Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders told thousands who jammed the lower level of Williams Arena on Sunday that he considers Minnesota a very special place.
"And it's not just because it gets cold like Vermont," the Democratic presidential candidate quipped.
He was referring to his connection with the late Paul Wellstone, a fellow US Senator who joined Sanders' progressive caucus in 1991.
Sanders pushed his agenda, which includes health care reform, as well as a focus on education and clean energy.
He also formally received the endorsement of Fifth District Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who, like his father, immigrated to the United States.
"As a refugee, who escaped war and persecution as a child, I am honored to stand with the son of a Jewish refugee who survived genocide," Omar said.
Sanders returned to Minnesota for a second time since declaring his candidacy, appearing at the State Fair during the summer.
In 2016, Sanders was the runaway winner in the Minnesota DFL caucus, outdistancing Hillary Clinton by a wide margin.
Minnesota's Democrats have switched to a presidential primary for 2020, which will bring out more voters.