A Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz appointed cabinet-level political appointee, Ida Rukavina, was found to have decorated her home with posters of murderous communist dictators, Mao Zedong and Che Guevara. Rukavina, the commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, was appointed in 2022 to oversee economic development in northeastern Minnesota. The discovery of the posters sparked controversy and questions regarding Rukavina’s views and affiliations. The poster of Mao Zedong, responsible for policies that resulted in the deaths of millions, included a communist slogan from his rule. The poster of Che Guevara, known for his violent actions during the Cuban Revolution, was seen on her wall alongside a book about his life.
Walz, who has admitted to traveling to China multiple times, was criticized for his connections to the communist regime. A former social studies teacher, Walz has been described as having “Maoist” leanings. Rukavina’s ties to communism are further underscored by her family background, as her late father, Tom Rukavina, had been associated with communist and socialist sympathies. Rukavina was appointed by Walz to ensure that local communities in northeastern Minnesota thrive, including overseeing a region with significant nickel resources. The United States faced a negative trade deficit on raw nickel in 2024, highlighting the importance of domestic sources of critical minerals, such as nickel.
The revelation of Rukavina’s posters of communist leaders comes amid heightened scrutiny over Walz’s connections to communist China. In a separate incident, it was uncovered that another political appointee of Walz, attorney Chang Wang, is a member of China’s third-largest political party, which has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Wang serves on the Minnesota Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, advising on issues affecting the Chinese Minnesotan community. This revelation adds to concerns about the influence of communist ideologies on Minnesota politics and raises questions about the governor’s vetting process for appointees with potential foreign affiliations.
Tom Rukavina, Ida Rukavina’s father, had been known for his socialist leanings during his time as a Democratic Minnesota state representative. His views sometimes sparked humorous remarks from colleagues, with one calling him “Tommy the commie” on the House floor. While Rukavina was once vocal about his socialist beliefs, some observers noted a shift towards conservatism in his later years. These family connections to socialist and communist ideologies raise further questions about the political landscape in Minnesota and the potential influence of such beliefs on public policy decisions.
Rukavina’s appointment to oversee economic development in northeastern Minnesota, including the management of critical resources like nickel, has raised concerns given her apparent affinity for communist figures. The economic impact of sourcing nickel from domestic reserves is significant, as seen in the negative trade deficit the United States faced in 2024 regarding raw nickel imports. There are calls for greater transparency and accountability in the vetting process for political appointees to ensure that individuals with potential foreign affiliations or controversial ideologies are not placed in positions of influence. The broader implications of these revelations on Minnesota’s political landscape and economic future remain to be seen.
