Endorsements: Julie Blaha for State Auditor and Trista MatasCastillo for Ramsey Co Commissioner

SPFT is pleased to endorse Julie Blaha for State Auditor and Trista MatasCastillo for Ramsey County Commissioner.

Julie Blaha is a middle school math teacher from the Anoka-Hennepin district on release to the Minnesota AFL-CIO, serving as Secretary-Treasurer. As an educator, she has a clear understanding of the issues, facing our public schools. As a labor leader, she has a clear track record of fighting for all working people. As a union treasurer, she understands the need for clear, accurate, and accessible financial information, so members can make informed decisions. We believe this skill set makes her uniquely qualified to be state auditor, and she will be a strong ally to help Minnesota build the schools our kids deserve.

Trista MatasCastillo is the principal aide to the District 1 Ramsey County Commissioner. This role has giver her the insight needed to identify how county budgets can directly impact the lives of our students and their families. She is a parent of SPPS students and has supported SPFT as we work to create the schools Saint Paul students deserves. We know that she will be a great partner in creating the schools Saint Paul students deserve and we are excited to support her in her race for Ramsey County Commissioner, District 3.

You can find the questionnaire filled out by these candidates here. The candidates screened with SPFT’s COPE committee at an open public screening on May 5, 2018 and the endorsements were ratified by the  SPFT Executive Board on May 14, 2018. Both offices are up for election this fall.