Jeff Blodgett has over 25 years experience in community organizing and political management.

In addition to his leadership of Wellstone Action, Jeff also trains, teaches, and writes extensively on political skills, public management, and leadership. Jeff studied with Paul Wellstone at Carleton College and began his career as a community organizer, working with hard-pressed family farmers during the 1980s farm crisis. He later spent 13 years as a senior aide, advisor, and campaign manager to the late Senator (1989-2002), managing all three of his election campaigns, including the hard-fought 2002 race that was tragically cut short by a plane crash.

Jeff has served in key positions in dozens of other campaigns, including a post as Senior Advisor for Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar's 2006 race, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Senior Advisor for the 2004 Kerry Coordinated Campaign in Minnesota. A 1983 graduate of Carleton College, he earned his Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in 1998.

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Governor Scott Walker--A shining example of how NOT to lead

Wellstone Action's work is all about helping new waves of progressive leaders-leaders who reflect our values--win elected office and start turning this country back around.

Posted on May 10, 2011 - 3:37pm by Jeff Blodgett

Opportunity knocks as the conservatives start to overreach

Last month I wrote about the 2010 legislative and governor takeovers in many states by conservative forces. They've wasted no time pushing their ideologically extreme agenda. Count on the forces to overreach, as they've already begun to, and invite a backlash by a public that does not buy in to their radical agenda.

Posted on February 28, 2011 - 3:39pm by Jeff Blodgett

Readying the movement for 2012

I've been looking closer at the results of the 2010 elections, especially at the state legislative level.

Posted on February 3, 2011 - 9:55am by Jeff Blodgett

New Year, new leadership at Wellstone Action

Each New Year brings the chance for renewal, opportunity, and positive change. It is in this spirit I am writing with exciting news for Wellstone Action and myself. Starting this month, my role at Wellstone Action will be changing from Executive Director to Founding Director.

Posted on January 5, 2011 - 2:21pm by Jeff Blodgett

How do we deal with billionaire right-wing funders? Match them!

The conservative movement is significantly upping its investment in building the skills of activists and candidates. This is a clarion call to the progressive movement to match the other side's commitment to building leaders!

Posted on September 10, 2010 - 9:24am by Jeff Blodgett

Can Recycling Save the Progressive Movement?

As progressives, we love to recycle. But when it comes to creating change, the dominant wisdom used to be downright wasteful. Check out our 2009 Annual Report to learn more!

Posted on July 27, 2010 - 11:31am by Jeff Blodgett

Think Three Years.

While we fight to not lose ground in this next election, we have to keep our eyes and plans on the 2011-2012 legislative cycle and off-year elections, in addition to a Presidential re-election year and another chance to surge forward. Are we ready?

Posted on June 15, 2010 - 11:48am by Jeff Blodgett

Moving the Pieces Around the Board

Top conservative leaders are putting in place the key elements of a strong political movement, and getting donors to cough up over 70 million dollars to make sure they are successful.

Posted on May 14, 2010 - 9:34am by Jeff Blodgett

New Poll on Distrust of Government Another Reason We Need Our Own Candidates

by Jeff Blodgett

Posted on April 20, 2010 - 10:59am by Jeff Blodgett

Keeping your promises and standing for something is good politics.

Jeff Blodgett offers a lesson from health care reform.

Posted on March 31, 2010 - 2:59pm by Jeff Blodgett

3 Lessons for Progressives from Massachusetts

Here's what we can really take away from the race.

Posted on January 20, 2010 - 11:44am by Jeff Blodgett

As Conservative Movement Splinters, Progressives Must Organize

A poll indicates "Tea Party" supporters now outnumber supporters of the GOP. What does this mean for progressives?

Posted on December 9, 2009 - 1:27pm by Jeff Blodgett

All of a Sudden, the Right is on the Rise

It's now pretty clear that an emboldened and well-funded conservative movement has momentum going into 2010.

Posted on November 10, 2009 - 10:56am by Jeff Blodgett

Advocacy Organizations Winning in the Electoral Arena

A must-read case study.

Posted on September 23, 2009 - 12:23pm by Jeff Blodgett

Obama, Wellstone, and the Movement to End Nuclear Weapons.

The announcement of a nuclear arms control treaty was the result of movement building.

Posted on July 13, 2009 - 1:06pm by Jeff Blodgett

Jeff Blodgett: Four Lessons from Barack Obama's Campaign for Future Candidates

A good question to ask now is - what can future progressive candidates learn from Barack Obama's candidacy and Presidential campaign that can help them win elections too? There are at least four important lessons for any candidate no matter what the seat.

Posted on January 15, 2009 - 2:27pm by Jeff Blodgett

Block by block, brick by brick

Obama has helped to usher in a new era in politics with a new mandate for change. But he also brings with him into office a new American ethos for citizenship and service. That spirit reminds me, perhaps unsurprisingly, of the work of community organizers.

Posted on November 20, 2008 - 3:04pm by Jeff Blodgett

Message to Graduates

Last year, I was honored to accept the Distinguished Minnesotan Award given posthumomously to Paul and Sheila Wellstone at the Bemidji State University Commencement. As graduation time rolls around again, here are some thoughts on engaging in politics and public life.

Posted on May 23, 2008 - 9:23am by Jeff Blodgett

Community Organizing in the Presidential Campaign

At Wellstone Action! we're always looking for examples of candidates who have tried to bring community organizing tactics to their campaigns. Nowadays, the Obama Presidential Campaign is perhaps the best example. Obama has made an unprecedented investment in on-the-ground organization, and has in the process cultivated well-trained and highly motivated volunteers. A number of articles have recently examined this, and we've compiled several excerpts for your convenience.

Posted on May 16, 2008 - 7:26am by Jeff Blodgett

When Wellstone Action Goes to the White House

"Field organizing" is the new buzz word in this year's presidential campaigns. Pundits and campaign analysts who are used to talking about which candidates are raising the most money, securing the most endorsements, getting the highest poll numbers, and airing the cleverest TV ads, are suddenly talking about who has the best field operation.

Posted on April 24, 2008 - 12:47pm by Jeff Blodgett