FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2025
Contact: Parrish for Governor Campaign
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (612) 460-1717
Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026, Condemns DNC Chair Ken Martin and MNDFL for Morally Fraudulent Rhetoric
Minneapolis, MN – Phillip C. Parrish, a dedicated servant leader and candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, today issued a sharp rebuke of DNC Chair Ken Martin and the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (MNDFL) for their disingenuous and morally bankrupt defense of an alleged wife beater and MS-13 gang member. Parrish’s statement comes in response to Martin’s recent comment on Fox News, where he dismissed concerns over the “bad optics” of Democrats supporting a dangerous individual, stating, “No, I don’t think the optics are bad.”
“This is a new low, even for the MNDFL,” said Parrish. “Ken Martin’s cavalier dismissal of the serious allegations tied to an MS-13 gang member and alleged domestic abuser is not just tone-deaf—it’s a betrayal of the hardworking Minnesota taxpayers who deserve better. We are tired of this unhealthy and inappropriate rhetoric that exploits the goodwill of our citizens while ignoring the real threats to our communities.”
Parrish pointed to the Trump Administration’s recent operation in March 2025, which successfully apprehended a key MS-13 leader in Virginia, as an example of what real leadership looks like when it comes to tackling dangerous gangs. “While the federal government is taking decisive action to protect our citizens, Ken Martin and the MNDFL are busy making excuses for criminals,” Parrish noted. “This is not leadership—it’s moral fraud.”
The MNDFL, under Martin’s leadership since 2011, has a long history of pushing progressive policies that Parrish argues have eroded public safety in Minnesota. Dating back to the Farmer-Labor Party merger in 1944, the DFL’s legacy has increasingly shifted toward reckless tolerance of crime, exemplified by recent legislative efforts to eliminate mandatory sentences for felony gun possession, ban traffic stops for minor offenses, and limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. “These policies don’t make our communities safer—they put them at risk,” Parrish stated. “Minnesotans deserve a governor who will prioritize their safety and values, not one who panders to a radical agenda.”
Parrish’s campaign is built on a promise to rebuild Minnesota on strong intellectual and moral foundations. As outlined on his campaign website, he is committed to streamlining state and local governance, cutting through wasteful bureaucracies, and ensuring that Minnesota exceeds the expectations of its citizens. “The people of Minnesota are exhausted by the MNDFL’s empty promises and dangerous rhetoric,” Parrish said. “It’s time for a governor who listens, acts with integrity, and puts Minnesotans first—not political posturing.”
Phillip C. Parrish calls on Ken Martin and the MNDFL to retract their statements and apologize to the people of Minnesota for their failure to uphold the values of safety, accountability, and moral clarity. “We cannot afford another year of this failed leadership,” Parrish concluded. “In 2026, Minnesotans will have the chance to demand better—and I will be there to deliver it.”
For more information about Phillip C. Parrish’s campaign for Governor of Minnesota, visit parrish4mn.com.
About Phillip C. Parrish
Phillip C. Parrish is a candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, running on a platform of servant leadership, community engagement, and ending fraud and waste in state governance. With a commitment to integrity and dedication, Parrish aims to rebuild Minnesota on strong intellectual and moral principles, ensuring a government that serves its people with transparency and accountability.
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