Ben Caswell
@bencaswell.bsky.social
640 followers 400 following 220 posts
Minneapolis union and campaign guy. Politics is local, be involved. Free 🇵🇸!! He/him
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Also please spread this gigantic list of trans-friendly resources in the twin cities!!!

docs.google.com/document/u/0...
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Our team is celebrating with joy! We are excited to share that we have received Congresswoman @ilhanmn.bsky.social endorsement. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has fiercely fought to bring change to Minnesotans by securing funds, bringing our voices back to the capitol, & fighting against income inequality
A graphic of Congresswomen Ilhan Omar endorsing candidate Kay Carvajal Moran for Minneapolis Park Board District 5. 

Congresswomen Omar said "I'm thrilled to endorse Kay Carvajal Moran for Minneapolis Park Board District 5. She is deeply rooted in community, who understands the value and importance of building and maintaining relationships with residents, stakeholders, and public servants alike. Her commitment to climate resilience, youth programming, and our park workers is in alignment with my values, and those of district 5.”
Reposted by Ben Caswell
you have to hunt a bit for the results (though delivered through a nice infographic) so a partial list of the brands that tested low: Optimum Nutrition (whey, not the mass gainer) Owyn, Transparent Labs
my latest investigation for @consumerreports.org is based on months of reporting and 60+ lab tests of leading protein supplements

we found that most protein powders and shakes have more lead in one serving than our experts say is safe to have in a day (🧵)

www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein...
Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer Reports
CR tests of 23 popular protein powders and shakes found that most contain high levels of lead.
www.consumerreports.org
Reposted by Ben Caswell
District 5 is comprised of Ward 8, Ward 9, Ward 11, and Ward 12.

This endorsement is pretty huge.
I’m honored to have received the endorsement of Council Member @emilykoskimpls.bsky.social! It was a pleasure to connect with her and lear from her collaborative approach to leadership.
A graphic of CM Emily Koski endorsing Kay Carvajal! CM Koski said "I am excited to endorse Kay for Parks. A youth worker, union member, and community advocate.
Our shared values around supporting youth, expanding extracurricular activities, creating third spaces, and advancing workers' rights are what our district deserves. I look forward to her continued work in building a stronger and more inclusive”
Reposted by Ben Caswell
I’m honored to have received the endorsement of Council Member @emilykoskimpls.bsky.social! It was a pleasure to connect with her and lear from her collaborative approach to leadership.
A graphic of CM Emily Koski endorsing Kay Carvajal! CM Koski said "I am excited to endorse Kay for Parks. A youth worker, union member, and community advocate.
Our shared values around supporting youth, expanding extracurricular activities, creating third spaces, and advancing workers' rights are what our district deserves. I look forward to her continued work in building a stronger and more inclusive”
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day! We started our morning in community and ceremony ❤️

We were at Bde Maka Ska! We are here and we are resilient. We are grateful to the land, water, and all life. We are grateful for our Native leaders and elders for your wisdom ✊🏽
www.instagram.com/reel/DPwX3gv...
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www.instagram.com
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I’m so excited to have my Congresswoman and friend, @ilhanmn.bsky.social, on board with my candidacy for Mayor! She fights hard for the working people of Minneapolis. As Mayor, I’ll partner with leaders like her to build an affordable city that's accountable to us. secure.actblue.com/donate/fateh...
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Today our team held the final session of the Monarca Yoga fundraiser series🦋☀️🍁We are deeply grateful to our beautiful instructors Angelica and Kelly for creating a space for us to reconnect with ourselves and Mother Nature 🧘🏽‍♀️

Here are a few highlights of this past week 👇🏽
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wishing a very happy birthday to jason chavez, who is such a fierce fighter for his community and a genuine, kind, funny person. welcome to your 30s. ward 9 and this city is so lucky to have you ❤️❤️❤️

@jchavezmpls.bsky.social
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It is with great joy to have the support of State Representative Samantha Sencer-Mura! I am excited to collaborate and to build together for our youth and families.
A graphic of Rep. Sencer-Mura endorsing Kay 
"Kay will bring much needed energy and vision to the park board. I'm excited by her background in youth work and her passion for bringing youth voice to the table.
With her leadership, we can work together to make sure kids and families feel welcome and cared for by our parks system."
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It is with much pride to announce that I have received the endorsement of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators (MFE), Local 59! As a former student of the Minneapolis Public Schools, I am honored to have the support of our incredible educators.
A picture of Kay Carvajal Moran being endorsed by Minneapolis Federation of Educators Local 59.
“tl:dr I would rank @kayforparks.bsky.social #1, Colton Baldus #2”

100% agree!!! ❤️
tl; dr I would rank Kay Carvajal Moran #1, Colton Baldus #2.

Over on the post about the At-Large race I provided a whole lot of backstory on the last four years of the Park Board, and I don't want to just C&P that whole thing over because there's a lot. For the people who don't want to click over, here's a minimalist "why I'm super annoyed with the current Park Board, and why I want candidates who will do different things" summary:

• Current Park Board turned down a free park in favor of keeping parking and pretended this was about fire safety.
• Current Park Board oversaw a strike and most of the board failed to intervene.
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Pritzker is also furious: “Should National Governors Association leadership choose to remain silent, Illinois will have no choice but to withdraw from the organization.”
Gov. JB Pritzker’s letter to the National Governors Association
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Claim: 10 cars rammed ICE
Truth: No cars rammed ICE

Claim: She boxed ICE in
Truth: ICE boxed her in

Claim: She shot a rifle at ICE
Truth: She did not have a rifle

Claim: ICE returned fire
Truth: Only ICE fired

Claim: She drove herself to the hospital
Truth: Paramedics found her
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It is with much joy to announce that I have received the endorsement of AFSCME Council 5! This endorsement is significant to me, as they are my union representing me.
A picture of Kay Carvajal Moran being endorsed by AFSCME Council 5.
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Last week, I let you all know that our advance notice of sale for commercial properties ordinance passed to specifically help our Cultural Corridors, North Mpls, & areas near the University. 

B/c it protects tenants & small biz owners over corporate greed, Mayor Frey vetoed this ordinance. 1/
A letter from Mayor Frey vetoing our ordinance.

October 1, 2025
Minneapolis City Council
350 South 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Council President Payne, Council Vice-President Chughtai, and Members of the City Council:
This letter is to inform you that I have vetoed Council Action No. 2025-043 and No. 2025-044.

I appreciate the author's attempt to address the need to diversify ownership of commercial spaces. It is our responsibility to do everything possible to rejuvenate commercial areas and business corridors and to help our city continue to rebound post-COVID-19. Unfortunately, this proposed ordinance would do the opposite. It would inhibit the very revitalization we want to see.

Requiring advance notice of sale for commercial properties creates unnecessary barriers for would-be buyers who want to revitalize vacant space, while offering no real benefit to commercial tenants, who already have options to choose from. Additionally, this proposal is harmful to residential taxpayers. At a time when commercial property valuations are declining, the ordinance would further devalue commercial space, leaving residents on the hook to cover the difference.

The ordinance would also create numerous conflicts with existing lease and operating agreements, mortgage restrictions, and purchase options— adding confusion to the marketplace and slowing down the revival we are working to achieve. Any potential upsides have not been supported by evidence.

An advance notice of sale does not inherently increase opportunities for purchase, because it does not expand tenants' ability to buy commercial property. It is unrealistic to expect a tenant who has difficulty paying rent to be in a position to purchase a building.
Rather than enacting policies that slow growth, we need to focus on practices that fill our vacant storefronts and create a healthy business environment.


Yours Truly,
layor Jacob Frey
City of Minneapolis
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They’re offering $50K signing bonuses and student debt relief for…

Teachers? No.

Nurses? No.

Fire fighters? Nope.

ICE agents. For f’ing ICE Agents.
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Today Mayor Frey vetoed the Commercial Advance Notice of Sale Ordinance. This policy was in response to concerns about displacement and gentrification. Unsurprisingly, Frey chose to maintain status quo rather than support a community-centered policy.
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Join us!! Purchase your $15 tickets through act blue. We hope to see you there!

secure.actblue.com/donate/neigh...
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Join us for Yoga at the Falls!🌳🧘‍♀️🦋
Support the Kay for Parks campaign this Sunday, October 5th, from 3:30-4:30 PM at Minnehaha Falls for a special yoga fundraiser.
A picture of a flyer of the Monarca Yoga fundraiser which says “Join Kay For Parks in this yoga tundraiser honoring the cycle of life of the butterfly through slow movement, deep breathing, and nourishment. Beginner friendly mats will be available. **Please RSVP in advance by purchasing your $15 ticket using the QR code included. 

Sunday Oct 5th at 3:30pm at Minnehaha Falls”
Reposted by Ben Caswell
Engaging our Minneapolis renters with team @aurinmpls.bsky.social and team @michaelforparks.bsky.social!

We continue to have meaningful conversations regarding our local elections!

Shout out to our beautiful team for showing up and supporting with door knocking. Pic of a cool mat we saw today!
A picture of our volunteers before an Apt door knock. A picture of a cool galaxy mat!
Reposted by Ben Caswell
It was great to hear the breakdowns of all the various park board races on this episode of Mill City Hall. I definitely enjoyed listening. My only quibble- I’m nonbinary and use they/them pronouns.

millcityhall.com/episodes/202...
Mill City Hall: Big Change Ahead for the Park Board, and the BET Has Real Policy Disputes?
millcityhall.com
Reposted by Ben Caswell
someone said on twitter you can't be an open republican and work in minneapolis politics but you actually can as long as it's on the elizabeth shaffer campaign. she featured the deputy chair of the MN GOP CD5 in her kickoff video! he doorknocked and campaigned for her! his name is mitch rossow!
why would the MN GOP CD5 deputy chair be at an event for a DFL endorsed candidate?

this is mitch rossow pictured in the video shared from elizabeth shaffer’s field kickoff today
Reposted by Ben Caswell
why would the MN GOP CD5 deputy chair be at an event for a DFL endorsed candidate?

this is mitch rossow pictured in the video shared from elizabeth shaffer’s field kickoff today