By Brian Edwards

St. Paul Pioneer Press

As part of Hillary Clinton’s continuing push to get Minnesota Democrats more excited to vote, her campaign sent Chelsea Clinton to Minneapolis on Thursday to rally on Lake Street.

In a brief speech, the former first daughter touched on a variety of issues, including immigration reform, climate change, disability rights and defeating Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. About 200 people gathered in a hall on East Lake Street to listen.

“I think this is the most important presidential election in my lifetime,” Clinton said. “I feel that way partly now because I am a parent … (it) has sharpened the intensity that I already felt about how important who is running for, and holding, political office is at every level.”

She was joined on stage by Gov. Mark Dayton, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Minneapolis City Council member Alondra Cano.

Dayton lambasted Trump for what he called hateful speech. “This election is a chance for us to stand up and say no, this is not who we are in Minnesota,” Dayton said.

The Republican Party of Minnesota released a statement calling the Chelsea’s visit a “desperate ploy.”