2020 Minnesota US Senate Voters Guide

Jason Lewis (R) vs Tina Smith (D)

US Senate | Election | Nov 10, 2020

The Candidates

Jason Lewis

Jason Lewis

Republican

Tina Smith

Tina Smith

Democrat

Incumbent

The Issues

Abortion

Keep legal or ban?

Campaign Finance

Limit campaign spending and require political advertisers to disclose their largest funders?

Jason Lewis (R)

No. Supports Citizen United decision. Says courts have “previously struck down laws limiting campaign spending.”

Tina Smith (D)

Yes.  Co-sponsored DISCLOSE Act, requiring campaign groups to disclose donors’ names.  Would reverse Citizens United decision.

Climate Change

Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat?

Address as a top priority by taxing or limiting output of greenhouse gases?

Jason Lewis (R)

No. Says “market forces and technology” can control carbon emissions. Opposes carbon tax. Voted to weaken environmental regulation.

Tina Smith (D)

Yes. Emphasizes incentives for renewable energy more than taxes or limits. Helped introduce the Clean Economy Act in 2020.

Courts

Support picking Ginsburg replacement now, vs. letting Nov. winner choose?

Tina Smith (D)

Wait. Current rush to replace Ginsburg—after 10-month blocking of Obama from nominating Scalia’s successor—is “hypocrisy.” See CEEP Supreme Court guide.

COVID-19

Support administration’s response to coronavirus pandemic?

Support administration’s economic response to coronavirus pandemic?

Environment

Tighten or loosen environmental regulations?

Jason Lewis (R)

Loosen. Opposes carbon tax and argues “the hard environmental left” is hampering the state’s energy, mining, and logging industries.

Financial Regulation

Tighten or loosen regulation of banks and credit card companies?

Guns

Enact more restrictive legislation on guns?

Immigration

Support expanding border walls?

Tina Smith (D)

No. Voted against funding for the border wall. Supports “fiscally efficient methods to secure our border.”

Iran

Oppose military attacks on Iran without congressional approval?

Tina Smith (D)

Yes. Co-sponsored bill directing president not to order attacks without congressional approval. Said she was “gravely concerned” Trump lacked strategy to prevent escalation.

LGBT Rights

Support efforts to end discrimination against LGBTQ people?

Jason Lewis (R)

No. Says ruling legalizing marriage equality “would undo the entire state criminal code because we’re all treated unequally.”

Tina Smith (D)

Yes.  Supports “marriage equality” and “LGBTQ equality.”

Minimum Wage

Raise federal hourly minimum wage above current $7.25?

Tina Smith (D)

Yes. Co-sponsored legislation to raise federal minimum wage to $15 by 2024, which would “raise the wages of nearly 40 million people.”

Planned Parenthood

Support Planned Parenthood’s receiving public funds for non-abortion care?

Support Planned Parenthood’s receiving public funds for non-abortion care?

Saudi Arabia

Block arms sales to Saudi Arabia?

Taxes

Support administration’s $1.9 trillion (2017) tax cuts?

Police and Community

Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?

Tina Smith (D)

Yes. Supports comprehensive police-reform legislation that would end practices such as choke holds and no-knock warrants.