2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135 | Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 | 320.251.1971
CONGRESS / SENATE – LEWIS
Top priority: If elected, what is your top priority for the 2021 Congress? Why are you running for office?
Every year, politicians of both parties come to you and say “this is the most important election of our lifetime.” I’m running for the United States Senate because 2020 truly is the most important. This election has become a referendum on our American values and way of life. When a mainstream political party and its standard bearers are pushing to defund the police, it’s safe to say that something is dangerously wrong and Minnesotans need a voice who will stand up and fight for them and protect them. Not only will I fund the police and punish those who don’t, I stand in favor of putting Minnesota and American jobs first, at the expense of globalist policies of the past (like NAFTA) that shipped jobs overseas and hurt our farmers. We must hold China accountable for exporting the Coronavirus and ensure American corporations stop outsourcing jobs there. I will also protect the tax cuts I helped enact in the 115th Congress. We must also protect our Constitution and appoint and confirm jurists to our federal courts who will protect the freedom of speech and assembly, the 2nd Amendment, and protect against radicals who support late term and even post birth abortion.
Economy: How do you grade the federal government’s response to the pandemic? Are additional measures necessary to spur the economy? If so, what?
Between the China travel ban (which Democrats opposed and decried as xenophobic) and actions taken to shore up medical supplies and resources to “flatten the curve,” the Administration’s approach has proven effective. Having seen a drastic reduction in cases and mortality rates, it’s time to fully reopen our economy. I was all in on “15 days to slow the spread” and its initial extension so that our health care infrastructure could shore up and “flatten the curve.” I have been proposing since April that we lift once and for all this economic lockdown that has plagued and derailed what had previously been the best economy on record, thanks to the tax cuts I helped pass in Congress. Americans indeed need more relief from the fallout surrounding COVID and the lockdown, such as SBA loan forgiveness which I support and my opponent opposes, based on her latest “NO” vote on COVID relief bills.
Police reform: Police reform has become center stage since the George Floyd death and has prompted calls for legislative action at all levels of government. What actions do you support at the federal level?
I know firsthand from marrying a St. Paul police officer that nobody dislikes a bad cop more than a good cop. But to paint with a broad brush and label an entire profession as "rotten to the root" as Ilhan Omar did (who my opponent enthusiastically endorsed), is not only wrong, it's dangerous. Bad cops must be held accountable--that's why I spoke out in favor of Senator Tim Scott's and Congressman Pete Stauber's reform bill, the "JUSTICE Act" while Senator Tina Smith voted against it. But we owe it to the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe, to stand behind them and support them, and I do. That's why I'm proud to have been endorsed by the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.
Foreign affairs: How do you grade President Trump’s foreign policy record?
Which of his initiatives do you support, and which do you oppose? Be specific.
The Trump Doctrine of “America First” is precisely what the American people have been looking for in the post-Cold War era. We protect our allies abroad while disentangling our nation from foreign conflicts that have no direct national security threat to the United States. Trump won in large part by running against globalism and nation building. He has fulfilled that promise and I support that. It’s the difference between a republic and an empire.
Health care: Do you support the expansion of Association Health Plans?
I support Association Health Plans which enable small businesses and the self-employed to compete with larger groups by forming their own pools. I also am proud of my efforts in Congress to reform ACA and lower premiums, deductibles, and drug costs.
We now have two competing visions of what direction health care in America should take. A market-based system of private medicine with a safety net, or a heedless slide into a single-payer government run system.
Democrats now insist the only way to fix the skyrocketing premiums and deductibles that have been foisted upon us by Obamacare (which conservatives like me warned would happen) is to embrace a single payer style healthcare system such as "Medicare For All." Plans such as those supported by my opponent Tina Smith could force up to 50 rural Minnesota hospitals to close.
Lest you believe that more government is the answer to the issue of healthcare, ask Canada and Europe how their care rationing and months-long waiting lists are working out for their citizens.
Education: COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the demands for and delivery of education. What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the global economy?
We are leaving an entire generation of kids behind as we continue to keep millions of them out of school with this never-ending, one size fits all lockdown. It’s imperative that we get our kids back in school safely, and I would fight for that as U.S. Senator. On the other hand, my opponent Tina Smith has blocked COVID relief bills three times. The most recent iteration of COVID relief that she blocked in the Senate contained money to help get kids safely back in school.
Energy: Is the United States doing enough to reduce carbon emissions? What can the federal government do to promote homegrown energy?
Under President Trump, for the first time, the United States of America is a net energy exporter. In order to promote homegrown energy, we need only continue the pro-growth, pro-energy policies promoted by the President and myself when I served in the 115th Congress. I would hate to see this progress reversed because we gave in to the short- sighted whims of radicals pushing proposals like the Green New Deal. I don’t believe in hamstringing our economy and putting us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other nations who have no intention of meaningfully reducing emissions.
That’s not to say our nation’s energy policy should be heedless of concern pertaining to emissions and the environment. We need to continue to foster the surge we’ve seen in clean fracking. I have been a vocal and forceful advocate for the Enbridge Line 3 replacement pipeline which would create 8,600 jobs in Minnesota and generate more than $19 million dollars in local property tax revenue. And yet, Minnesota Democrats throw hurdle after hurdle in its way, which is surprising considering the pipeline is so old and dilapidated that it can only operate at 50% capacity.
Protecting our land, water, and air and supporting our job creators and businesses are not mutually exclusive. Take the Minnesota Iron Range for example. Some of the strongest environmentalists I know are also some of the most vocal proponents of new copper and nickel mining. We must lend more trust to businesses and individuals to be good stewards of the land.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
After serving on the House Infrastructure Committee in the 115th Congress, I understand we need to rebuild our infrastructure, especially the Highway Trust Fund. We also must do it in a way that is fiscally responsible, cutting unnecessary expenditures (such as massive light rail projects) across the country and implementing programs such as an Asset Recycling Fund, which could deliver upwards of $1 trillion of new infrastructure at a fraction of the cost. Under a program like this, with initial funding of just $100 billion, the federal government could incentivize state and local governments to sell off or lease underperforming assets by offering a bonus to any unit of government on a first come, first serve basis. The only condition: all revenue from the sale or lease of government property must be used to build new infrastructure, whether roads, sewers or bridges.
Immigration: Immigration reform continues to languish at the federal level. What should be the principles of any legislation?
As Jack Kemp once said, we have to close the back door of illegal immigration to open the front door of legal immigration. And that’s why I supported the two Goodlatte bills which fixed the DREAMer situation once and for all, the Flores consent decree, and expanded work visas in exchange for controlling immigration. I also support finishing the wall.
Foreign trade: Do you support the president’s actions on international trade? Long term, will they help or hurt the U.S. economy?
Whether it’s China Phase 1 or the USMCA, I was proud to work with the President in Congress on scrapping decades-old bad trade deals that hollowed out the middle class, hurt our farmers, and all but destroyed American manufacturing. Democrats like my opponent needlessly delayed the USMCA’s passage, and sadly Minnesota’s middle class families, manufacturers and farmers are paying the price.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address?
I still believe there is far more good about America than bad. I believe there is no challenge the United States of America can not meet and face while still holding true to our values and principles.
Senator Smith on the other hand sides with the radical defund the police movement and says the role that police play in society is "dangerously wrong." She would sooner throw her lot in with the Green New Dealers than stand in support of new logging, pipelines, and safe/responsible mines in the Northland. I helped President Trump cut taxes and regulations, Tina stands with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris who have pledged to increase our taxes by $4 trillion dollars. I have fought for fairer trade deals that will help our farmers and manufacturers. I will also get tough on China, while Senator Smith continues to raise campaign money from corporations that outsource jobs there. I support confirming judges who believe in life, the Second Amendment, and protecting freedom of speech. Senator Smith does not.
Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
Senator Smith and I come from very different backgrounds and walks of life. I spent a lot of my early years working for the family business. We owned a machine shop and I spent a lot of time on the road selling automotive aftermarket parts. When my dad retired I took over the family business, later going into broadcasting and enjoying a long and successful career as a radio host discussing public affairs and hearing folks' concerns each and every day .
Senator Smith has spent her career as a corporate executive, a former Vice President of Planned Parenthood, and has been a politician for the last 14 years. I believe I have more real world experience and therefore a better perspective with which to help govern than Tina Smith does.
If we are to use the metric of bills passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, the 115th Congress, of which I was a part, was one of the most productive sessions of Congress in our nation's history. I was proud to have helped pass historic tax cuts through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, I authored and sponsored landmark bipartisan juvenile justice reform, and I co-sponsored and passed a bill providing historic levels of support to Career and Technical Education. Too many young folks (and their parents) are going into debt to fund four year degrees that sometimes provide little utility. Growing the middle class means we need to provide more resources and encourage people to go into farming and the trades, and ensure they are able to thrive doing so.
As a husband and the loving father of two daughters who are now all grown up and out of the house, I want to be a force for order and for good in the midst of all the chaos and turmoil that is unfolding in our state and country. I believe that starts with immediately confirming a new Supreme Court justice. I want to leave Minnesota and the United States a better state and nation than I found it, for your kids and grandkids and mine. I would be honored to have your support.
Every year, politicians of both parties come to you and say “this is the most important election of our lifetime.” I’m running for the United States Senate because 2020 truly is the most important. This election has become a referendum on our American values and way of life. When a mainstream political party and its standard bearers are pushing to defund the police, it’s safe to say that something is dangerously wrong and Minnesotans need a voice who will stand up and fight for them and protect them. Not only will I fund the police and punish those who don’t, I stand in favor of putting Minnesota and American jobs first, at the expense of globalist policies of the past (like NAFTA) that shipped jobs overseas and hurt our farmers. We must hold China accountable for exporting the Coronavirus and ensure American corporations stop outsourcing jobs there. I will also protect the tax cuts I helped enact in the 115th Congress. We must also protect our Constitution and appoint and confirm jurists to our federal courts who will protect the freedom of speech and assembly, the 2nd Amendment, and protect against radicals who support late term and even post birth abortion.
Economy: How do you grade the federal government’s response to the pandemic? Are additional measures necessary to spur the economy? If so, what?
Between the China travel ban (which Democrats opposed and decried as xenophobic) and actions taken to shore up medical supplies and resources to “flatten the curve,” the Administration’s approach has proven effective. Having seen a drastic reduction in cases and mortality rates, it’s time to fully reopen our economy. I was all in on “15 days to slow the spread” and its initial extension so that our health care infrastructure could shore up and “flatten the curve.” I have been proposing since April that we lift once and for all this economic lockdown that has plagued and derailed what had previously been the best economy on record, thanks to the tax cuts I helped pass in Congress. Americans indeed need more relief from the fallout surrounding COVID and the lockdown, such as SBA loan forgiveness which I support and my opponent opposes, based on her latest “NO” vote on COVID relief bills.
Police reform: Police reform has become center stage since the George Floyd death and has prompted calls for legislative action at all levels of government. What actions do you support at the federal level?
I know firsthand from marrying a St. Paul police officer that nobody dislikes a bad cop more than a good cop. But to paint with a broad brush and label an entire profession as "rotten to the root" as Ilhan Omar did (who my opponent enthusiastically endorsed), is not only wrong, it's dangerous. Bad cops must be held accountable--that's why I spoke out in favor of Senator Tim Scott's and Congressman Pete Stauber's reform bill, the "JUSTICE Act" while Senator Tina Smith voted against it. But we owe it to the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe, to stand behind them and support them, and I do. That's why I'm proud to have been endorsed by the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.
Foreign affairs: How do you grade President Trump’s foreign policy record?
Which of his initiatives do you support, and which do you oppose? Be specific.
The Trump Doctrine of “America First” is precisely what the American people have been looking for in the post-Cold War era. We protect our allies abroad while disentangling our nation from foreign conflicts that have no direct national security threat to the United States. Trump won in large part by running against globalism and nation building. He has fulfilled that promise and I support that. It’s the difference between a republic and an empire.
Health care: Do you support the expansion of Association Health Plans?
I support Association Health Plans which enable small businesses and the self-employed to compete with larger groups by forming their own pools. I also am proud of my efforts in Congress to reform ACA and lower premiums, deductibles, and drug costs.
We now have two competing visions of what direction health care in America should take. A market-based system of private medicine with a safety net, or a heedless slide into a single-payer government run system.
Democrats now insist the only way to fix the skyrocketing premiums and deductibles that have been foisted upon us by Obamacare (which conservatives like me warned would happen) is to embrace a single payer style healthcare system such as "Medicare For All." Plans such as those supported by my opponent Tina Smith could force up to 50 rural Minnesota hospitals to close.
Lest you believe that more government is the answer to the issue of healthcare, ask Canada and Europe how their care rationing and months-long waiting lists are working out for their citizens.
Education: COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the demands for and delivery of education. What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the global economy?
We are leaving an entire generation of kids behind as we continue to keep millions of them out of school with this never-ending, one size fits all lockdown. It’s imperative that we get our kids back in school safely, and I would fight for that as U.S. Senator. On the other hand, my opponent Tina Smith has blocked COVID relief bills three times. The most recent iteration of COVID relief that she blocked in the Senate contained money to help get kids safely back in school.
Energy: Is the United States doing enough to reduce carbon emissions? What can the federal government do to promote homegrown energy?
Under President Trump, for the first time, the United States of America is a net energy exporter. In order to promote homegrown energy, we need only continue the pro-growth, pro-energy policies promoted by the President and myself when I served in the 115th Congress. I would hate to see this progress reversed because we gave in to the short- sighted whims of radicals pushing proposals like the Green New Deal. I don’t believe in hamstringing our economy and putting us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other nations who have no intention of meaningfully reducing emissions.
That’s not to say our nation’s energy policy should be heedless of concern pertaining to emissions and the environment. We need to continue to foster the surge we’ve seen in clean fracking. I have been a vocal and forceful advocate for the Enbridge Line 3 replacement pipeline which would create 8,600 jobs in Minnesota and generate more than $19 million dollars in local property tax revenue. And yet, Minnesota Democrats throw hurdle after hurdle in its way, which is surprising considering the pipeline is so old and dilapidated that it can only operate at 50% capacity.
Protecting our land, water, and air and supporting our job creators and businesses are not mutually exclusive. Take the Minnesota Iron Range for example. Some of the strongest environmentalists I know are also some of the most vocal proponents of new copper and nickel mining. We must lend more trust to businesses and individuals to be good stewards of the land.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
After serving on the House Infrastructure Committee in the 115th Congress, I understand we need to rebuild our infrastructure, especially the Highway Trust Fund. We also must do it in a way that is fiscally responsible, cutting unnecessary expenditures (such as massive light rail projects) across the country and implementing programs such as an Asset Recycling Fund, which could deliver upwards of $1 trillion of new infrastructure at a fraction of the cost. Under a program like this, with initial funding of just $100 billion, the federal government could incentivize state and local governments to sell off or lease underperforming assets by offering a bonus to any unit of government on a first come, first serve basis. The only condition: all revenue from the sale or lease of government property must be used to build new infrastructure, whether roads, sewers or bridges.
Immigration: Immigration reform continues to languish at the federal level. What should be the principles of any legislation?
As Jack Kemp once said, we have to close the back door of illegal immigration to open the front door of legal immigration. And that’s why I supported the two Goodlatte bills which fixed the DREAMer situation once and for all, the Flores consent decree, and expanded work visas in exchange for controlling immigration. I also support finishing the wall.
Foreign trade: Do you support the president’s actions on international trade? Long term, will they help or hurt the U.S. economy?
Whether it’s China Phase 1 or the USMCA, I was proud to work with the President in Congress on scrapping decades-old bad trade deals that hollowed out the middle class, hurt our farmers, and all but destroyed American manufacturing. Democrats like my opponent needlessly delayed the USMCA’s passage, and sadly Minnesota’s middle class families, manufacturers and farmers are paying the price.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address?
I still believe there is far more good about America than bad. I believe there is no challenge the United States of America can not meet and face while still holding true to our values and principles.
Senator Smith on the other hand sides with the radical defund the police movement and says the role that police play in society is "dangerously wrong." She would sooner throw her lot in with the Green New Dealers than stand in support of new logging, pipelines, and safe/responsible mines in the Northland. I helped President Trump cut taxes and regulations, Tina stands with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris who have pledged to increase our taxes by $4 trillion dollars. I have fought for fairer trade deals that will help our farmers and manufacturers. I will also get tough on China, while Senator Smith continues to raise campaign money from corporations that outsource jobs there. I support confirming judges who believe in life, the Second Amendment, and protecting freedom of speech. Senator Smith does not.
Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
Senator Smith and I come from very different backgrounds and walks of life. I spent a lot of my early years working for the family business. We owned a machine shop and I spent a lot of time on the road selling automotive aftermarket parts. When my dad retired I took over the family business, later going into broadcasting and enjoying a long and successful career as a radio host discussing public affairs and hearing folks' concerns each and every day .
Senator Smith has spent her career as a corporate executive, a former Vice President of Planned Parenthood, and has been a politician for the last 14 years. I believe I have more real world experience and therefore a better perspective with which to help govern than Tina Smith does.
If we are to use the metric of bills passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, the 115th Congress, of which I was a part, was one of the most productive sessions of Congress in our nation's history. I was proud to have helped pass historic tax cuts through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, I authored and sponsored landmark bipartisan juvenile justice reform, and I co-sponsored and passed a bill providing historic levels of support to Career and Technical Education. Too many young folks (and their parents) are going into debt to fund four year degrees that sometimes provide little utility. Growing the middle class means we need to provide more resources and encourage people to go into farming and the trades, and ensure they are able to thrive doing so.
As a husband and the loving father of two daughters who are now all grown up and out of the house, I want to be a force for order and for good in the midst of all the chaos and turmoil that is unfolding in our state and country. I believe that starts with immediately confirming a new Supreme Court justice. I want to leave Minnesota and the United States a better state and nation than I found it, for your kids and grandkids and mine. I would be honored to have your support.
CONGRESS / SENATE – SMITH
Top priority: If elected, what is your top priority for the 2021 Congress? Why are you running for office?
I am running for re-election to continue to fight for all Minnesotans. The rising cost of
health care, especially prescription drugs, is the number one issue that I hear about from Minnesotans, which is why the first thing I did when I arrived in the Senate was take on the big pharmaceutical companies. And it’s why I passed into law my bipartisan bill to help lower the cost of insulin.
But this year has been especially challenging. Between the coronavirus pandemic that has shaken the foundation of many Minnesota families and businesses, and the murder of George Floyd right here in Minnesota, we have so much more work to do to build back
better and to address the systemic racism in our society.
Economy: How do you grade the federal government’s response to the pandemic? Are additional measures necessary to spur the economy? If so, what?
In the Senate, I helped pass the CARES Act , a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill that included
$1,200 per adult/$500 per child in direct cash payments to individual Americans,
enhanced unemployment benefits, the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The package also included nearly $340 billion in aid to state and local
governments, billions to hospitals and our health care systems, and several other key
provisions that helped address the fallout of the economic shutdown.
But more must be done. It’s time for Mitch McConnell to quit blocking additional relief
and bring up the House-passed HEROES Act for a vote. This would include more direct assistance to individual Americans, businesses, and state and local governments, as well as much-needed aid for the Postal Service.
Police reform: Police reform has become center stage since the George Floyd death and has prompted calls for legislative action at all levels of government. What actions do you support at the federal level?
The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others have underscored the dire need to systematically reform policing at the local, state, and federal levels. All Minnesotans--including Black, Brown, and Indigenous Minnesotans--should have the
right to feel safe in their communities, and that includes when interacting with police. To do this, we must reimagine policing to ensure that de-escalation and community
engagement are at the forefront of decisions and training. I helped introduce the Justice in Policing Act , which would change the culture of departments by holding police accountable, improving police training and practices, making lynching a federal hate crime, and making it a federal crime to conspire to violate existing federal laws.
I also wrote the Supporting Innovation in Public Safety Act , which would help state,
local, and Tribal governments reimagine policing in their communities by funding
innovative projects and best practices to transform how we deliver public safety and other social services.
Foreign affairs: How do you grade President Trump’s foreign policy record? Which of his initiatives do you support, and which do you oppose? Be specific.
I am thankful everyday for the role that our brave servicemembers play in preserving peace and stability around the world.
Over the past four years, President Trump has moved our foreign policy in the wrong
direction by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, cozying up to dictators, and turning a blind eye to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and Russia’s ongoing interference in our elections. As a result, our credibility on the world stage has been diminished.
Health care: Do you support the expansion of Association Health Plans?
I support expanding access to affordable health care by improving on the Affordable Care Act and by addressing the underlying issues that drive health care costs, such as the exorbitant prices of prescription drugs. I do not support expanding loopholes to make it
easier for insurers to sell Americans “plans” that lack many of the consumer protections provided by the ACA like coverage of essential health benefits.
We have heard too many stories of Minnesotans rationing their prescriptions due to the astronomical price tags of many life-saving medications. This should be unheard of in America. I have a track record of working across the aisle, and one example of this is my bipartisan law that helps lower the price of insulin and brings low-cost insulin products to
market.
Education : COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the demands for and delivery of education.What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the
global economy?
We must continue to pass legislation and provide relief to individuals and businesses, ensure accessible COVID-19 testing to keep workplaces safe, and work across the aisle to make sure we build back better than before. Graduates are now in the unique position of job searching in a pandemic, and it is on us to ensure that businesses get the support they need to continue to hire and grow our economy.
Energy: Is the United States doing enough to reduce carbon emissions? What can the federal government do to promote homegrown energy?
We are at an inflection point and the science is clear: we must make big and bold steps to address the climate crisis immediately. I believe the U.S. must be a leader in this fight.
In the Senate, I wrote legislation to create a federal clean energy standard and set us up to achieve net-zero emissions from the electric sector by 2050. We must continue to support bills like this to ensure that our grandchildren have a safe planet to live on. I’ve also fought to protect Lake Superior from cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, I’ve
pushed back on the Trump Administration’s reckless repeal of environmental protections.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
I support immediate investments at the federal level to rebuild our nation’s crumbling roads, bridges, ports and harbors, schools, airports, and rural infrastructure. To this end, I’ve called on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to allow a vote on the Moving Forward Act , which would dramatically increase funding to repair our roads; direct billions to
water projects, affordable housing, broadband, and schools; and upgrade hospitals and Postal Service trucks.
Immigration: Immigration reform continues to languish at the federal level. What should be the principles of any legislation?
Our immigration system is broken and in desperate need of reform. It’s long past time we enact comprehensive immigration reform that provides permanent solutions and reflects the values of our nation, like a clear pathway to citizenship and reasonable measures to secure the border.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve worked on several pieces of legislation with those
goals in mind. For example, I successfully secured passage of a law, which I helped
write, to provide thousands of Liberian immigrants with a pathway to citizenship so they would no longer need to depend on the President to renew their Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status every few months or years.
I will continue to fight back against the harmful policies of the Trump Administration like family separation and detaining children in cages.
Foreign trade: Do you support the president’s actions on international trade? Long term, will they help or hurt the U.S. economy?
We need fair trade policies that help workers, businesses, and farmers in Minnesota. That means standing up to countries like China when they violate international trade rules, but President Trump’s trade wars lack any apparent strategy and have resulted in chaos and uncertainty for Minnesota’s ag producers instead of the stability that they need. I successfully pushed for improvements to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), including tougher worker protections and measures to improve our trading relationships and protect Minnesota farmers--especially dairy farmers. We must take a more thoughtful approach to trade policy than that of the current administration.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address? Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
I am proud of the work I’ve done before being elected to the Senate. I moved to Minnesota and started my own business, became a leader at Planned Parenthood, Chief of Staff for the Mayor of
Minneapolis, and then Chief of Staff for Governor Mark Dayton. After serving as Chief of Staff, I was elected Lieutenant Governor alongside Governor Dayton. Together, we balanced the state
budget, expanded investments in education, raised Minnesota’s minimum wage, expanded family medical leave for state employees, invested in agricultural research, passed marriage equality in Minnesota, and much more.
As Senator, I have a track record of working across the aisle to get things done, like helping pass the bipartisan Farm Bill, securing free COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and ensuring rural cooperatives can continue efforts to expand broadband. I am running for re-election to continue working across the aisle to get things done for all Minnesotans.
I am running for re-election to continue to fight for all Minnesotans. The rising cost of
health care, especially prescription drugs, is the number one issue that I hear about from Minnesotans, which is why the first thing I did when I arrived in the Senate was take on the big pharmaceutical companies. And it’s why I passed into law my bipartisan bill to help lower the cost of insulin.
But this year has been especially challenging. Between the coronavirus pandemic that has shaken the foundation of many Minnesota families and businesses, and the murder of George Floyd right here in Minnesota, we have so much more work to do to build back
better and to address the systemic racism in our society.
Economy: How do you grade the federal government’s response to the pandemic? Are additional measures necessary to spur the economy? If so, what?
In the Senate, I helped pass the CARES Act , a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill that included
$1,200 per adult/$500 per child in direct cash payments to individual Americans,
enhanced unemployment benefits, the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The package also included nearly $340 billion in aid to state and local
governments, billions to hospitals and our health care systems, and several other key
provisions that helped address the fallout of the economic shutdown.
But more must be done. It’s time for Mitch McConnell to quit blocking additional relief
and bring up the House-passed HEROES Act for a vote. This would include more direct assistance to individual Americans, businesses, and state and local governments, as well as much-needed aid for the Postal Service.
Police reform: Police reform has become center stage since the George Floyd death and has prompted calls for legislative action at all levels of government. What actions do you support at the federal level?
The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others have underscored the dire need to systematically reform policing at the local, state, and federal levels. All Minnesotans--including Black, Brown, and Indigenous Minnesotans--should have the
right to feel safe in their communities, and that includes when interacting with police. To do this, we must reimagine policing to ensure that de-escalation and community
engagement are at the forefront of decisions and training. I helped introduce the Justice in Policing Act , which would change the culture of departments by holding police accountable, improving police training and practices, making lynching a federal hate crime, and making it a federal crime to conspire to violate existing federal laws.
I also wrote the Supporting Innovation in Public Safety Act , which would help state,
local, and Tribal governments reimagine policing in their communities by funding
innovative projects and best practices to transform how we deliver public safety and other social services.
Foreign affairs: How do you grade President Trump’s foreign policy record? Which of his initiatives do you support, and which do you oppose? Be specific.
I am thankful everyday for the role that our brave servicemembers play in preserving peace and stability around the world.
Over the past four years, President Trump has moved our foreign policy in the wrong
direction by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, cozying up to dictators, and turning a blind eye to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and Russia’s ongoing interference in our elections. As a result, our credibility on the world stage has been diminished.
Health care: Do you support the expansion of Association Health Plans?
I support expanding access to affordable health care by improving on the Affordable Care Act and by addressing the underlying issues that drive health care costs, such as the exorbitant prices of prescription drugs. I do not support expanding loopholes to make it
easier for insurers to sell Americans “plans” that lack many of the consumer protections provided by the ACA like coverage of essential health benefits.
We have heard too many stories of Minnesotans rationing their prescriptions due to the astronomical price tags of many life-saving medications. This should be unheard of in America. I have a track record of working across the aisle, and one example of this is my bipartisan law that helps lower the price of insulin and brings low-cost insulin products to
market.
Education : COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the demands for and delivery of education.What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the
global economy?
We must continue to pass legislation and provide relief to individuals and businesses, ensure accessible COVID-19 testing to keep workplaces safe, and work across the aisle to make sure we build back better than before. Graduates are now in the unique position of job searching in a pandemic, and it is on us to ensure that businesses get the support they need to continue to hire and grow our economy.
Energy: Is the United States doing enough to reduce carbon emissions? What can the federal government do to promote homegrown energy?
We are at an inflection point and the science is clear: we must make big and bold steps to address the climate crisis immediately. I believe the U.S. must be a leader in this fight.
In the Senate, I wrote legislation to create a federal clean energy standard and set us up to achieve net-zero emissions from the electric sector by 2050. We must continue to support bills like this to ensure that our grandchildren have a safe planet to live on. I’ve also fought to protect Lake Superior from cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, I’ve
pushed back on the Trump Administration’s reckless repeal of environmental protections.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
I support immediate investments at the federal level to rebuild our nation’s crumbling roads, bridges, ports and harbors, schools, airports, and rural infrastructure. To this end, I’ve called on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to allow a vote on the Moving Forward Act , which would dramatically increase funding to repair our roads; direct billions to
water projects, affordable housing, broadband, and schools; and upgrade hospitals and Postal Service trucks.
Immigration: Immigration reform continues to languish at the federal level. What should be the principles of any legislation?
Our immigration system is broken and in desperate need of reform. It’s long past time we enact comprehensive immigration reform that provides permanent solutions and reflects the values of our nation, like a clear pathway to citizenship and reasonable measures to secure the border.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve worked on several pieces of legislation with those
goals in mind. For example, I successfully secured passage of a law, which I helped
write, to provide thousands of Liberian immigrants with a pathway to citizenship so they would no longer need to depend on the President to renew their Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status every few months or years.
I will continue to fight back against the harmful policies of the Trump Administration like family separation and detaining children in cages.
Foreign trade: Do you support the president’s actions on international trade? Long term, will they help or hurt the U.S. economy?
We need fair trade policies that help workers, businesses, and farmers in Minnesota. That means standing up to countries like China when they violate international trade rules, but President Trump’s trade wars lack any apparent strategy and have resulted in chaos and uncertainty for Minnesota’s ag producers instead of the stability that they need. I successfully pushed for improvements to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), including tougher worker protections and measures to improve our trading relationships and protect Minnesota farmers--especially dairy farmers. We must take a more thoughtful approach to trade policy than that of the current administration.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address? Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
I am proud of the work I’ve done before being elected to the Senate. I moved to Minnesota and started my own business, became a leader at Planned Parenthood, Chief of Staff for the Mayor of
Minneapolis, and then Chief of Staff for Governor Mark Dayton. After serving as Chief of Staff, I was elected Lieutenant Governor alongside Governor Dayton. Together, we balanced the state
budget, expanded investments in education, raised Minnesota’s minimum wage, expanded family medical leave for state employees, invested in agricultural research, passed marriage equality in Minnesota, and much more.
As Senator, I have a track record of working across the aisle to get things done, like helping pass the bipartisan Farm Bill, securing free COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and ensuring rural cooperatives can continue efforts to expand broadband. I am running for re-election to continue working across the aisle to get things done for all Minnesotans.
CONGRESS / HOUSE – ZAHRADKA
Top priority: If elected, what is your top priority for the 2021 Congress? Why are you running for office?
I look at it this way, if we don't have our health, we don't have anything. The physical and financial health of the country, planet and individuals are intertwined and create the platform for all other issues to be resolved. Without a healthy population and planet, we are severely weakened and without financial stability, we have few tools to deal with these or any other problems which beset us. My top priority would therefore be the stabilization of this country through efficient management of our resources, both physical and financial, which cannot be accomplished without a comprehensive plan to harness and rein in this Pandemic. We need a cohesive, "one for all, all for one" approach which unites rather than divides, facilitates the return to caring for rather than attacking one another. We further need to streamline our approach and seal up loopholes which allow billionaires to apply for programs meant to help small business and individuals in need, absconding with our tax dollars for their own greed. They should also be made to return any money they inappropriately procured in this manner.
I am running for Congress because I am sick and tired of the imbalance and inequality in all facets of today’s society. Women should not continue to make .21 cents less on the dollar, the blue-collar worker who puts in a full day of work should be able to enjoy the basics of life, healthcare, food security, and an affordable, safe place to live. People of all races, creeds and religions should enjoy the same freedoms and protections that our Constitution mandates.
Economy: How do you grade the federal government’s response to the pandemic? Are additional measures necessary to spur the economy? If so, what?
Our federal government’s response is the epitome of failure, thus my F grade. Americans comprise 4% of the global population yet have 25% of the Covid-19 cases. America needs a coherent, cohesive united approach to expediate the control of this virus and put it behind us, not political disinformation, confusing rhetoric, and divisive language. We need to follow science-based facts to attain a solution to end the pandemic. Adequate, timely rebuilding of our economy requires efficient spending, managing our assistance programs with targeted recipients in mind. We need to make sure
those who would fall through the cracks are taken care of and nobody is left behind as well as abolition and steep penalties for wealthy opportunistic corporations and individuals who raid and abuse assistance programs. I believe there is enough money to carry people through this health crisis, stimulate the economy and come out the other side in good shape. We need to monitor our dollars closely and not allow a single taxpayer dollar to be unaccounted for by our Congress. No president should have unfettered power to funnel Federal funds to himself and his cronies.
Police reform: Police reform has become center stage since the George Floyd death and has prompted calls for legislative action at all levels of government. What actions do you support at the federal level?
George Floyd’s death is an unthinkable tragedy and the collective heart of Minnesota aches for this man and his family. Sadly, this is not the first black eye Minnesota has endured in the National spotlight, but it must be the last. Unfortunately, terminology in the police reform effort has been greatly misunderstood. Language about police de-funding has been widely disseminated as an end to policing. No reasonable person, including myself, would ever lobby for abolishing the police department or abdicating the responsibility of government to protect their citizenry from harm or provide crisis assistance and intervention. This assistance costs money, of course, and that money should be provided. Once again, we must ensure that these funds are used prudently, that the human beings in that department fully understand the purpose of their jobs and have a disposition and mindset to honor their commitment to that aim. There must be a ready remedy for corruption within police departments, no matter the seniority, and a mindset within the culture that encourages mass disapproval of bullying and abuse of power. Incentives should be based on the ability to work with the community, de-escalate situations peacefully, and treat all people humanely to gain respect from those they serve rather than awarding raises based on arrest numbers. The goal should be common respect and courtesy for and by the police. I believe we can all agree on that.
Foreign affairs: How do you grade President Trump’s foreign policy record? Which of his initiatives do you support, and which do you oppose? Be specific.
Our president’s foreign policy record is abysmal. His embrace of dictators while shunning our allies has made us less safe and has opened the door to opportunities
for dangerous despots to infiltrate and manipulate our country from within. There is virtually nothing this administration has done globally that has benefitted the United States of America or the world at large in any meaningful way, and in fact, the current administration has demoted our authority in the eyes of the world. America’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, Chinese tariffs and embargo threats have been a disaster for our country. These bad decisions have driven up the price of goods for everyday Americans and crippled our farmers. The abusive treatment of the World Health Organization, who tried to warn us, and whose warning was dismissed had dangerous consequences. The undermining of our important relationship with NATO Allies was appalling. The divisive move of the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move which caused more than a thousand deaths in the protest was intentionally provocative. The gut-wrenching abandonment of the Kurds, our brave and loyal allies who fought side by side with our soldiers left them to run for their lives with only the clothes on their backs while Isis prisoners were freed and Russia, Turkey and Syria rolled in to undo everything America, for decades, fought for. Our president’s outrageous praise of Kim Jong Un who tortured and killed Otto Warmbier and so many other innocents is sickening. His behavior at the United Nations and every other World Summit he has attended has been an utter embarrassment to our country. Nothing eclipses his most egregious action of all, the breaking of international laws in order to perpetuate inhumane treatment on innocent babies and children. Ripping children from their parents' arms at the border who are legal asylum seekers, while branding them all criminals, and making no effort whatsoever to take measures to ensure their ability to ever be reunited as families, creates an entire generation of children who will be traumatized and damaged for a lifetime.
Health care: Do you support the expansion of Association Health Plans?
While on their face, AHPs seem like a good idea, I am very leery and skeptical of them as, too often, they become an end-run around the protections put in place by the ACA. In some cases, people have been lured in by lower premiums and a promise of minimal standard care, only to find out that they are discriminated against for pre-existing conditions. These AHP’s are geared to younger, healthier people, but payments can be denied for reasons not often highlighted in the pitch to join. High-risk people are left in the lurch and should stick to the ACA programs to ensure fair coverage. If AHPs wish to continue expanding, I feel they should be held to the same standards as the ACA.
Education: COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the demands for and delivery of education. What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the global economy?
If I said I had a perfect answer to this question, I would be lying. We are all struggling to figure out the best approaches to this unprecedented experiment. I think the greatest challenge is equity in education for a staggering number of diverse scenarios. How do we ensure that all receive a quality education? How do we guarantee that online education is sustainable for younger children with lower attention spans? What would be the best approach at the end of this crisis to equalize levels of education among a group of children who have received such widely varying versions of learning? I think we will need to give some sort of standards tests at the end of this crisis, not to judge and not to be held against children, but to analyze where they need help. We will likely need some funding for in-class aides who can create breakout groups which can focus on specific areas where the deficiencies lie. We will figure this out together, that is what Americans do.
Energy: Is the United States doing enough to reduce carbon emissions? What can the federal government do to promote homegrown energy?
I feel that we were on the right track in reducing carbon emissions but have taken a giant step backward during this administration. We have critical work to do and no time to waste. We are in trouble whether we recognize it or not and the failure to acknowledge the state of this planet is at our peril. I think we need to quit giving huge subsidies to oil companies and other fossil fuel industries. Providing actual corporate welfare for those who make more money than any other industry in the history of the world makes no sense. Instead, we need to reward innovation and give farmers and laborers the tools and financial backing to expand into the clean energies of the future, giving them a base of income that would sustain them through leaner market years. Further, we need to ensure a smooth transition for workers who may lose their jobs because of the changing demand in the energy sector. Minnesota miners should not lose one day of income while their job transitions. They should be paid while in training for a new job which expands their skill set, increases their income, and improves their own outlook for good health and the health of our planet.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
Streamlining our transportation into a smoother operating system has further reaching implications and effects than most people realize. Think, for instance, of the frustration level people feel as they sit in traffic for hours each day. What could people do with another hour for their family, business or leisure? What effects might that have on their well-being, overall health and productivity? The government benefits in so many positive ways from every dollar spent on infrastructure. From the railroads to the Interstate Highway System, infrastructure is a success story every time. It costs far more to clean up a crisis such as the infamous Minneapolis bridge collapse than it does to implement prevention. Keeping this country running smoothly creates jobs, facilitates commerce, gives people peace of mind, contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gasses and instills civic pride. I believe that all forward-thinking projects should be considered strongly for federal support, that all projects should be open to the bidding process and that companies should be rewarded not only because they bid the lowest, but for innovative approaches as well.
Immigration: Immigration reform continues to languish at the federal level. What should be the principles of any legislation?
This is a question that should be answered with our heart every bit as much as our mind. First and foremost, every decision needs to be put to this one litmus test: Is it humane? As a country of immigrants, it would be hypocritical to approach it any other way. I have some innovative ideas in this arena. I think applicants should be paired with the needs of the farms who rely on their labor, up front, not under the table. I believe that farmers should register with the border processors, letting them know their needs and capacity to care for and provide housing for workers. We could quickly streamline the immigration process in this manner while meeting the needs of our food suppliers. It would be a win/win for all of us and people would not have to live in the shadows. This is only one scenario. Of course, there are other industries who rely on this labor, jobs Americans don't generally want to do. Even our president hires approximately 75 undocumented workers every year for seasonal work. Let's stop pretending we don't need them and give them dignity while they do necessary work. Further, with proof of productivity and a history of being good stewards of our country and our principles, there should be a path to citizenship for those who make our country better. Our decisions should be based on capacity and need rather than demonization. I have a lot more great ideas for how immigrants could revive our abandoned factories and ghost towns, taking the decaying remains of these communities and making them beautiful again, restoring purpose to these towns while bringing back manufacturing to our own country.
Foreign trade: Do you support the president’s actions on international trade? Long term, will they help or hurt the U.S. economy?
We definitely needed an overhaul in our International Trade practices, but our president has done more damage than good. The theft of our intellectual property by China and others is inexcusable and should be stopped as a precedent to further trade relations. However, we do no good by insulting and demonizing those we wish to trade with. We need to come to the trade table with good will. We need to stop thinking in absolutes as the world is no longer a place where we can live in isolation. We need each other and like all relationships, we can work out better solutions when we approach our partners with warm and welcoming attitudes, even as we let them know we are savvy and no fools.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address?
I truly believe it is time we value the everyday working man and woman as much as we value our billionaires. They are the backbone of America and no company can survive without them. Our small towns should be treasured, our veterans and elderly awarded dignity, and our children should be seen as the precious resources they are. No working person should be robbed of the dignity of being able to provide the basics for his or her family, things like food, housing, transportation and daycare. We need to acknowledge the contributions of every single person as valuable. As Americans we all should have an avenue, with hard work, to thrive.
Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
Tawnja is a University Of North Dakota Communications Graduate, a 25-year Minnesota Business Owner, a Survivor of Workplace Discrimination, a Passionate Environmental Activist, and an Equal Rights Advocate. Tawnja Accepts No Corporate PAC, Fossil Fuel or Big Pharma Campaign Money. Tawnja is National & Local AFLCIO Endorsed.
I look at it this way, if we don't have our health, we don't have anything. The physical and financial health of the country, planet and individuals are intertwined and create the platform for all other issues to be resolved. Without a healthy population and planet, we are severely weakened and without financial stability, we have few tools to deal with these or any other problems which beset us. My top priority would therefore be the stabilization of this country through efficient management of our resources, both physical and financial, which cannot be accomplished without a comprehensive plan to harness and rein in this Pandemic. We need a cohesive, "one for all, all for one" approach which unites rather than divides, facilitates the return to caring for rather than attacking one another. We further need to streamline our approach and seal up loopholes which allow billionaires to apply for programs meant to help small business and individuals in need, absconding with our tax dollars for their own greed. They should also be made to return any money they inappropriately procured in this manner.
I am running for Congress because I am sick and tired of the imbalance and inequality in all facets of today’s society. Women should not continue to make .21 cents less on the dollar, the blue-collar worker who puts in a full day of work should be able to enjoy the basics of life, healthcare, food security, and an affordable, safe place to live. People of all races, creeds and religions should enjoy the same freedoms and protections that our Constitution mandates.
Economy: How do you grade the federal government’s response to the pandemic? Are additional measures necessary to spur the economy? If so, what?
Our federal government’s response is the epitome of failure, thus my F grade. Americans comprise 4% of the global population yet have 25% of the Covid-19 cases. America needs a coherent, cohesive united approach to expediate the control of this virus and put it behind us, not political disinformation, confusing rhetoric, and divisive language. We need to follow science-based facts to attain a solution to end the pandemic. Adequate, timely rebuilding of our economy requires efficient spending, managing our assistance programs with targeted recipients in mind. We need to make sure
those who would fall through the cracks are taken care of and nobody is left behind as well as abolition and steep penalties for wealthy opportunistic corporations and individuals who raid and abuse assistance programs. I believe there is enough money to carry people through this health crisis, stimulate the economy and come out the other side in good shape. We need to monitor our dollars closely and not allow a single taxpayer dollar to be unaccounted for by our Congress. No president should have unfettered power to funnel Federal funds to himself and his cronies.
Police reform: Police reform has become center stage since the George Floyd death and has prompted calls for legislative action at all levels of government. What actions do you support at the federal level?
George Floyd’s death is an unthinkable tragedy and the collective heart of Minnesota aches for this man and his family. Sadly, this is not the first black eye Minnesota has endured in the National spotlight, but it must be the last. Unfortunately, terminology in the police reform effort has been greatly misunderstood. Language about police de-funding has been widely disseminated as an end to policing. No reasonable person, including myself, would ever lobby for abolishing the police department or abdicating the responsibility of government to protect their citizenry from harm or provide crisis assistance and intervention. This assistance costs money, of course, and that money should be provided. Once again, we must ensure that these funds are used prudently, that the human beings in that department fully understand the purpose of their jobs and have a disposition and mindset to honor their commitment to that aim. There must be a ready remedy for corruption within police departments, no matter the seniority, and a mindset within the culture that encourages mass disapproval of bullying and abuse of power. Incentives should be based on the ability to work with the community, de-escalate situations peacefully, and treat all people humanely to gain respect from those they serve rather than awarding raises based on arrest numbers. The goal should be common respect and courtesy for and by the police. I believe we can all agree on that.
Foreign affairs: How do you grade President Trump’s foreign policy record? Which of his initiatives do you support, and which do you oppose? Be specific.
Our president’s foreign policy record is abysmal. His embrace of dictators while shunning our allies has made us less safe and has opened the door to opportunities
for dangerous despots to infiltrate and manipulate our country from within. There is virtually nothing this administration has done globally that has benefitted the United States of America or the world at large in any meaningful way, and in fact, the current administration has demoted our authority in the eyes of the world. America’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, Chinese tariffs and embargo threats have been a disaster for our country. These bad decisions have driven up the price of goods for everyday Americans and crippled our farmers. The abusive treatment of the World Health Organization, who tried to warn us, and whose warning was dismissed had dangerous consequences. The undermining of our important relationship with NATO Allies was appalling. The divisive move of the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move which caused more than a thousand deaths in the protest was intentionally provocative. The gut-wrenching abandonment of the Kurds, our brave and loyal allies who fought side by side with our soldiers left them to run for their lives with only the clothes on their backs while Isis prisoners were freed and Russia, Turkey and Syria rolled in to undo everything America, for decades, fought for. Our president’s outrageous praise of Kim Jong Un who tortured and killed Otto Warmbier and so many other innocents is sickening. His behavior at the United Nations and every other World Summit he has attended has been an utter embarrassment to our country. Nothing eclipses his most egregious action of all, the breaking of international laws in order to perpetuate inhumane treatment on innocent babies and children. Ripping children from their parents' arms at the border who are legal asylum seekers, while branding them all criminals, and making no effort whatsoever to take measures to ensure their ability to ever be reunited as families, creates an entire generation of children who will be traumatized and damaged for a lifetime.
Health care: Do you support the expansion of Association Health Plans?
While on their face, AHPs seem like a good idea, I am very leery and skeptical of them as, too often, they become an end-run around the protections put in place by the ACA. In some cases, people have been lured in by lower premiums and a promise of minimal standard care, only to find out that they are discriminated against for pre-existing conditions. These AHP’s are geared to younger, healthier people, but payments can be denied for reasons not often highlighted in the pitch to join. High-risk people are left in the lurch and should stick to the ACA programs to ensure fair coverage. If AHPs wish to continue expanding, I feel they should be held to the same standards as the ACA.
Education: COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the demands for and delivery of education. What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the global economy?
If I said I had a perfect answer to this question, I would be lying. We are all struggling to figure out the best approaches to this unprecedented experiment. I think the greatest challenge is equity in education for a staggering number of diverse scenarios. How do we ensure that all receive a quality education? How do we guarantee that online education is sustainable for younger children with lower attention spans? What would be the best approach at the end of this crisis to equalize levels of education among a group of children who have received such widely varying versions of learning? I think we will need to give some sort of standards tests at the end of this crisis, not to judge and not to be held against children, but to analyze where they need help. We will likely need some funding for in-class aides who can create breakout groups which can focus on specific areas where the deficiencies lie. We will figure this out together, that is what Americans do.
Energy: Is the United States doing enough to reduce carbon emissions? What can the federal government do to promote homegrown energy?
I feel that we were on the right track in reducing carbon emissions but have taken a giant step backward during this administration. We have critical work to do and no time to waste. We are in trouble whether we recognize it or not and the failure to acknowledge the state of this planet is at our peril. I think we need to quit giving huge subsidies to oil companies and other fossil fuel industries. Providing actual corporate welfare for those who make more money than any other industry in the history of the world makes no sense. Instead, we need to reward innovation and give farmers and laborers the tools and financial backing to expand into the clean energies of the future, giving them a base of income that would sustain them through leaner market years. Further, we need to ensure a smooth transition for workers who may lose their jobs because of the changing demand in the energy sector. Minnesota miners should not lose one day of income while their job transitions. They should be paid while in training for a new job which expands their skill set, increases their income, and improves their own outlook for good health and the health of our planet.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
Streamlining our transportation into a smoother operating system has further reaching implications and effects than most people realize. Think, for instance, of the frustration level people feel as they sit in traffic for hours each day. What could people do with another hour for their family, business or leisure? What effects might that have on their well-being, overall health and productivity? The government benefits in so many positive ways from every dollar spent on infrastructure. From the railroads to the Interstate Highway System, infrastructure is a success story every time. It costs far more to clean up a crisis such as the infamous Minneapolis bridge collapse than it does to implement prevention. Keeping this country running smoothly creates jobs, facilitates commerce, gives people peace of mind, contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gasses and instills civic pride. I believe that all forward-thinking projects should be considered strongly for federal support, that all projects should be open to the bidding process and that companies should be rewarded not only because they bid the lowest, but for innovative approaches as well.
Immigration: Immigration reform continues to languish at the federal level. What should be the principles of any legislation?
This is a question that should be answered with our heart every bit as much as our mind. First and foremost, every decision needs to be put to this one litmus test: Is it humane? As a country of immigrants, it would be hypocritical to approach it any other way. I have some innovative ideas in this arena. I think applicants should be paired with the needs of the farms who rely on their labor, up front, not under the table. I believe that farmers should register with the border processors, letting them know their needs and capacity to care for and provide housing for workers. We could quickly streamline the immigration process in this manner while meeting the needs of our food suppliers. It would be a win/win for all of us and people would not have to live in the shadows. This is only one scenario. Of course, there are other industries who rely on this labor, jobs Americans don't generally want to do. Even our president hires approximately 75 undocumented workers every year for seasonal work. Let's stop pretending we don't need them and give them dignity while they do necessary work. Further, with proof of productivity and a history of being good stewards of our country and our principles, there should be a path to citizenship for those who make our country better. Our decisions should be based on capacity and need rather than demonization. I have a lot more great ideas for how immigrants could revive our abandoned factories and ghost towns, taking the decaying remains of these communities and making them beautiful again, restoring purpose to these towns while bringing back manufacturing to our own country.
Foreign trade: Do you support the president’s actions on international trade? Long term, will they help or hurt the U.S. economy?
We definitely needed an overhaul in our International Trade practices, but our president has done more damage than good. The theft of our intellectual property by China and others is inexcusable and should be stopped as a precedent to further trade relations. However, we do no good by insulting and demonizing those we wish to trade with. We need to come to the trade table with good will. We need to stop thinking in absolutes as the world is no longer a place where we can live in isolation. We need each other and like all relationships, we can work out better solutions when we approach our partners with warm and welcoming attitudes, even as we let them know we are savvy and no fools.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address?
I truly believe it is time we value the everyday working man and woman as much as we value our billionaires. They are the backbone of America and no company can survive without them. Our small towns should be treasured, our veterans and elderly awarded dignity, and our children should be seen as the precious resources they are. No working person should be robbed of the dignity of being able to provide the basics for his or her family, things like food, housing, transportation and daycare. We need to acknowledge the contributions of every single person as valuable. As Americans we all should have an avenue, with hard work, to thrive.
Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
Tawnja is a University Of North Dakota Communications Graduate, a 25-year Minnesota Business Owner, a Survivor of Workplace Discrimination, a Passionate Environmental Activist, and an Equal Rights Advocate. Tawnja Accepts No Corporate PAC, Fossil Fuel or Big Pharma Campaign Money. Tawnja is National & Local AFLCIO Endorsed.
CONGRESS / HOUSE – EMMER
Top priority: If elected, what is your top priority for the 2021 Congress? Why are you running for office?
My priorities for the 2021 Congress will remain focused on helping every Minnesotan access the opportunities they need to be in the best position to succeed. This includes working to rebuild our economy and create jobs, continue to push Congress and the Administration to reduce the federal debt and deficit, and ensure the safety and security of the American people. It is an honor to represent the citizens of Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District and is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I will continue to push for policies that will benefit my constituents in Minnesota and continue to bring their ideas for change to Washington.
Economy: How do you grade the federal government’s response to the pandemic? Are additional measures necessary to spur the economy? If so, what?
COVID-19 continues to have an unprecedented impact on our economy. In the early days of the outbreak, Congress acted swiftly to adopt legislation to support the thousands of businesses and millions of employees in need of assistance. Efforts to establish programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, though not perfect, were stood-up in record time and provided billions in federal relief to thousands of Minnesota businesses. Looking ahead, additional federal support for key sectors of our economy may be needed, however I remain wary of new, multi-trillion dollar spending packages filled with federal mandates that are not targeted to the areas of specific need, rather seek to serve a political agenda. We must continue to direct spending to our teachers and small business owners while providing employers the legal protections they need to safely re-open and encourage their employees to return to work. The actions of the federal government were needed to steer our economy through this crisis, however federal stimulus should not be looked at as a means to supplant the hard work of American businesses and entrepreneurs.
Police reform: Police reform has become center stage since the George Floyd death and has prompted calls for legislative action at all levels of government. What actions do you support at the federal level?
The death of George Floyd was unacceptable and those responsible must be held accountable. I’m working to bring Minnesota-inspired concepts to the national level to improve the way law enforcement engages in the communities they serve. I introduced the Community OutPost (COP) Outreach and Engagement Act (H.R. 7245) to promote the nationwide use of the Community OutPosts to improve community policing. Modeled after the success of the St. Cloud Police Department’s “COP House,” this legislation provides federal resources to promote engagement between local law enforcement officers and the community members they serve. I have also introduced the Abby Honold Act (H.R. 4720) to improve the way law enforcement officers interview victims of sexual assault. Introduced after learning of Abby Honold’s experience with trauma-informed interview techniques following her sexual assault at the University of Minnesota, this legislation promotes the inclusion of trauma-informed training to all law enforcement officers and directs the U.S. Department of Justice to invest in these programs nationwide. These are just two examples of ways I am working to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the people they’re sworn to protect without defunding, dismantling, or demonizing the thousands of hardworking men and women in blue.
Foreign affairs: How do you grade President Trump’s foreign policy record? Which of his initiatives do you support, and which do you oppose? Be specific.
President Trump has led many groundbreaking achievements on foriegn policy. I was proud to support the passage of the USMCA trade agreement which will bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars into the United States. I applauded the President’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to its capital Jerusalem. This was a historic decision, promised by many past administrations, but fulfilled by President Trump. I have also applauded President Trump’s dedication to keeping Americans safe by working to eradicate the Islamic State. He has made historic progress in the global fight against terror, including the deaths of Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi and Qasem Soleimani. President Trump recently brokered a historic peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, becoming the third Arab nation to normalize relations with Israel, our most important ally in the Middle East. However, similar to the President’s historic efforts to open a new chapter in global relations with North Korea, I continue to urge him to take a similar approach with Cuba and chart a new course of engagement with our neighbor 90 miles off of our Florida coast. The Cuban communist regime must be held accountable for their human rights abuses and harboring of U.S. fugitives, however the last 60-years of embargo policy have not resulted in regime change and we should create our own opportunity to find new ways to promote democracy and empower the Cuban people.
Health care: Do you support the expansion of Association Health Plans?
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that approximately four million Americans will be covered by Association Health Plans (AHPs) by 2023. Expanding AHPs allows small businesses owners and individuals to purchase health coverage for their families and employees across state lines and at a much lower cost. This allows for decreased costs, better coverage and protections for those with pre-existing conditions. In addition to AHPs, I have been a long time supporter of the increased use of Health Savings Accounts and have co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation expanding their use and applications. Using tools like these we will be able to ensure that everyone has access to the best, most affordable coverage available.
Education: COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the demands for and delivery of education. What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the global economy?
As a father of seven, I understand that the education system in America should be as diverse and individualized as the students it serves. The best thing we can do for our children is to localize the control of education as much as possible, make immediate and significant investments to provide reliable broadband access for all of our students, and continue to highlight the importance of trade skills and apprenticeship programs. A skilled and competitive workforce is essential to our country's economic growth and our future as a nation.
Energy: Is the United States doing enough to reduce carbon emissions? What can the federal government do to promote homegrown energy?
Minnesotans understand better than most just how delicate the balance is between maintaining our state’s abundant natural resources and encouraging economic output and growth. The Sixth Congressional District is home to many different sources of energy, including the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant. Minnesota is also home to one of the nation’s leading solar energy producers, a second-to-none biofuels industry, and is home to innovative new approaches to energy like biomass and biocrude. When it comes to energy production, I will continue to work in Congress to foster an approach that utilizes our abundant and available resources while reducing our dependence on foreign sourced energy. With the great advancements we have made, America will remain a world leader in energy production and exports.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
For starters, we need to bring more of Minnesota taxpayer dollars to the federal government back to our state. I have worked directly with Secretary Chao to help Anoka County secure a $40 million grant for infrastructure improvements to U.S. highway 10/169. I have also worked with the Administration to bring funding back to Minnesota and the Sixth Congressional District in the form of grants for rural broadband development, $4.4 million for bus and transit improvements, $1,160,000 for the St. Cloud Regional Airport, and nearly $500,000 for the Anoka/Blaine Regional Airport. Bringing our hard earned tax dollars back to our state to invest in our infrastructure is critical. We must also improve the transparency surrounding the grant review and approval process (a delegation effort I joined in December 2019), and streamline the permitting and review process for projects deemed critical in our communities and across our nation.
Immigration: Immigration reform continues to languish at the federal level. What should be the principles of any legislation?
America is both a nation of immigrants and of laws. We need to remain the land of opportunity in order to attract the best and brightest minds from around the world. We also must be a home to those who would seek to legally immigrate here for the promise of a better life. However, we must also have a secure border and enforce the rule of law to ensure the survival of our nation. Any agreement reached at the federal level must contain a balance between security and opportunity.
Foreign trade: Do you support the president’s actions on international trade? Long term, will they help or hurt the U.S. economy?
Trade agreements are critical to driving our nation’s economic growth, creating high-paying jobs, and protecting consumers. President Trump took important steps to improve one of our foundational trade agreements with the replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). USMCA presents numerous new opportunities for Minnesota’s farmers, producers and manufacturers, is expected to generate more than $68 billion in new economic activity, and create more than 175,000 new American jobs. I have long been a proponent of establishing new free trade agreements in an effort to expand our export opportunities, and I support efforts that utilize trade as a means to hold actors like China accountable for rampant intellectual property theft and years of unfair trading practices.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address?
Addressing our nation’s ongoing mental health crisis remains one of my top priorities in Congress. Everyone knows someone who has struggled with some form of mental illness, and concerns about suicide and substance abuse have heightened as we wade through the current COVID pandemic. In Congress, I have introduced the STRESS Act to send funding to States to provide mental health counseling and assistance in rural areas and throughout our agriculture communities. Research has shown an increased prevalence of mental health distress in rural areas and, given the ongoing difficulties our nation’s agriculture industry continues to face, families in rural American need support more than ever. I have also introduced legislation to lift arbitrary regulations on the number of beds a healthcare facility may have to treat those suffering with mental illness. The Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act better enables individuals to get the care they need for the appropriate amount of time it takes to help them overcome their mental illness.
Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
I have served as the Representative of the Sixth Congressional District since 2015. In January of 2019, I was elected Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and currently lead republican campaign efforts to regain a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to serving in Congress, I served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing district 19B for six years. My wife Jacquie and I have seven children and we live in Delano, Minnesota.
My priorities for the 2021 Congress will remain focused on helping every Minnesotan access the opportunities they need to be in the best position to succeed. This includes working to rebuild our economy and create jobs, continue to push Congress and the Administration to reduce the federal debt and deficit, and ensure the safety and security of the American people. It is an honor to represent the citizens of Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District and is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I will continue to push for policies that will benefit my constituents in Minnesota and continue to bring their ideas for change to Washington.
Economy: How do you grade the federal government’s response to the pandemic? Are additional measures necessary to spur the economy? If so, what?
COVID-19 continues to have an unprecedented impact on our economy. In the early days of the outbreak, Congress acted swiftly to adopt legislation to support the thousands of businesses and millions of employees in need of assistance. Efforts to establish programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, though not perfect, were stood-up in record time and provided billions in federal relief to thousands of Minnesota businesses. Looking ahead, additional federal support for key sectors of our economy may be needed, however I remain wary of new, multi-trillion dollar spending packages filled with federal mandates that are not targeted to the areas of specific need, rather seek to serve a political agenda. We must continue to direct spending to our teachers and small business owners while providing employers the legal protections they need to safely re-open and encourage their employees to return to work. The actions of the federal government were needed to steer our economy through this crisis, however federal stimulus should not be looked at as a means to supplant the hard work of American businesses and entrepreneurs.
Police reform: Police reform has become center stage since the George Floyd death and has prompted calls for legislative action at all levels of government. What actions do you support at the federal level?
The death of George Floyd was unacceptable and those responsible must be held accountable. I’m working to bring Minnesota-inspired concepts to the national level to improve the way law enforcement engages in the communities they serve. I introduced the Community OutPost (COP) Outreach and Engagement Act (H.R. 7245) to promote the nationwide use of the Community OutPosts to improve community policing. Modeled after the success of the St. Cloud Police Department’s “COP House,” this legislation provides federal resources to promote engagement between local law enforcement officers and the community members they serve. I have also introduced the Abby Honold Act (H.R. 4720) to improve the way law enforcement officers interview victims of sexual assault. Introduced after learning of Abby Honold’s experience with trauma-informed interview techniques following her sexual assault at the University of Minnesota, this legislation promotes the inclusion of trauma-informed training to all law enforcement officers and directs the U.S. Department of Justice to invest in these programs nationwide. These are just two examples of ways I am working to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the people they’re sworn to protect without defunding, dismantling, or demonizing the thousands of hardworking men and women in blue.
Foreign affairs: How do you grade President Trump’s foreign policy record? Which of his initiatives do you support, and which do you oppose? Be specific.
President Trump has led many groundbreaking achievements on foriegn policy. I was proud to support the passage of the USMCA trade agreement which will bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars into the United States. I applauded the President’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to its capital Jerusalem. This was a historic decision, promised by many past administrations, but fulfilled by President Trump. I have also applauded President Trump’s dedication to keeping Americans safe by working to eradicate the Islamic State. He has made historic progress in the global fight against terror, including the deaths of Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi and Qasem Soleimani. President Trump recently brokered a historic peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, becoming the third Arab nation to normalize relations with Israel, our most important ally in the Middle East. However, similar to the President’s historic efforts to open a new chapter in global relations with North Korea, I continue to urge him to take a similar approach with Cuba and chart a new course of engagement with our neighbor 90 miles off of our Florida coast. The Cuban communist regime must be held accountable for their human rights abuses and harboring of U.S. fugitives, however the last 60-years of embargo policy have not resulted in regime change and we should create our own opportunity to find new ways to promote democracy and empower the Cuban people.
Health care: Do you support the expansion of Association Health Plans?
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that approximately four million Americans will be covered by Association Health Plans (AHPs) by 2023. Expanding AHPs allows small businesses owners and individuals to purchase health coverage for their families and employees across state lines and at a much lower cost. This allows for decreased costs, better coverage and protections for those with pre-existing conditions. In addition to AHPs, I have been a long time supporter of the increased use of Health Savings Accounts and have co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation expanding their use and applications. Using tools like these we will be able to ensure that everyone has access to the best, most affordable coverage available.
Education: COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the demands for and delivery of education. What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the global economy?
As a father of seven, I understand that the education system in America should be as diverse and individualized as the students it serves. The best thing we can do for our children is to localize the control of education as much as possible, make immediate and significant investments to provide reliable broadband access for all of our students, and continue to highlight the importance of trade skills and apprenticeship programs. A skilled and competitive workforce is essential to our country's economic growth and our future as a nation.
Energy: Is the United States doing enough to reduce carbon emissions? What can the federal government do to promote homegrown energy?
Minnesotans understand better than most just how delicate the balance is between maintaining our state’s abundant natural resources and encouraging economic output and growth. The Sixth Congressional District is home to many different sources of energy, including the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant. Minnesota is also home to one of the nation’s leading solar energy producers, a second-to-none biofuels industry, and is home to innovative new approaches to energy like biomass and biocrude. When it comes to energy production, I will continue to work in Congress to foster an approach that utilizes our abundant and available resources while reducing our dependence on foreign sourced energy. With the great advancements we have made, America will remain a world leader in energy production and exports.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
For starters, we need to bring more of Minnesota taxpayer dollars to the federal government back to our state. I have worked directly with Secretary Chao to help Anoka County secure a $40 million grant for infrastructure improvements to U.S. highway 10/169. I have also worked with the Administration to bring funding back to Minnesota and the Sixth Congressional District in the form of grants for rural broadband development, $4.4 million for bus and transit improvements, $1,160,000 for the St. Cloud Regional Airport, and nearly $500,000 for the Anoka/Blaine Regional Airport. Bringing our hard earned tax dollars back to our state to invest in our infrastructure is critical. We must also improve the transparency surrounding the grant review and approval process (a delegation effort I joined in December 2019), and streamline the permitting and review process for projects deemed critical in our communities and across our nation.
Immigration: Immigration reform continues to languish at the federal level. What should be the principles of any legislation?
America is both a nation of immigrants and of laws. We need to remain the land of opportunity in order to attract the best and brightest minds from around the world. We also must be a home to those who would seek to legally immigrate here for the promise of a better life. However, we must also have a secure border and enforce the rule of law to ensure the survival of our nation. Any agreement reached at the federal level must contain a balance between security and opportunity.
Foreign trade: Do you support the president’s actions on international trade? Long term, will they help or hurt the U.S. economy?
Trade agreements are critical to driving our nation’s economic growth, creating high-paying jobs, and protecting consumers. President Trump took important steps to improve one of our foundational trade agreements with the replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). USMCA presents numerous new opportunities for Minnesota’s farmers, producers and manufacturers, is expected to generate more than $68 billion in new economic activity, and create more than 175,000 new American jobs. I have long been a proponent of establishing new free trade agreements in an effort to expand our export opportunities, and I support efforts that utilize trade as a means to hold actors like China accountable for rampant intellectual property theft and years of unfair trading practices.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address?
Addressing our nation’s ongoing mental health crisis remains one of my top priorities in Congress. Everyone knows someone who has struggled with some form of mental illness, and concerns about suicide and substance abuse have heightened as we wade through the current COVID pandemic. In Congress, I have introduced the STRESS Act to send funding to States to provide mental health counseling and assistance in rural areas and throughout our agriculture communities. Research has shown an increased prevalence of mental health distress in rural areas and, given the ongoing difficulties our nation’s agriculture industry continues to face, families in rural American need support more than ever. I have also introduced legislation to lift arbitrary regulations on the number of beds a healthcare facility may have to treat those suffering with mental illness. The Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act better enables individuals to get the care they need for the appropriate amount of time it takes to help them overcome their mental illness.
Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
I have served as the Representative of the Sixth Congressional District since 2015. In January of 2019, I was elected Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and currently lead republican campaign efforts to regain a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to serving in Congress, I served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing district 19B for six years. My wife Jacquie and I have seven children and we live in Delano, Minnesota.