Democratic state senator alleges ‘deeply troubling’ fraud in party convention process

A Minnesota state senator recently took to social media to voice her concerns with her party’s caucus and convention process, alleging “deeply troubling incidents” that “undermine the rules of the process.”

Republican Rep. Jim Nash suggested that DFL Sen. Susan Pha’s concerns about delegate residency requirements highlight the need for voter identification laws.

Nash, R-Waconia, posted on X a screenshot of a statement from Pha, DFL-Brooklyn Park, in which she outlined complaints from volunteers, delegates and longtime DFL participants about this year’s DFL caucus and convention process in Senate District 38.

Pha wrote that participants reported “troubling incidents,” including the “recruitment of individuals from outside the district to participate as delegates and instances where candidates and campaign organizers instructed people to list addresses where they do not live in order to qualify as delegates.”

“These kinds of actions undermine the rules of the process and are deeply troubling,” Pha said, adding the convention system “only works when the rules are followed equally and when participants can trust that the process is fair and legitimate.”

It’s almost like Sen Pha is advocating for a form of ID. Like, Voter ID? Used to prove that you live somewhere and can vote in that area? Huh, crazy…voter integrity! pic.twitter.com/QlFCU3kdcz

— Rep. Jim Nash (@JimNashMN) March 16, 2026

Pha added that questioning whether delegates meet basic eligibility requirements — such as actually living in the district they represent — “is not about targeting any community or suppressing voters. It is about protecting the integrity, fairness, and transparency of the process for everyone, especially when there is credible information that calls a delegate’s residency in the district into question.”

Nash responded in his post: “It’s almost like Sen. Pha is advocating for a form of ID. Like, voter ID? Used to prove that you live somewhere and can vote in that area? Huh, crazy … voter integrity!”

Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, also weighed in, saying: “If they’ll do this to their own, why wouldn’t they do this in the election?”

Pha is running for reelection and has a primary opponent in Nehemiah Garley. According to Garley, neither candidate won the endorsement during the recent convention. The Senate District 38 DFL said the convention will reconvene at a later date to complete the endorsement process.

DFL responds

The Senate District 38 DFL released a lengthy statement in response, saying it has a “structured process for reviewing delegate challenges” and convened a “Credentials Committee.”

“Delegate challenges were submitted by all campaigns, reflecting the high level of engagement in this year’s caucus and convention cycle,” the statement said. Some campaigns withdrew their challenges and said they plan to go to the primary, according to the statement.

“At the same time, Senate District 38 recognizes that some participants may feel frustrated or disappointed with how the process unfolded. We respect those perspectives. We also respect the importance of maintaining the integrity of the delegation. The challenge process exists to ensure that every delegate is properly elected, eligible, and resides within the district they represent,” the statement added. “In this cycle, as in others, several delegates’ residency or eligibility was contested, and the challenge process is the mechanism the DFL provides to evaluate those concerns fairly, consistently, and without bias.”

According to the statement, the credentials committee met multiple times and reviewed challenges to ensure “that every decision was grounded in the rules of the Minnesota DFL.”

“In addition, they reviewed challenges, applying consistent rulings for evaluation, at the convention itself,” the statement added. “Their work was careful and guided by a commitment to fairness.”

Jenna Gloeb

Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.