Senator Kelly Morrison Receives DFL Endorsement in MN-03

Morrison received unanimous support and was endorsed by acclimation

THIRD DISTRICT – State Senator Kelly Morrison (DFL-SD45) today received the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) endorsement in Minnesota’s Third Congressional District. Morrison received unanimous support and was endorsed by acclimation.

Morrison has built a reputation as one of the most effective lawmakers in the Minnesota legislature, working with Democrats and Republicans to pass more than 80 bills in just five years. Morrison, an OB-GYN, led the effort to pass legislation protecting abortion rights in Minnesota, and took on Big Pharma to lower the cost of prescription drugs. 

If elected, Morrison would be the only pro-choice OB-GYN in Congress. 

“I’ve spent most of my career as a doctor – not a politician,” Morrison said. “I know what it’s like to see my patients struggle to afford the medications they need, so I took on Big Pharma and lowered prescription drug costs. I know how important it is that women – not politicians – are able to make their own health care decisions, so I led the effort to protect abortion rights in Minnesota. I’m proud to be the DFL’s endorsed candidate for Congress in the Third Congressional District, and it’s clear that Democrats are united and ready to win in November.”

In addition to receiving the DFL’s endorsement, Morrison has been endorsed by more than 50 leaders and organizations in MN-03 and across the state.

More about Kelly

As a physician who has been practicing in Minnesota for over 20 years, State Senator Kelly Morrison has dedicated her life to helping people. Her husband, John Willoughby, is a former Army Ranger, and their family has always valued service above all. 

Kelly first ran for office in 2018 after Donald Trump was elected, because she was concerned about the future of our state and wanted to be a voice of reason. She was elected to the Minnesota House and then the Minnesota Senate after winning tough races in districts that were previously held by Republicans, and she did it without taking any corporate PAC or lobbyist money.

In the Minnesota legislature, Kelly developed a proven track record of working across the aisle to get things done – she passed over 80 bills in just 5 years, more than almost every other legislator. 

As an OB-GYN, Kelly led the fight to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. She knows what it’s like to see her patients struggle to afford the medications they need, so she took on the big pharmaceutical companies and passed legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

And as a mom, Kelly is focused on keeping our kids safe and healthy and has championed efforts to combat gun violence, take on the opioid crisis, strengthen mental health support in schools, fight climate change, and protect our lakes and rivers.

Kelly puts her constituents and their priorities first. She has fought for legislation to strengthen our infrastructure in the Third District, provide resources for our veterans, address racial and geographic disparities in maternal health, improve early childhood education, and support our seniors and caregivers.

Kelly has received numerous awards for her work, including the Paul Wellstone Advocacy Award from the Minnesota Psychiatric Society, the Children’s Health Hero Award from the Minnesota Children’s Hospital, the Legislator of the Year Award from the Minnesota Psychological Association, and was named the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)’s Legislator of the Year.

Kelly is a 6th-generation Minnesotan who has deep roots in the state and the MN-03 community. Kelly and John live in Deephaven and have three children and two (very good) dogs.