Questions to ask candidates this election season
With July 4th celebrations happening in Minnesota, many candidates will be in your community at local events and door-knocking looking for your support. This is a great time to learn more about these candidates, their values, and positions! Think of this as a potential job interview of the people wanting to represent you and your loved ones. To help, we developed a few questions for you to consider asking candidates to help inform your vote. Of course, we encourage you to ask your own questions too, but this list can get you started if you need some ideas.
What will you do to ensure more opportunities are available for all women to have a seat at the decision-making table if elected?
Background: Minnesota benefits from some of the highest participation rates in the country of women in the workforce and elected positions. However, all women are subjected to the systems that exclude their full participation in determining their future, including trans women. Change in these systems will take women being at the table and making decisions that benefit all women now and into the future.
What will you do to make living expenses more affordable for Minnesotans?
Background: Sweeping tariffs, cuts to government programs, the war on Iran, and inflation have all made the cost of everyday goods and services, groceries, and energy go up under the current Presidential administration. These factors have added an estimated $1,700 to $2,300 in extra annual expenses for the average American family, according to reports from the Yale Budget Lab and Congressional committees.
(To ask DFL Candidates) If the DFL wins the majority in both chambers, what will your priorities be?
Background: In the 2013-14 DFL trifecta, the MN Legislature passed all-day Kindergarten, raised the minimum wage, legalized same-sex marriage. In the 2023-24 DFL trifecta, they passed Paid Family and Medical Leave, the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, gun violence prevention measures, Universal Free School Meals, Divers Licenses for All amongst other things.
With the recent murders of elected officials and children due to gun violence, what will you do to get sensible gun laws passed, including a ban on assault rifles?
Background: In an average year, 527 Minnesotans are killed by guns and 1,174 more are wounded, including 39 children and teens. Assault weapons are military style guns built to do the most damage to the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time and do not belong near our schools, public institutions, places of worship, and places where Minnesotans are enjoying their lives. 69% of Americans support a ban on assault weapons. (2013 Johns Hopkins Uni. poll)
What will you do to ensure the MN Legislature passes bills to protect our immigrant neighbors from the violent and unconstitutional tactics that ICE agents are using in Minnesota?
Background: During Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration deployed over 3,000 federal agents to the Twin Cities and across Minnesota. They used racial profiling, arrested people without probable cause, and entered people’s homes without judicial warrants, often using excessive force. They entered schools, hospitals, daycare centers, public buildings, and places of worship. In total, they arrested over 3,700 people, of whom only 13% had pending criminal charges against them. Two U.S. citizens were killed by agents during the operation. It is estimated Operation Metro Surge resulted in $700 million in lost economic activity and municipal expenses in Minneapolis alone. Many families hid in their homes for months, and many children were too frightened to attend school in person.
In May, the MN Senate passed a package of bills (ICE Accountability and Justice Bill) aimed at reining in federal agents. No republican senators supported it. The package included a bill to allow Minnesotans to sue federal agents if their constitutional rights are violated, a bill banning law enforcement from wearing face masks, and a bill prohibiting federal immigration agents from entering schools, hospitals, courthouses and daycare centers. The MN House did not take up the packet of bills.
And lastly, if the candidate has aced your other questions and they align with your values…
How can I best support your campaign?
Background: Running for elected office isn’t easy. If you find a candidate you would like to support, ask them how you can best help their campaign. They are always looking for volunteers! Ways to support include: campaign office work, running errands, door-knocking, walking/rolling in parades, tabling at community events, dropping off/picking up lawn signs, fundraising, social media, mowing lawns, and more. Honestly, there are a million ways to help!
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