Mark Ritchie (politician)

Mark Ritchie (born 1951) is the current DFL-endorsed candidate for Minnesota Secretary of State. Mark Ritchie grew up in Iowa, and he graduated from Iowa State University in 1971. He and his wife, Nancy Gaschott, have lived in Minneapolis for 24 years. For the past 20 years, he served as the president of the Minneapolis-based Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, a non-profit organization working with businesses, churches, farm organizations, and other civic groups to foster long-term sustainability for Minnesota’s rural communities.

Two years ago Mark was asked to take a leave of absence from the Institute in order to lead National Voice, a new national coalition of over 1000 non-partisan organizations from across the country including church, business, and community organizations. National Voice included over 400 Minnesota organizations that formed the Minnesota Participation Project. The national media campaign, called "NOVEMBER 2," and these organizations helped voters find new ways to get involved in the elections. They registered and turned out over 5 million new voters nationwide, making National Voice one of the largest non-partisan voter mobilizations in history.

Ritchie's DFL Primary opponent has endorsed the Republican candidate for Secretary of State saying: "In my opinion, Mary's DFL opponent doesn't have the qualifications or character to serve as secretary of state."

Ritchie is running against incumbant Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer

External links

• Campaign website
• Minnesota Secretary of State
• DFL Secretary of State Candidate Endorses GOP Incumbent(Online source for DFL Primary opponent endorsement)