2018 Minnesota House Seats 52A, 52B and 54A Candidates

The following questions were developed and used from the 2018 Election Candidate Questionnaire and East Metro Voters Guide. 

52A Candidates

Rick Hansen

Bio: B.S. Biology, Upper Iowa University; M.S. Soil Management, Iowa State University; Owner, Harmony Cedar, Inc. 2001-present; Minnesota Department of Agriculture 1989-2004; Dakota County SWCD 1996-2004; Minnesota House of Representatives 2004-present, lead Democrat on Environment and Technology committees.

I ask for your vote for State Representative. I have the experience as a small business owner, local government official, state employee and a farmer. As your current State Representative, I have listened and learned to develop the experience to serve the district well.  We have a lot of work to do and my ability to work on tough subjects and provide solutions is needed.  Problem-solving is in short supply and I ask for your support to apply my knowledge, skills and abilities for you at our Capitol.

What would be your top three priorities if elected? 

1. Clean Water
2. Funding for basic infrastructure such as Robert Street debt relief,
   Inflow & Infiltration and local road, bike and pedestrian
   improvements.
3. Levy equalization for school districts & student debt relief

The Minnesota Constitution states that “[n]o law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.” (Article IV, Section 17.) In recent years, the Legislature has passed bills that encompass far more than one subject. According to critics, multi-subject bills make it difficult for legislators to vote on the merits of an issue, for citizens to be informed, and for the Governor to engage productively with Legislature. Would you support reforms to the legislative process to prohibit consolidating all omnibus spending bills into one large omnibus bill? 

Yes.

Do you support moving the state primary election from August to June in order to improve voter turnout and maximize the time candidates spend with general election voters? 

No.

Beth Arntson

Bio: I have broad state government experience working 35 years in 10+ state agencies as Human Resources professional, director and manager. My experience in these agencies included Employment, Economic Development, Transportation, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Natural Resources, Vocational Rehabilitation, Trade, Human Services, and other state programmatic and administrative issues. I am running because I was recruited by the local BPOU and want to help change the direction the Democrats are leading Minnesota in health care, school funding, and spending in state government without proper oversight and accountability such as MENLARS and the child care fraud.

What would be your top three priorities if elected? 

1. Equalization of school funding across districts
2. Eliminate taxes on social security
3. Protect property rights and eliminate burdensome regulations

The Minnesota Constitution states that “[n]o law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.” (Article IV, Section 17.) In recent years, the Legislature has passed bills that encompass far more than one subject. According to critics, multi-subject bills make it difficult for legislators to vote on the merits of an issue, for citizens to be informed, and for the Governor to engage productively with Legislature. Would you support reforms to the legislative process to prohibit consolidating all omnibus spending bills into one large omnibus bill? 

Yes.

Do you support moving the state primary election from August to June in order to improve voter turnout and maximize the time candidates spend with general election voters? 

No.

52B Candidates

Ruth Richardson

Bio: I earned my law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and have experience working in senior leadership positions in the government, non-profit, and private sectors.  I’ve worked as a business attorney, in disability rights, and to support small, minority-, and women-owned businesses.  I have worked with bipartisan groups to advance legislation to support homeless veterans, people with disabilities, paraprofessional educators in schools, social workers, and people with substance use disorders.  Currently, I work as the Director of Programs and National Strategic Initiatives for the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  I have worked as a community faculty member for Metropolitan State University.  Also, I serve on the Minnesota Judicial Branch’s Committee for Equality and Justice, the Minnesota Department of Human Services Behavioral Health Planning Council, as co-chair for the DHS African American Birth Outcomes Task Force, and the Minnesota Department of Health’s Healthy Equity and Leadership Advisory Committee. I am a past chairperson of the Minnesota Board of Social Work and current chairperson of Ampersand Families.  I am also a member of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Interagency Coordinating Committee on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Justice Workgroup.

What would be your top three priorities if elected? 

1. Ensuring all Minnesotans have access to affordable and quality healthcare
2. Investing in early childhood, K-12, and post-secondary education
3. Ensuring we are investing in small business development and infrastructure

The Minnesota Constitution states that “[n]o law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.” (Article IV, Section 17.) In recent years, the Legislature has passed bills that encompass far more than one subject. According to critics, multi-subject bills make it difficult for legislators to vote on the merits of an issue, for citizens to be informed, and for the Governor to engage productively with Legislature. Would you support reforms to the legislative process to prohibit consolidating all omnibus spending bills into one large omnibus bill? 

Yes.

Do you support moving the state primary election from August to June in order to improve voter turnout and maximize the time candidates spend with general election voters? 

Yes.

Regina Barr

Bio: My husband and I have lived in Inver Grove Heights for 20 years. I am a small business owner, am active in the River Heights Chamber of Commerce, and previously served on the IGH Convention and Visitors Bureau. My business background, extensive nonprofit experience, and a solid first term as State Representative delivering results for our community–like tax relief, fully funding our schools, and lowering health insurance costs–prove that I have the broad range of experience necessary to serve effectively.  I believe effective leaders prioritize results over partisanship. If re-elected, I will be committed to working with those on both sides of the aisle to deliver results for our community. I recently received the Housing First Leadership Award and the NFIB Small Business Guardian Award. In addition, I have received endorsements from a number of organizations including: the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, Care Providers of Minnesota PAC, Latino American Today, Dakota County Regional Chamber PAC, Builders Association of the Twin Cities’ Housing First PAC, the MN Chamber Leadership PAC, and the Southeast Metro Business PAC.

What would be your top three priorities if elected? 

If re-elected, I will prioritize:

1. Making health care more affordable
2. Delivering middle-class tax relief
3. Ensuring that Minnesota families have access to affordable childcare

The Minnesota Constitution states that “[n]o law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.” (Article IV, Section 17.) In recent years, the Legislature has passed bills that encompass far more than one subject. According to critics, multi-subject bills make it difficult for legislators to vote on the merits of an issue, for citizens to be informed, and for the Governor to engage productively with Legislature. Would you support reforms to the legislative process to prohibit consolidating all omnibus spending bills into one large omnibus bill? 

Yes.

Do you support moving the state primary election from August to June in order to improve voter turnout and maximize the time candidates spend with general election voters? 

Yes.

54A Candidates

Anne Claflin

Bio: I bring the experience and passion to serve the people of our district well.  A graduate of South Saint Paul High School, I chose to live here with my husband Warren and my son William – a fifth-generation native of this district.

For my career in science and policy, I earned my bachelor’s degrees in Russian and Biology and a Master of Science degree in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy from the University of Minnesota.  For twelve years, I have worked as a scientist at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, analyzing greenhouse gases and the policies’ effects on climate change.

I lead my MAPE union local as president, and mentor women in science – helping girls with the Girl Scouts and women at the University of Minnesota, and leading Hamline University’s Women in Public Service Conference. As a scientist, I am prepared to support data-driven, evidence-based decisions.  As a working mother and union leader, I am prepared to fight for women and working families. As a listening leader, I am prepared to collaborate to build our community. I have the talent, experience and drive to build a vibrant economy and a healthy environment where we have the freedom to pursue our dreams – together.

What would be your top three priorities if elected? 

1. Protecting clean, safe drinking water and a healthy environment is my highest priority.  As an environmental scientist, I will ensure cleaning up our water happens now and happens right.  I will act to protect our waters; hold those responsible accountable, and make sure this never happens again.  We have a right to a healthy environment – clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, natural areas for people and wildlife.  A clean environment supports Minnesota’s vibrant economy and helps create good jobs that can’t be sent overseas: jobs in clean energy and our great natural heritage – hunting, fishing, and the outdoors industry.
2. Fighting for our students to get a world-class education is critical to protecting Minnesota’s legacy of educational excellence and supporting job growth right here.  I will support learning from early childhood through career training. I will ensure that our students and teachers have the classroom and supportive resources they need to create the next generation of leaders – business owners, lawyers, scientists, people working in the trades.  Our children have unlimited potential – let’s help them reach it.
3. Building a vibrant economy that works for us all means protecting the freedom to pursue our dreams and care for our loved ones.   I will work for affordable health care that won’t bankrupt you if you get sick. I will fight to ensure paid family leave, earned sick time, wage theft protections, and affordable childcare to help families get ahead.  I will defend the freedom to have a fair shake – to join together, negotiate, and speak up for better pay and better working conditions. I will work to un-rig the economy, close corporate tax loopholes, and make the American dream achievable again.

The Minnesota Constitution states that “[n]o law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.” (Article IV, Section 17.) In recent years, the Legislature has passed bills that encompass far more than one subject. According to critics, multi-subject bills make it difficult for legislators to vote on the merits of an issue, for citizens to be informed, and for the Governor to engage productively with Legislature. Would you support reforms to the legislative process to prohibit consolidating all omnibus spending bills into one large omnibus bill? 

Yes.

Do you support moving the state primary election from August to June in order to improve voter turnout and maximize the time candidates spend with general election voters? 

Yes.

Keith Franke

Bio: I was born, raised and lived in every city in district 54A and have family living all throughout the district.  I am a father of two and a grandfather of two granddaughters.  I am running for office because I believe in giving the people in our district an honest, common sense voice in our state government.  I have a proven record of collaboration with other lawmakers and put principle over politics.  I have a wide variety of life and work experiences which give me a unique insight into many social and economic challenges that people in our district face.

What would be your top three priorities if elected? 

My top priorities if elected include:

1. Making sure funds designated by the 3M settlement to ensure water quality for our residents, are kept in our district and spent effectively to provide future generations with water safety and sustainability. 
2. Quality affordable health care and health insurance is a priority for me.  We need to bring everyone to the table to find solutions to our current problems by looking at prescription drug costs, the disparity in health procedure costs, transparency in billing and giving people options to make choices about their own healthcare. 
3.  I would like to continue the work on eliminating taxes on social security income for low and median income seniors with a goal being total elimination of taxes on all social security income. 

The Minnesota Constitution states that “[n]o law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.” (Article IV, Section 17.) In recent years, the Legislature has passed bills that encompass far more than one subject. According to critics, multi-subject bills make it difficult for legislators to vote on the merits of an issue, for citizens to be informed, and for the Governor to engage productively with Legislature. Would you support reforms to the legislative process to prohibit consolidating all omnibus spending bills into one large omnibus bill? 

Yes.

Do you support moving the state primary election from August to June in order to improve voter turnout and maximize the time candidates spend with general election voters? 

Yes.

***Information Supplied by Minnesota Business Community 2018 Election Candidate Questionnaire