Hackett gets in the race

Posted at 11:05 AM on November 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

Maureen Hackett, a DFLer, has announced that she's running for Congress in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District. Hackett said she got in the race because she doesn't think first-term Republican Erik Paulsen fits the district.

On the issues, Hackett said her top concern is the economy. She said she would support some sort of second stimulus bill. Hackett also said she would have voted for the health care overhaul bill that the House recently passed.

Hackett said she would abide by the DFL Party endorsement, and she has been a frequent contributor to DFL candidates. But Hackett has also donated money to independents and Republicans. Specifically, she gave to the NRCC, Independence Party candidate Dave Dillon (who ran for Congress in 2008) and Ralph Nader. Hackett said she gave primarily to DFL candidates like DFL Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, President Obama and Ashwin Madia but also likes to "reward good ideas."

Hackett was, however, a bit murky about her donations to Ralph Nader. She said she gave to Nader in 2000 but had issues with the Florida recount.

When I noted that she gave to Nader after 2000, she said "he was paying off his debts" and "I like Ralph Naders' ideas." But it looks like he may have been contributing to his 2004 campaign.

You can listen to her entire interview here: Listen

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