Priscilla Lord Faris to Seek U.S. Senate Nomination in Minnesota DFL Primary Election

Business Wire,  July 15, 2008  

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Daughter of Miles Lord and Veteran DFL'er Seeks to Boost Chances of Defeating Norm Coleman by Focusing Debate on Issues Critical to All Americans

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Priscilla Lord Faris - a fourth-generation Minnesotan whose family has deep roots in local, state and national politics and DFL causes - announced she has filed as a candidate in September's primary election for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Norm Coleman.

Lord Faris will seek the DFL Party's nomination on Sept. 9 against Al Franken, whose early lead against Coleman has evaporated in recent polls. The winner will advance to the general election on Nov. 4.

"I am concerned that the Franken campaign has squandered a lead and fallen behind in the polls even as Barack Obama has opened up a wide double-digit lead," Lord Faris said. She praised Franken for his two-year commitment to the campaign and his ability to raise large sums of money for other DFL candidates as well as his own campaign but questioned his electability given the downward movement of his campaign. She cited a recent poll that stated had Jesse Ventura entered the race, he and Franken would have been neck-and-neck, as further evidence of the weakness in the Franken campaign.

"Make no mistake: I am in this race to win. My candidacy is 100 percent aimed at replacing Norm Coleman this November with a U.S. senator whose legislative and policy positions are consistent with the views and priorities of most Minnesotans, and not just a rubber stamp for the Bush-Cheney agenda that most Minnesotans oppose," said Lord Faris.

"This Senate seat is not just one vote. It is potentially the 60th vote in the Senate which can break the gridlock and help get us back on the right track. With President Obama and 60 Democratic votes we can end the war in Iraq and invest in jobs, infrastructure, education and health care. These are the urgent needs that the Bush-Cheney-Coleman team chooses to ignore," Lord Faris stated.

Lord Faris emphasized that Franken was right on most issues but said she shared the concern of many other DFL'ers that the campaign had failed to connect with Minnesotans.

A native of Minnesota, Priscilla Lord Faris is the daughter of former Minnesota Attorney General Miles Lord, who later served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota and Federal District Court Judge, and Maxine Lord. Her younger brother, the late Jim Lord, was elected to the Minnesota Senate and later served two terms as a DFL State Treasurer.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota and Hamline School of Law, Lord Faris cut her political teeth on her father's and brother's campaigns and as a staff member with the late Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey. She also was elected to serve as a member of the Sunfish Lake City Council.

She worked as a special education teacher and, as a small business owner, ran an investment real estate company before opening her own law firm in 1993, specializing in representing hundreds of Minnesotans in need of legal representation. She stated, "My work representing extraordinary people of Minnesota has given me great insight into the concerns, and struggles of Minnesotans."

A mother of three (adult daughters Maggie and Emma), Lord Faris spent two years lobbying for MADD and helped to write and pass "Social Host" legislation that helps keep alcohol from underage users after her teenage son was killed by a drunk driver.

She also served two years on the staff of Young Life (a Christian organization for teens) in Washington, D.C.

www.PriscillaLordFarisforSenate.com

Priscilla Lord Faris

332 Minnesota St, Suite W3080

St. Paul, MN 55101

651-641-1500

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