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Democrat Otto picks Baber as running mate

State Auditor Rebecca Otto has picked human rights advocate Zarina Baber as her running mate in the race for governor.
Rebecca Otto introduces Zarina Baber to the media

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Longtime human rights activist Zarina Baber has joined State Auditor Rebecca Otto's ticket in the governor's race.

Baber, an information technology professional, would be the first Muslim to run for the office of Lieutenant Governor in Minnesota.

"At a time when President Trump is degrading and marginalizing people of color, women, and immigrants, we must include voices of people who have been excluded," Otto told reporters.

Baber's political experience dates back to her days as volunteer in the Paul Wellstone campaign. In fact, she hosted a fundraiser for Wellstone just two weeks before he died in a plane crash in 2002, along with seven others.

"One of my top priorities is health care, and I know from the work I've done that we must move to a single payer health care system," Baber remarked.

"I can't wait to work with Rebecca and the legislature to reinvent our systems, bring single payer to fruition, and renew Minnesota."

Baber grew up in India and immigrated to the US in 1976. She is a founding member of the National Democratic Muslim Caucus, and is currently that group's vice president.

Otto is one of the top contenders for the DFL endorsement at the state convention in Rochester June 3, along with Congressman Tim Walz and Rep. Erin Murphy.

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