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. Says money won’t solve problems. Voted in 2012 against increasing funding for early childhood & education programs for low-income families.
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. 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.
Unknown. Advocates stopping MN’s refugee resettlement program now.
Yes. Supports a path to citizenship for undocumented workers.
Supports medical marijuana but opposed to legalizing recreational.
Yes. Supports full legalization of medical and recreational marijuana for adults.
Unknown.
Yes.
“I like what he is trying to do. I like the direction he is trying to take the country.”
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.
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.
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.