United Strategies

11/01/2023

United Strategies is pleased to welcome Amber Backhaus as Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs. Amber brings over two decades of legislative and public policy experience with a demonstrated history of successfully executing advocacy campaigns and creating communications and grassroots components to move the needle. She has a reputation for being steeped in the issues and effectively communicating their impacts. She can bring together affected parties and build coalitions to find the win.

For the past decade, Amber served as the Vice President of Public Affairs for the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA). During that time, she helped pass numerous pieces of legislation positively impacting the health of the industry, including franchise law updates, vehicle registration improvements, and electric vehicle incentives. Policymakers recognized her value and appointed her to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles and the Legislative Task Force on Motor Vehicle Registration.

Amber’s passion for advocacy extends to her volunteer pursuits. For the past decade, she has volunteered with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, working to raise funds and improve the lives of patients living with these diseases. In 2017, she was elected to the Foundation’s National Board of Trustees, serving as chair of both the Advocacy and Mission Committees. In 2024, she is honored to serve as the chair of the National Board.

Learn more about Amber and our work: https://www.unitedstrategiesllc.com/our-team.

02/28/2023

Today marks the departure of co-founder Richard Carlbom from the United Strategies team. He starts March 1st serving Governor Walz and Lt Governor Flanagan as Deputy Chief of Staff. In his years at US, Richard helped build our lasting impact across the state.

United Strategies will continue to offer top-notch political strategy with our forward thinking, innovative team that will continue to advance important causes in Minnesota.

fundraising lobbying

03/08/2022

It’s not too late to sign ERAMN’s Minnesotans for Equality petition before !

If you agree it’s time for Minnesota to guarantee equal rights for ALL, sign now!

✍️

Sign the Minnesota for Equality petition if you believe MN should have Equal Rights for ALL! The petition will be presented to our Legislators on March 8 - International Women's Day. Our goal is to get an ERA question on the Nov 2022 ballot - so we, t

12/15/2021

We are excited to announce that Megan Verdeja will be joining our Government Relations team beginning December 27th. Megan has been in the Government Affairs field for fourteen years.

United Strategies is excited to announce that Megan Verdeja will be joining its government relations team beginning December 27th. Megan has been in the Government Affairs field for fourteen years.

07/20/2021

Our Director of Digital Engagement stopped by the Dean Phillips for Congress Coffeehouse today to talk digital marketing with the campaign fellows and interns.

We're always happy to help educate potential digital marketers about what a career in this ever-changing field looks like.

04/30/2021

The decade that was April is finally drawing to a close! Here's what happened this week in Minnesota.

The Week at a Glance 100 days in office: April 29, 2021 : “ President Joe Biden’s address to Congress and the Republican response by Sem. Tim Scott ”, via the Minnesota Public Radio Staff Minnesota State Fair 2021:   April 26, 2021 : ‘ Planning is proceeding’ , via Emily

04/25/2021

The Trial of Derek Chauvin Monday, April 19 : via Erin Donaghue of CBS News , The jury began deliberations after closing arguments, adjourning at 8 p.m. local time without reaching a verdict. National Guard troops are called to U.S. cities as the jury deliberates in the Chauvin trial , b

04/16/2021

The Week at a Glance The Police Killing of Daunte Wright: On Sunday afternoon, Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter shot and killed Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black male, during a traffic stop. Wright is survived by his mother, Katie Wright, and his son, Daunte Wright Jr. P

04/09/2021

See what's been happening in Minnesota this week!

The Week at a Glance COVID-19: Cases in Minnesota continue to climb week after week. Seven-day rolling average is 1876 cases per day . Positive test rate is 5.7% . 34.8% of Minnesotans have received at least one vaccine dose . Minnesota prisons struggle t

04/02/2021

Big news this week:
- COVID-19: Minnesota leads the nation in vaccination rate - but in the race between vaccinations and variants, the vaccinations aren’t winning.
- The Trial of Derek Chauvin: Jury selection concluded over the weekend and the trial of Derek Chauvin began on Monday.
- Gubernatorial Race 2022: Minnesota Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) is considering a run for Governor. The campaign of Former Senator Scott Jensen has raised $200,000 since he announced his gubernatorial campaign.

Visit our blog to read more about what happened this week in Minnesota.

COVID-19: Minnesota leads the nation in vaccination rate - but in the race between vaccinations and variants, the vaccinations aren’t winning. The positive test rate reached 5.2% this week, a critical indication that cases are on the rise once again in spite of the fact that over 1.7 mi

03/26/2021

News leading into the weekend: Minnesota Governor Walz expands access to the Covid-19 vaccines to those 16 years old and up starting on Tuesday, March 30th. While demand will be greater than supply, this should even out in the next four to five weeks. Sign up on the vaccine connector!

COVID-19: Seven-day rolling average is 1279 cases per day . Positive test rate is 4.5% . Over 1.475 million Minnesotans have received at least one vaccine dose . On Monday, the state recorded zero deaths for the first time in nearly a year. Minnesota al