What are you allowed to tell me about the politics of Duluth’s Harry Welty.
A few minutes ago I typed that question into ChatGPT. Ever since I ended one of my columns with the tag line saying I didn’t know what an AI ap would say about me I wondered in fact what it would say. Frankly the response which was returned in a second impressed me. When I emailed myself the link each portion of it listed where the information came from. None of it was picked up from my blog or other websites I manage. The closest was whatever it gleaned from the Duluth Reader website although at the end it directs Anonymous (which was me) to read further at Lincolndemocrat.com
ChatGPT said:
Harry Welty is a long-standing figure in Duluth, Minnesota’s political landscape, known for his independent views and frequent candidacies. His career spans education, local activism, and multiple runs for Congress.
en.wikipedia.org
+2
reddit.com
+2
duluthnewstribune.com
+2
Duluth School Board and the Red Plan
Welty served three terms on the Duluth School Board between 1996 and 2017. He was a vocal critic of the district’s “Red Plan,” a nearly $300 million facilities overhaul that involved closing several schools and building new ones without a public referendum. Welty co-founded the “Let Duluth Vote” initiative, advocating for community input and transparency in the decision-making process.
fox21online.com
mprnews.org
+1
duluthreader.com
+1
In 2014, Welty was censured by the school board for publicly disclosing confidential information, including the purchase price of a former high school property and a privileged attorney letter related to an internal investigation. He acknowledged the breach and voted in favor of his own censure as a public apology.
duluthnewstribune.com
Congressional Campaigns
Welty has run multiple times for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District seat, challenging Republican incumbent Pete Stauber in the GOP primaries of 2018, 2020, and 2024. Despite identifying as a Republican, Welty is a staunch critic of former President Donald Trump and the current direction of the GOP. He positions himself as a “Lincoln Republican,” emphasizing traditional conservative values and expressing concern over the party’s alignment with Trump.
reddit.com
+4
fox21online.com
+4
duluthnewstribune.com
+4
Public Persona and Activism
Beyond politics, Welty is known for his creative snow sculptures displayed outside his Duluth home. These sculptures often carry political messages; for instance, he created a snow sculpture depicting President Trump as a New Year’s baby in 2019, which was later vandalized. In 2022, he crafted a sculpture supporting Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
reddit.com
+3
newstribuneattic.wordpress.com
+3
fox21online.com
+3
fox21online.com
fox21online.com
Welty also maintains a blog, lincolndemocrat.com, where he shares his views on politics, education, and local issues. He continues to be an active voice in Duluth’s civic discourse, often challenging established norms and advocating for transparency and community engagement.
duluthreader.com
For more detailed information on Harry Welty’s political activities and viewpoints, you can visit his blog at lincolndemocrat.com.
duluthreader.com