Statement from Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota
June 12, 2025
For Immediate Release
Fellow Minnesotans and Republican Party Leadership,
As we gear up for the pivotal 2026 gubernatorial election, I issue an urgent call to all Minnesotans, and especially the leadership of the Republican Party, to stay alert to a serious threat to our democratic process: the potential for nefarious actors to sabotage our campaign communications. These bad actors can target not only our phone numbers but also our email systems, aiming to silence our voices, disrupt our outreach, and undermine our ability to connect with voters.
Phone Number Blacklisting Threats
Malicious individuals or coordinated groups can exploit vulnerabilities in telecom systems by falsely reporting our campaign phone numbers as spam, spoofing our numbers to trigger complaints, or manipulating crowdsourced databases like those used by apps such as Truecaller or Hiya. Such actions could result in our calls being labeled “Scam Likely” or blocked entirely, severely hampering our ability to share our message, mobilize supporters, and engage in the open political discourse that strengthens our state.
Email Compromise Risks
Equally alarming is the threat to our email communications. Nefarious actors can compromise campaign emails through tactics such as:
• Phishing Attacks: Sending fraudulent emails that trick staff or supporters into revealing login credentials or installing malware, allowing hackers to hijack email accounts.
• Spoofing and Impersonation: Forging email headers to mimic our campaign’s email addresses, sending fraudulent messages that lead to spam reports or damage our reputation.
• Spam Flagging: Coordinating mass reports to email providers (e.g., Gmail, Outlook) to falsely label our campaign emails as spam, diverting them to junk folders or blocking them outright.
• Hacking and Data Breaches: Gaining unauthorized access to email accounts to send malicious content, which could trigger spam filters or erode trust among recipients.
These email-based attacks can disrupt voter outreach, misinform supporters, and even compromise sensitive campaign data, posing a direct threat to our electoral process.
Call to Action
To Minnesota Republicans, I implore you to act swiftly to protect our campaign infrastructure:
• Secure Phone Numbers: Register campaign phone numbers with the Free Caller Registry to ensure carriers recognize them as legitimate. Monitor number reputation using services like Caller ID Reputation or Numeracle and report suspicious activity to carriers or the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints.
• Safeguard Email Systems: Implement strong email security measures, including two-factor authentication (2FA), anti-phishing training for staff, and email authentication protocols like DMARC, SPF, and DKIM to prevent spoofing. Regularly monitor email deliverability to detect spam flagging early.
• Adopt Best Practices: For phone calls, limit volumes (e.g., <75 calls/day/number), use verified caller ID, and comply with FCC/FTC rules. For emails, avoid spammy content, maintain clean mailing lists, and respect opt-out requests to maintain a positive sender reputation.
To all Minnesotans, I ask for your vigilance. If you receive suspicious calls, texts, or emails claiming to represent our campaign, verify their authenticity before acting. Report suspicious calls or texts to your carrier or forward texts to 7726 (SPAM). For questionable emails, report them as phishing to your email provider and notify our campaign directly. Your awareness is critical to preserving the integrity of our communications.
The Republican Party must lead by example, fortifying our campaigns against these deceptive tactics. Let us stand united to protect our democracy, ensuring that every call, email, and voice reaches the people of Minnesota unimpeded in 2026.
For Minnesota’s Future,
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor
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