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BRAINERD DISPATCH VOTER’S GUIDE
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 | BRAINERD DISPATCH
BRAINERDDISPATCH.COM
Minnesota Senate Senate District 2 Steve Green Party: Republican. Did not respond. Leonard Alan Roy Party: DFL. Employment: Army Reserve Company Commander. Public office experience: Four years as the Secretary/ Treasurer of the White Earth Nation. Roy What do you want to accomplish if elected? As a candidate, I have prioritized farming, economic development, and education. We must take a look at how the State surplus can be returned to taxpayers. We must also assess the current tax rates that caused the surplus and determine if there are areas Minnesotans are being over taxed. Specifically, how would you accomplish your goals? Farming: This is the bedrock of our Senate District, but we’ve lost touch with our farmers. I’ll increase support for farmers and the state’s vital programs, including drought relief and access to capital.
Senate District 5
I am well acquainted with the needs and priorA. John Peters ities for small businesses in Minnesota. As an Party: DFL. Employment: Owner and award-winning college educator, I have shown manager of A. John Peters the ability to communicate with people to negoComputer Services, where I tiate to come to a just solution. I put people first. I will be working for the repair and update computers, and teach computer and phone people in SD 5 and all of Minnesota by bringing fresh, no-biased ideas to the MN Senate. usage to Senior Citizens. Paul Utke Public office experience: I Peters Party: Republican. have been a community activEmployment: Commercial ist providing input and support to the people in Property Landlord, Legal VidTodd and Morrison counties. I am the chair of eographer and Licensed Insurthe board of Hands of Hope Resource Center ance Agent. providing support and protection to victims of Public office experience: domestic abuse. I am a member of the board for Todd County Broadband Coalition, and I proPark Rapids City Council, vide support to Todd County Council on Aging. Utke 2009-2016, State Senator, What do you want to accomplish if elected? 2017-Current. Enhance access to health care. Reduce propWhat do you want to accomplish if elected? erty taxes. Improve infrastructure. Support edu- As chair of Health and Human Services I would cation in public schools, Pre-k through 12, while have mental health and the availability and adding more training for new jobs. Increase affordability of health care as priorities. Tax relief availability of affordable homes for workers. for all taxpayers and eliminate the tax on social Expand clean energy opportunities. Create new security. Public safety support across the state markets for farmers. Provide affordable high- and support of all law enforcement officers. speed internet for everyone in SD 5. Specifically, how would you accomplish Specifically, how would you accomplish your goals? First, the Legislation needs the your goals? whole committee and/or caucus committed to Expand Medicaid and Medicare. your vision. As legislators we bring ideas and Increase state funding for townships and pub- proposals forward to get support from our collic schools by Increasing taxes on people making leagues. I bring forward ideas that I believe are more than $400,000 while verifying that large good for Minnesotans and then recruit support businesses pay their fair share. Increase trans- from our fellow members. Again, relationships portation budget. Fully fund public schools. matter and you need the majority to move anyDecrease tuition for technical colleges. Add thing forward. Steve “Sam” Samuelson or improve programs in agriculture industries. What abilities or qualifications separate you Party: DFL. Provide incentives to build small family homes, from your competition? Why are you the best Employment: Retired townhomes, and apartments. Increase incentives candidate for the job? I have six years of quality (currently a caregiver for my for clean energy companies and startups. Pro- experience in the Senate. I have been a leader in father). vide farmer training and business incentives for our caucus and my common sense approach to Public office experience: processing current products, new grain products policy-making has been effective. Relationships None. and hemp. Make full use of current federal matter in the legislature and that is why I have What do you want to money without leaving infrastructure money on had success. I was asked to serve as the chair of accomplish if elected? My the table. Samuelson the Senate Health and Human Services Committop priorities are protecting the What abilities or qualifications separate you tee this past session and we had a very good year. election integrity laws that we currently have in from your competition? Why are you the best I look forward to continuing in that capacity and place, ensuring safe gun measures, and being a candidate for the job? I am a leader in com- leading a committee that addresses the needs of Senator who is actively inclusive, a Senator that munity revitalization. I would like to bring this the young, disabled and the elderly. seeks out rational opinions of voters and experts, ability to all people in SD 5. and represents all voters without hesitation or I have been a business owner since 1989, so bias. Specifically, how would you accomplish your goals? I would look to build bridges with members of both parties to bring reasonable legislation forward surrounding gun safety. I would focus on ensuring that background checks are continued and that we expand mental health problems. We can have the jobs, schools, hospitals, Suzanne Cekalla care access across the state. I would continue to roads, and bridges we deserve. We just have to be Party: DFL. support our current election security laws, and Employment: Small business willing to do the work until the job is done. would reject proposals that infringe upon the Nathan Wesenberg owner; former nurse, pastor, ability or ease for a legal voter to actually cast Party: Republican. and hospital chaplain. a legal vote. I would actively look for ways to Employment: Wildlife BioloPublic office experience: ensure that everyone has a voice in their govgist/self employed. None. ernment rather than only those who I personally Public office experience: What do you want to accomagree with. None. plish if elected? I look around What abilities or qualifications separate you Cekalla What do you want to accomCentral Minnesota and I see from your competition? Why are you the best plish if elected? candidate for the job? My whole life has been people who want opportunities: to start businesses, Give control of the governspent in service to my community. I am a proud learn trades, to create wealth and security for their Wesenberg ment back to the people. Cut union supporter. I am willing to sit down with families. I am determined to bring those opportuanyone of any belief or political party and not nities back to the people in this community, and and eliminate taxes, stop wasteful spending, protect our children, shrink government, less over-reachjust listen to them, but I will find ways to help put our economic future back in our own hands. Specifically, how would you accomplish your ing regulation, term limits, uphold our Constithem through the legislative process. We differ on many things — abortion rights versus gov- goals? Reliable, affordable internet is essential to tution, put Minnesota first. There is no place for ernmental control of women, minimum wage, new business, which creates jobs and revitalizes California Emission Standards in Minnesota, and I and environmental protections to name a few. communities. I support revenue-neutral low-in- will fight to keep them out. Specifically, how would you accomplish your But the real difference between us is that I will terest loans to electricity cooperatives to provide always put the needs of all of us front and center broadband internet service, and to family farmers goals? It takes a strong leader to stand up to and local business owners who want to make misguided decisions. Myself and other Conserwith my vote. capital investments. I also support tax credits for vative Republican Senators will bring back common-sense voting. Together, we will be voting for businesses who invest in infrastructure. Besides planning for the future, we need to cre- our constituents and our conservative values. It ate opportunities in Central Minnesota right now. only takes one Senator to stand up and force a vote. That’s why I would fight for funding for paid-train- I am not afraid to do this to bring the topics that ing and apprenticeship programs in robotics and matter most to Republicans onto the floor. What abilities or qualifications separate you green energy installation and maintenance for Central Minnesotans. The technology of the future from your competition? Why are you the best Robert Farnsworth candidate for the job? I will be a voice for the should be built right here! Party: Republican. What abilities or qualifications separate you people. I have been working throughout my district Employment: Special Edu- from your competition? Why are you the best making change and fighting corruption in our govcation Teacher/Real Estate candidate for the job? Growing up on a fami- ernment. This is a battle of “good versus evil” — no Agent. ly farm in Central Minnesota I learned the job longer “R versus D.” While Democrats burned our Public office experience: I isn’t done until the job is done. I’ve served as a cities, killed our economy, raised taxes, and put ran for house district 6A in pastor and nurse, built two small businesses, and America last — I will continue to fight for your 2020, coming within 30 votes co-founded the Rice Chamber of Commerce. rights, freedoms, and America. I will be a voice of of winning a seat not held by Farnsworth These experiences made me an unapologetic reason. I am not indebted to anyone, so I can make a Republican in a generation. moderate. Treating politics like a team sport is care- change we need without having to “scratch someWhat do you want to accomplish if elected? I less and cruel, and it’s done to keep us angry at our one’s back.” It is time to change the status quo and would like to reduce the cost of living in our state neighbors instead of working together to solve our take our country back. through permanent tax cuts. I would especially like to eliminate the tax on social security beneWĂŝĚ ĚǀĞƌƟƐĞŵĞŶƚ fits. I would also like to focus on transportation ĂĐŬĞĚ ďLJ >ĞĂĚĞƌƐ͙ funding for Greater Minnesota and work on improving our schools. ƵƌƌĞŶƚ ĂƐƐ Ž͘ ^ŚĞƌŝī Specifically, how would you accomplish your goals? In regards to transportation, I will Ϯ ĨŽƌŵĞƌ ^ŚĞƌŝīƐ support funding for roads and bridges rather than more trains in the Twin Cities. In the area Ϯ ĨŽƌŵĞƌ of education, I will focus on revamping grad standards so schools have more flexibility to ŚŝĞĨ ĞƉƵƟĞƐ provide education kids can use after high school. Specifically, we need to improve our education for students who don’t plan on attending college ŚŝĞĨ ĞƉƵƚLJ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ or university and rather go into the technical trades. In regards to taxes, I would support using ďLJ Ϯϰ LJĞĂƌƐ ŽĨ ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐŝǀĞ the $9 billion surplus for permanent tax cuts so folks have more money in their pockets at the ůĞĂĚĞƌƐŚŝƉ͕ ƚŚĞ ƐŚĞƌŝīƐ end of the month. What abilities or qualifications separate you ǁŚŽ ĐĂŵĞ ďĞĨŽƌĞ Śŝŵ͕ from your competition? Why are you the best ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ dĞĂŵ ŚĞ ǁŝůů ůĞĂĚ͘ candidate for the job? I have work experience in both the private and public sector, as a teacher and real estate agent, that I will bring to the Legislature. In addition, I have served as my local WƌĞƉĂƌĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ŽŵŵŝƩĞĞ ƚŽ ůĞĐƚ union president and have worked with people ƌLJĂŶ tĞůŬ ^ŚĞƌŝī͕ ŽŶŶĂ ƵŐĂŶ͕ dƌĞĂƐƵƌĞƌ͕ across the spectrum to get things done. My wife WŽ Ždž ϭϲϭ͕ ZĞŵĞƌ͕ DE ϱϲϲϳϮ and I are raising our four children right here in the Northland, and I am determined to make sure our area is the best place to raise a family. Education: Teachers and schools need resources to move education forward. Job training programs and apprenticeships can both help in this regard. Economy: Make smart business decisions and keeping a close eye on expenses. I’ll focus on making the most of state revenue while championing programs that will help families. I’m a fiscal conservative who knows how to get things done even when people disagree. What abilities or qualifications separate you from your competition? Why are you the best candidate for the job? As an Army veteran who deployed to Iraq, I learned the value of freedom and public service — and when to step up as a leader and build agreement. I also believe in education. I have a MPA from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and a BA from the University of Minnesota. We have to do a better job of supporting farmers and attracting new jobs in energy, high-tech and other businesses. I’ll focus on economic development incentives, including improving access to low-interest capital, which will help small businesses get back on track and create more jobs.
Senate District 6 Justin Eichorn Party: Republican. Employment: Small business owner – Property Management. Public office experience: First elected as State Senator in 2016, re-elected in 2020. What do you want to Eichorn accomplish if elected? I want to finalize the repeal of the tax on Social Security income. Make investments in MN economy to reach our full potential in both industry and small business. Support our law enforcement and keep MN a safe place to live, work, and play. Specifically, how would you accomplish your goals? I will focus my time on pushing legislation that can get passed and signed into law. In my time at the Capitol, I learned from my Northern Minnesota colleagues that it often takes a bipartisan approach and a coalition of supporters from across the state to get things done. Whether it’s energy policy or tourism grants or anything in between, it takes 34 of us to pass in the Senate and 68 votes in the House. I’ve spent time building those relationships and can deliver results for Northern Minnesota. What abilities or qualifications separate you from your competition? Why are you the best candidate for the job? I am the best candidate to be your state Senator because I am a Christian family man, small business owner, and lifelong resident of Northern Minnesota. We have shared values in part by how we were raised and in part by how the Great North raised us. We all care about keeping our beautiful lakes clean and our forests mighty and bountiful. We can do that while having world class timber operations and a coal fired power plant that supports us all through our frigid winters.
Senate District 10
Senate District 6 Ben DeNucci Party: DFL. Employment: Small Business Owner (Nashwauk & Eveleth Markets) and County Commissioner. Public office experience: Former Mayor of Nashwauk (2014-2017) and Itasca County DeNucci Commissioner (2017-current). What do you want to accomplish if elected? My campaign is built around three issues: Local jobs, strong schools, and healthy communities. I will go to work every day to make sure the Northland continues to be the best place to live, raise a family, work a good paying job, and retire comfortably. Specifically, how would you accomplish your goals? I will make sure the Northland gets its fair share. Talk of closing mines is irresponsible. I will bring the companies together to negotiate a lasting solution. I’m a Twin Metals and Polymet champion – our natural resources can transform America’s clean economy if we stop endless attacks on our permitting process. There’s no reason school districts here should lag behind the metro for funding; I will fight to put our students first so Northland schools are as high quality as anywhere in the state. With a record budget surplus, eliminating taxes on social security will afford our seniors dignified retirement. What abilities or qualifications separate you from your competition? Why are you the best candidate for the job? I’m unique from my competitor because I believe in freedom and preventing government interference in private health decisions. When a woman decides how to start a family, I don’t think politicians should have a veto in the doctor’s office, but my opponent wants one. With years of experience as a successful small business owner, I know the local economy, what our communities need, and how government can be responsive to help businesses and working families thrive. As a mayor and county commissioner, I have the experience to do this important work on day one.
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