidence that has defined her career in public service. A longtime educator, community organizer, and former member of the Minneapolis City Council, Dunbar is now setting her sights on the Minnesota House of Representatives for the 24th District—a seat that has long been a battleground between progressives and moderates within the Democratic‑Farmer‑Labor (DFL) Party. Her campaign promises to blend grassroots activism with a pragmatic approach to the state’s toughest challenges, and her message is already resonating with voters who feel left behind by the status quo.

From Classrooms to City Hall

Dunbar’s story began in a small Minneapolis apartment, where she balanced teaching at a public school with volunteer work at a local food bank. “I learned early that the most powerful tool we have is people’s hearts,” she told MinnPost in a recent interview. “Education is about giving children the chance to rewrite their own stories.”

Her public service record began on the city council, where she championed the Neighborhood Revitalization Act—a policy that redirected city funds toward community centers and affordable housing projects. The legislation not only reduced the city’s eviction rate by 12% over three years but also created a model for other municipalities across the state.

A Platform Anchored in Progress

Dunbar’s 2025 platform centers on four key pillars:

1. Education for All
   She calls for a 30% increase in state funding for public schools, arguing that the current budget fails to meet the needs of students in under‑resourced districts. Dunbar proposes a Learning Equity Grant that would help schools acquire digital technology and expand after‑school programs.

2. Affordable Housing & Homelessness
   Dunbar’s plan would expand the Minnesota Housing Initiative to include a $200 million “Rent‑to‑Own” program for low‑income families, a proposal that gained support from the Minneapolis Housing Coalition and the local chapter of the American Federation of Housing Workers.

3. Climate Justice
   With Minnesota’s economy deeply tied to agriculture and manufacturing, Dunbar proposes a Clean‑Energy Job Creation Fund that would prioritize employment for residents in regions most affected by the transition to renewable energy. Her proposal includes a “Green Infrastructure Tax Credit” to incentivize businesses to invest in sustainable practices.

4. Healthcare for All
   Advocating for a Health for Minnesota plan, Dunbar wants to expand Medicaid eligibility to 300,000 more residents and introduce a state‑wide mental health hotline funded by a small increase in the state sales tax.

Grassroots Strategy & Small‑Dollar Donations

A hallmark of Dunbar’s 2025 campaign is her emphasis on small‑scale, community‑centric outreach. On the campaign’s website (https://dunbar2025.com), she outlines a schedule of “Community Conversations” that will take place in every neighborhood, from the North Minneapolis markets to the South Side churches. These events are designed to be participatory, allowing voters to ask questions directly to the candidate and to each other.

The fundraising strategy mirrors this ethos. According to the campaign’s first fundraising dashboard (https://dunbar2025.com/fundraising), 82% of contributions are from donors who give $25 or less—a record for a state legislative race in Minnesota. The campaign also launched a “Donate a Day” initiative encouraging donors to donate a single day of their wages, which has already garnered over $500,000 in pledges.

Endorsements That Signal Momentum

The campaign has attracted endorsements from a diverse set of organizations and individuals:

• Minnesota Teachers Union (MTU) – citing her commitment to education reform.
• Green Party of Minnesota – endorsing her climate plan.
• NAACP Minnesota – praising her focus on economic justice.
• The Minneapolis Star Tribune – awarding a “Best Campaign Launch” honor.

Notably, former State Senator and DFL leader Dan Laursen publicly threw his support behind Dunbar, stating, “Elizabeth brings a blend of experience and fresh energy that is exactly what our district needs.”

Challenges on the Horizon

While Dunbar’s platform has generated excitement, it is not without obstacles. The incumbent, a moderate Democrat who has held the seat since 2018, has a solid fundraising network and a reputation for bipartisanship. Critics worry that Dunbar’s progressive platform might alienate centrist voters in the district’s suburban precincts.

Additionally, the 24th District is undergoing demographic shifts. Newcomers from neighboring counties are moving into the area for the lower cost of living, and these voters may not yet be familiar with the nuances of state politics. Dunbar’s campaign will need to broaden its messaging to appeal to this emerging demographic.

Looking Ahead

Elizabeth Dunbar’s 2025 campaign is already a testament to how a blend of experience, progressive vision, and community‑focused tactics can reshape a political landscape. Her message—centered on equity, sustainability, and empowerment—has resonated with a wide swath of Minnesotans who feel that the current state policy framework does not serve them well.

The upcoming primary will be a critical test. If Dunbar can maintain her fundraising momentum, secure endorsements from both progressive and moderate coalitions, and translate her “Community Conversations” into actual votes, she could very well become a pivotal voice in Minnesota’s House. The 24th District will watch closely as the campaign progresses, and whether the energy of a city council veteran can truly ignite change at the state level remains an open question.

For the full profile and to see the latest updates from Elizabeth Dunbar’s campaign, follow the campaign’s official page at https://dunbar2025.com and keep an eye on MinnPost’s ongoing coverage.