ICYMI: The Truth About The Center of the American Experiment.

By now, you may have read the article in the New York Times about a group of extreme conservatives in Saint Cloud who take issue with anyone who doesn’t look like them. The article’s titular quote comes from former Center of the American Experiment VP, and 2022 Secretary of State candidate Kim Crockett: “I think of America, the great assimilator, as a rubber band, but with this — we’re at the breaking point,” Ms. Crockett said. “These aren’t people coming from Norway, let’s put it that way. These people are very visible.”

So, what is The Center of the American Experiment? And who are the people that are so comfortable spreading harmful rhetoric about Minnesotans? Here’s everything you need to know.

The Background:

The Center of the American Experiment (CAE) is a conservative think-tank that is part of the State Policy Network. They work hand in glove with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), and are bankrolled by Trump-aligned entities like the Bradley Foundation. So, needless to say, when their corporate and Koch-influenced backers say jump, the CAE does. 

They also publish content that fits their conservative narrative, supports Donald Trump, and attacks their political rivals. 

The People and Their Values:

In light of the New York Times story, CAE issued a weak apology claiming that the statement was opposed to “the views and values of our organization.” Except… it actually quite accurately reflects the views of the organization. 

Kim Crockett, former CAE vice president, has a track record of problematic views. In 2022 when she ran for Secretary of State, she played a video at the MNGOP state convention that portrayed George Soros using antisemitic tropes. She went on to proudly claim that the 2020 presidential election was “rigged,” echoing Donald Trump’s lies. She also refused to say whether she would accept the results of her own election, which she ultimately lost to Steve Simon.

Kim Crockett isn’t the only staff member of the CAE that has publicly, consistently expressed views that are prejudicial and hateful. Katherine Kersten, a founding director, former chair of the organization, and current Senior Policy Fellow has numerous instances of bigotry under her belt. She holds extreme anti-transgender beliefs. And she doesn’t believe that LGBTQ+ people should have the right to marry. She even opposed efforts to address racial inequity in Saint Paul Public Schools.

The Center’s president, John Hinderaker is also one of four contributors at the conservative blog, Powerline. His writing over the years has claimed that racism isn’t real, and has blamed crime in Minneapolis on Barack Obama and Black Lives Matter. Additionally, he gives voice to his readers, who want to take control of what literature is taught in high schools across the metro.

The Facts to Remember:

So, whenever you have the misfortune of seeing staff from the Center of the American Experiment on television, in print, or driving you in a Lyft, remember that the only policies they are interested in are what their corporate backers demand.

The CAE doesn’t hold Minnesotan values. They’re a group of extreme, Trump-aligned individuals who want to take Minnesota back to a time before many people had rights.

We need your help to fight back against shadowy, hateful organizations like The Center of the American Experiment. Join us today to fight back against disinformation and stay in-the-know. 

Together, we’ll stand up to conservative lies and build a better Minnesota for all of us

---

This is an updated version of a blog published in 2019. You can find the original blog here.