2018 Minnesota US Senate Voters Guide
Jeff Johnson (R) vs Tim Walz (D)
The Candidates
Ban. Believes in sanctity of human life from conception. Wants a “heartbeat bill,” banning abortions at about 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Legal. Believes in a woman’s right to choose, & will continue this support as Governor.
Unknown.
Yes. Co-sponsored 2012 DISCLOSE Act, requiring full disclosure of independent campaign expenditures.
Unknown.
No. Disagrees with Supreme Court decision that lifts limits on corporations’ & unions’ spending in US elections.
No. Says climate is changing naturally and human involvement is debatable.
Yes. Sees climate change as real and urgent.
No. Believes that a single country’s efforts to mitigate climate change would have only a “small effect” & “we don’t need to reorder our economy based on climate change.”
No. Concerned about how Chinese tariffs will affect Minnesota farmers.
No. Calls the tariffs “rash” & not in “the interests of America’s farmers.”
Yes. Wants to fully fund pre-K & K-12 education, making Minnesota the “education state.”
Yes. Wants to allow parents vouchers to move their children out of failing schools.
No. Sees a need to keep funding public schools, “not diverting it into voucher programs.”
Unknown.
Yes. Wants to provide 2 years tuition-free education at MN state institutions for families making $125K/year or less.
No. But supports “contractual unions” for hospital visitation, inheritance or end-of-life decisions.
Yes. Has campaigned for “full marriage equality” since 2005.
No. Opposes expanded background checks. Wants to arm trained professionals in schools & strengthen existing laws, not restrict “rights of law-abiding gun owners” with new laws.
Yes. Supports expanded background checks & banning assault-style weapons—not arming teachers (he was a teacher for 20 years).
Repeal. Says the ACA “was sold as reform & there was no reform in it.” Wants to move toward “a more free-market system.”
Support. Opposes attempts to roll back ACA. Believes single payer type system “is on Minnesota’s horizon,” but need to control immediate costs, improve care, and support MinnesotaCare as best current option. Also supports allowing people to buy into programs like VA system, Medicaid & Medicare.
Unknown.
Unknown.
Yes. Sees a need to address DACA & protect Dreamers. Wants to provide them with a path to citizenship.
Yes. Supports a path to citizenship for undocumented workers.
Yes. Supports making Minnesota a right-to-work state.
No. Opposes “assaults on our right to collective bargaining,” & wants to push back against right-to-work legislation.
Yes. Supports full legalization of medical and recreational marijuana for adults.
No. Says it would lessen options for young & least experienced people.
Yes. Supports $15 minimum wage for Minnesota.
Unknown.
Yes.
Sees Trump as “divisive.” Rejects his calling his critics “treasonous.” On key votes, opposed Trump 79.5% as of August 2018.
Questions Minnesota’s mandates on producing renewable fuels like ethanol & biodiesel, but promises not to end them if elected.
Yes. Wants to expand the Renewable Energy Standard, so Minnesota will get at least 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030, up from 21% now.
Yes. Supports requiring voters to show photo ID, although Minnesotans rejected that idea in a 2012 vote.
No. Strengthen & reauthorize Voting Rights Act. Remove barriers to voting.
Other candidates for governor include Josh Welter (L) & Chris Wright (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party). Due to limited space, we can’t include their responses, but encourage you to check out their websites.
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