2018 Minnesota US Senate #1 Voters Guide

Christine “Tina” Smith (D) vs Karin Housley (R)

US Senate | Election | Nov 6, 2018

The Candidates

Christine “Tina” Smith

Christine “Tina” Smith

Democrat

Karin Housley

Karin Housley

Republican

The Issues

Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Share Their Positions

Campaign Finance

1. Require political ads to disclose their largest funders? 2. Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?

Christine “Tina” Smith (D)

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.

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Courts

Support President Trump’s choice of Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court nominee? (before recent allegations)

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Economy

Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

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Education

Provide vouchers to parents to send their children to private schools with public money?

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Environment

Support Environmental Protection Administration cutbacks?

Karin Housley (R)

No position found. Opposes “too much regulation & bureaucracy.”

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Financial Regulation

Support cutbacks in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau?

Karin Housley (R)

No position found.

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Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

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Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

Christine “Tina” Smith (D)

Yes. Supports “common-sense gun laws” to keep guns from criminals & dangerous individuals:  bump stock, assault weapon & high-capacity magazine bans.

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Health Care

Support or repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?

Christine “Tina” Smith (D)

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.

Karin Housley (R)

No. Sees public funds better spent at women’s health clinics that “provide real family planning services.”

Require people to work to receive Medicaid?

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Immigration

Support path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants, including “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” who grew up in the US?

Karin Housley (R)

Yes, on DACA. No position found on other undocumented immigrants. Considers secure borders #1 immigration priority.

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum wage from current $7.25/hour?

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President Trump

Response to President Trump’s actions & policies?

Christine “Tina” Smith (D)

Believes in “80% of what he’s doing,” except tariffs & border separation.

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Student Debt & Financial Aid

Refinance student loans at lower rates, paid for by raising taxes on high earners (Elizabeth Warren bill)?

Christine “Tina” Smith (D)
Karin Housley (R)

No position found.

Increase federal student financial aid, like Pell Grants?

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Taxes

Increase taxes on corporations and/or high-income individuals to pay for public services?

Christine “Tina” Smith (D)

Yes. As MN Lt. Governor, pushed bill including tax cuts & aid for students, rescinding tax cuts for “super wealthy” & “big business.”

Support President Trump’s tax cuts?

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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.

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