FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bergeron Withdraws from Race in House District 64B

ST. PAUL, MN This morning House staffer and legislative candidate Matthew Bergeron announced he was withdrawing from the campaign in House District 64B citing the growing obligations of his legislative position. The Bergeron for House campaign issued the following statement: It is with mixed emotions that I announce the indefinite suspension of my campaign for the Minnesota House of Representatives in House District 64B. Throughout this campaign I have had the great opportunity to meet and speak with people from all parts of the district and those interactions have, on a daily basis, inspired me and filled me with energy. That being said, there are only so many hours in the day and sometimes we must set aside our own aspirations and do what is best for the common good. A year ago this month, I made a commitment to Speaker Thissen, Majority Leader Murphy and Representatives Liebling and Winkler, as well as the rest of the House DFL Caucus to serve them and the State of Minnesota as we worked to build a better Minnesota. While we made great progress last legislative session, a great deal of work remains to be done. The Health and Human Services Policy Committee has a very ambitious agenda before it as the legislature reconvenes next month and the Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs must complete its final report to the legislature. Perhaps most importantly, we absolutely need to raise the state minimum wage and continue our work to build an economy that works for all Minnesotans. Our legislative priorities and the commitment it takes to see them to fruition do not allow me sufficient time to continue with a competitive campaign. Today the dedication to Minnesota that I had hoped to bring to the legislature as a State Representative compels me suspend my campaign and focus on the legislative work before the committees I currently staff. I wish to thank all those friends, family, neighbors, and proud DFLers who have supported the campaign and, even though it is with a somewhat heavy heart that I withdraw from the race today, I am comforted by the passionate and talented individuals I have campaigned alongside these past weeks. The district and our community will be well served by whoever secures the DFL endorsement next month and I look forward to working with them at the Capitol in the years to come. Bergeron for House bergeronforhouse@gmail.com (763) 516-0664 END

###