Some of us are here for the first time, the second or third time, or we have lost count. Some of us came here with a candidate in mind, some of us have changed our minds since this morning.  But ​

By FREDERICK MELO | fmelo@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED: March 10, 2018 at 8:10 pm | UPDATED: 

State Rep. John Lesch handily won the endorsement of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party for re-election on Saturday after a single ballot, and his former legislative aide Jay Xiong earned the party endorsement for the House District 67B seat representing St. Paul’s East Side. Assuming they face no significant opposition during the August primary, both men will appear on the ballot this November.
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In and around St. Paul, party delegates gathered Saturday to endorse candidates for state legislative seats and 

Thanks to  everyone who came to the  convention and supported Jay!  Even with a portion of our pro-Jay delegates out at a funeral we were able to win the DFL endorsement.  It took 3 votes -- the first being:

• Slade - 12%
• Stevens - 24%
• Xiong - 52%
• Yang - 12%

After the second vote Slade and Yang were out. The third and final vote was:

• Stevens - 35%
• Xiong - 65%

Stevens made a gracious speech and encouraged his voters to support the DFL endorsed candidate -- Jay Xiong.

Now phase two of our campaign begins!  Check back here or on Facebook to find out what's in store!

Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for fulfilling your civic duty to serve as a delegate or an alternate in this year’s local election.

I am a proud lifelong Saint Paulite asking for YOUR support to be the next DFL-endorsed State Representative for the East Side of Saint Paul.

My story is the story of the East Side. It is the story of our great city’s ever-changing face, a city that has welcomed the Germans, Finns, Lutherans, Catholics, Somali, Oromo, Muslims, Karennis, and Hmong. Forty years ago, my parents fled persecution in war-torn Laos because they stood with America in the fight against communism. When they arrived to Saint Paul, they hoped that one day my siblings and I, born of refugee parents, would one day succeed, achieve the American dream, and give back to the community that opened their arms to us.

That journey was not always easy. After graduating high school, I could not afford to go straight to college. Instead, I worked hard in a factory for two years to save up enough money to enroll at Saint ​

As a St. Paul Public Schools alumnus, as I looked out over the crowd I felt so proud of today's generation of SPPS students -- being bold, loud and clear that we need to act now for safer and stronger schools. The only arming needed is for our teachers, students and families to have the best educational tools to give our children who are our future a world class education. We all know education is the bedrock of our democracy.

Friends and Neighbors,
As most of you heard, our movement is stronger every day. We have been out sharing with neighbors our story and listening to their concerns. We have held community events inviting Eastsiders to have a meal and talk about building a stronger community. We have earned support from delegates and endorsements from our labor union brothers and sisters.

Join us for live music and meet like-minded progressives this Sunday. Free food! Come to our rally with our supporters and hear why we need your help!.

See you then!
Jay Xiong
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