2018 Minnesota US Senate #1 Voters Guide
Christine “Tina” Smith (D) vs Karin Housley (R)
The Candidates
Legal. Says women should “have the freedom to decide when & how to raise a family.”
Ban. Says “I’ve fought hard… for our unborn.” Has 100% rating from MN Citizens Concerned for Life.
1. Yes. In 2018, cosponsored DISCLOSE Act, requiring organizations spending more than $10,000 in an election cycle to disclose donors’ names. 2. Reverse Citizens United by Constitutional Amendment.
1. Unclear. Said we need “adequate regulations” to ensure candidates raise funds ethically & transparently but supports “free market” for campaigns. 2. Yes. Supports Citizen United: “I would be in support of the way it is right now.”
Yes. “Climate change is real & poses a threat to our economy & our health.”
Unclear. Opposed Paris Climate Accord, says would cost trillions, kill jobs & hinder oil, gas, coal & manufacturing. Wants a “balanced approach to climate policy.”
Yes. “President Trump made an excellent choice in nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh.”
Yes. As MN Lt. Governor, introduced jobs & infrastructure bill to support local economies & create nearly 23,000 jobs.
Unclear. Prioritizes “balancing the budget” & “incentives to keep & grow businesses.”
Unclear on vouchers. Says she is a “school choice person.”
No. Says is fighting efforts to “roll back responsible environmental policy.”
No position found. Opposes “too much regulation & bureaucracy.”
No. Signed letter to US Senate leadership opposing reduction of CFPB funding.
No position found.
Yes. Supports “marriage equality” & “LGBTQ equality.”
No. In 2013 voted against same-sex marriage bill in MN Senate.
Yes. Supports “common-sense gun laws” to keep guns from criminals & dangerous individuals: bump stock, assault weapon & high-capacity magazine bans.
No, with exceptions. Supports “a reasonable ban on bump stocks.” Otherwise, focuses on enforcing existing gun laws & addressing mental health.
Support. Keep ACA protections in place. But sees single payer as “most direct way to ensure universal coverage.”
Repeal. Says “Obamacare has failed hardworking Minnesotans, driving up costs” & reducing quality of healthcare.
Yes. Was vice-president of MN, ND & SD Planned Parenthood. Opposed proposal to block state family planning grants to Planned Parenthood because of its role in providing abortion services.
No. Sees public funds better spent at women’s health clinics that “provide real family planning services.”
No. Says “most people who receive Medicaid & can work do work.” Work requirement would create bureaucracy.
Unclear. Wants to give a work requirement “serious consideration” as a way to prevent fraud & waste.
Yes. Supports “tough but fair path to citizenship,” along with “fiscally efficient methods to secure the border.”
Yes, on DACA. No position found on other undocumented immigrants. Considers secure borders #1 immigration priority.
No. Says withdrawal doesn’t reduce Iran’s “threat the region & US national security interests”—& makes Iran more likely to develop a nuclear weapon.
Learn from experience of states that have legalized recreational.
Yes. Co-sponsored legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2024.
No. In 2017 in MN Senate, voted to prohibit local governments from raising local minimum wage. Voted against raising MN minimum in 2013 & 2014.
Critical of policies & actions: “Nobody is above the law in this country.”
Believes in “80% of what he’s doing,” except tariffs & border separation.
Yes. Cosponsored Warren’s Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act.
No position found.
Yes. Has pushed for more funding for financial aid & grants. Wants more investment in technical & vocational training.
No position found on increases. Wants more students to opt for 2-year degrees, & loan forgiveness for students who go to work at local companies in ”greater Minnesota” but not the Twin Cities.
Yes. As MN Lt. Governor, pushed bill including tax cuts & aid for students, rescinding tax cuts for “super wealthy” & “big business.”
No. Speaks of the “crushing impact high taxes have on job creation.” “It’s your money, not the government’s.”
Yes. Supports the Republican tax act, saying, “there are a lot of good policies in there.”
Other senate candidates include Sarah Wellington (Legal Marijuana Now Party) & Jerry Trooien (I). Due to limited space, we can only include candidates who poll 15% or higher, but encourage you to check out their websites.
We have space to include only candidates polling 15% or more. But check out others including Steven B. Grant (I), Dennis Misigoy (L), and Tuan Nguyen (I). guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand, with links to credible sources. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office. Vote411.org offers guides to local races.