Blab Politics
James Dirth Elected New Chair of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees Political Council
On July 13 2026, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) Political Council (PC) chose James Dirth as its new chair, a decision that came just before Nicole Juan stepped into the presidency after her victory in the June statewide election. MAPE, the state’s largest bargaining unit with more than 18,500 members, will now rely on Dirth’s experience to steer its political agenda.
Dirth’s career has been rooted in public service. He has worked as a strategic data coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Human Services and serves as a steward for Local 201, one of MAPE’s local unions. After joining the PC nearly three years ago and serving two years as secretary, he stepped forward to broaden his influence. In a statement released after the vote, he said, “I have always been involved in politics but felt that I didn’t have a voice in the current party system. I initially ran for Political Council in the Fall of 2023 because I knew I needed to be more involved in my union and felt workers were being left behind. Issue‑based work is a way to participate in the political process without feeling you have to work directly with one specific party.”
Looking ahead, Dirth laid out a clear mission. “As Political Council Chair, my mission is to increase members’ desire to engage in politics and ensure they feel heard in that process. I speak to a lot of members who are pretty cynical about politics and that’s a valid feeling. What we need to remember is multiple moments in our nation’s history where collective power led to incredible change. Through our union, we can enact change and that’s what we are working toward on the Political Council,” he explained.
The PC’s mandate is to set legislative priorities, educate members, and drive participation in the state’s legislative process. In the 2026 session, the council has prioritized expanding the Civic Engagement Officer program and boosting turnout in precinct caucuses, both initiatives aimed at deepening grassroots involvement.
The chair’s role sits on MAPE’s Statewide Executive Team, which also includes the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Organizing Council Chair. The Speaker of the Meet and Confer Chairs joins the committee as a non‑voting member. Maureen Dunaway’s election as Vice President opens the Speaker position, leaving the interim chair role to Nicole Emerson, chair of the Minnesota State Meet and Confer committee, until a new speaker is chosen at the August 28 negotiations convention.
Outside the union, Dirth balances his professional commitments with family life. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog, Ellie, and takes his bike along the Nokomis path near his South Minneapolis home. When he’s not biking, he hikes, camps, plays board games, or paints model kits. With his election, MAPE signals a continuation of its political strategy—emphasizing civic engagement and worker advocacy—while Dirth will serve as PC Chair until the next internal election, working closely with the executive team to advance the council’s initiatives. No immediate policy changes have been announced.
Dirth’s career has been rooted in public service. He has worked as a strategic data coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Human Services and serves as a steward for Local 201, one of MAPE’s local unions. After joining the PC nearly three years ago and serving two years as secretary, he stepped forward to broaden his influence. In a statement released after the vote, he said, “I have always been involved in politics but felt that I didn’t have a voice in the current party system. I initially ran for Political Council in the Fall of 2023 because I knew I needed to be more involved in my union and felt workers were being left behind. Issue‑based work is a way to participate in the political process without feeling you have to work directly with one specific party.”
Looking ahead, Dirth laid out a clear mission. “As Political Council Chair, my mission is to increase members’ desire to engage in politics and ensure they feel heard in that process. I speak to a lot of members who are pretty cynical about politics and that’s a valid feeling. What we need to remember is multiple moments in our nation’s history where collective power led to incredible change. Through our union, we can enact change and that’s what we are working toward on the Political Council,” he explained.
The PC’s mandate is to set legislative priorities, educate members, and drive participation in the state’s legislative process. In the 2026 session, the council has prioritized expanding the Civic Engagement Officer program and boosting turnout in precinct caucuses, both initiatives aimed at deepening grassroots involvement.
The chair’s role sits on MAPE’s Statewide Executive Team, which also includes the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Organizing Council Chair. The Speaker of the Meet and Confer Chairs joins the committee as a non‑voting member. Maureen Dunaway’s election as Vice President opens the Speaker position, leaving the interim chair role to Nicole Emerson, chair of the Minnesota State Meet and Confer committee, until a new speaker is chosen at the August 28 negotiations convention.
Outside the union, Dirth balances his professional commitments with family life. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog, Ellie, and takes his bike along the Nokomis path near his South Minneapolis home. When he’s not biking, he hikes, camps, plays board games, or paints model kits. With his election, MAPE signals a continuation of its political strategy—emphasizing civic engagement and worker advocacy—while Dirth will serve as PC Chair until the next internal election, working closely with the executive team to advance the council’s initiatives. No immediate policy changes have been announced.
