Select A Candidate ®

The U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota is an open seat because Sen. Mark Dayton is not running for re-election. The election is expected to be a close race with Minnesota again seen as a "battleground" state. This exercise is not meant to tell you for whom you should vote, it is merely intended to introduce you to the candidates. On the results page, you'll find much more information on these and other issues from each of the candidates, some of whom are not represented here because they did not provide their positions.

Minnesota - U.S. Senate (2006) Survey

Which statement most closely matches your opinion on U.S. involvement in the war in Iraq.

I am opposed to this war but we are there and we cannot completely leave until we turn things over to the Iraqis in a responsible manner.
We should leave Iraq as soon as Iraqis can form a government and Iraqis are properly trained to take over.
It's time to get out of Iraq now. Congress has abdicated its responsibility of oversight while cost overruns and emergency funding have masked the true cost.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Do you support or oppose a constitutional amendment definining marriage as only between one man and one woman?

Support
Oppose

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Should the tax cuts given to high-income individuals in the last few years be made permanent?

Yes
No

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Do you favor a balanced-budget process;a "pay-as-you-go" approach?

No
Yes

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Which of the following most closely aligns with your position on abortion?

It is an issue best left to the decision of a woman and her doctor.
Reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies leads to fewer abortions. I support adoption agencies, reproductive education, and availability to contraception. Restrictive legislation does not lead to fewer abortions.
I am "pro-life" and believe the protecting the most vulnerable among us is a priority.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Which of the following health care statements most closely aligns with your view?

Offer uninsured Americans a refundable tax credit to purchase health insurance. Emphasize consumer-driven health care.
The goal is to balance affordability with universality. Health care should no longer be tied to employment. Insurance should be used for the unexpected and unaffordable. Prescription drug companies need to be required to include information labels on their products, which will allow consumers to be more cost-conscious.
Our goal should be universal health care and a first step would be providing health insurance to all children.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What is your opinion of the CAFTA trade agreement?

Opposed
Support

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Which of the following statements most closely aligns with your view on the federal mandate, "No Child Left Behind."

I support the spirit of the program but I think the federal government has overspent on it. I'm concerned about the federal government taking away local control of the schools.
The vast majority of Minnesota students already pass minimum standards so NCLB does not serve them at all. Local communities and the states can best react to education needs. Educate kids in math and science so we are producing citizens who can compete in a global marketplace.
The federal government did not sufficiently fund the program. I'm not bothered by having standards, but the law didn't come with the resources necessary.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What is your position on agriculture in Minnesota?

Keep federal milk price supports in place. Encourage biodiesel and ethanol development. Mandate country-of-origin labeling.
Family farmers are good stewards of the land they cultivate and of the animals they raise. Invest in family farms over corporate operations. Encourage farmers to be on the forefront of energy independence through energy diversity: ethanol, biodiesel, wind, and solar.
We need to expand our exports by growing demand abroad while increasing value added production at home. I support farm price supports.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Which statement comes closest to your position on immigration in the United States?

We should end a "catch and release" philosophy of immigration enforcement. I do not favor discussion about a guest worker program until the borders are secured.
Guest worker programs are proposals for government-sponsored apartheid, creating a sub-class of workers without rights or ability to participate in our democratic process. Instead, secure the border, train Americans for 21st century jobs, and enforce same-pay laws for immigrants.
We should increase border security. I support a market-based temporary worker program for immigrants who have passed security checks. We should crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Which statement comes closes to your view on congressional ethics reform?

Lawmakes should not be allowed to accepts gifts, free meals or travel from lobbyists. There should be a more open process of rewarding government contracts and lobbyist spending
An independent council should lead ethics reform. To have lawmakers police themselves is ripe for abuse. Lobbyist scandals, no-bid contracts, and flat out bribes threaten our faith in our democracy.
There should be a lifetime ban on members of Congress becoming lobbyists. Cutting taxes, making the federal tax code simpler, and reducing federal spending would lessen the opportunity for special interests to exploit the system.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What do you think should be done to ensure a viable Social Security system?

Raise the $90,000 salary cap for paying Social Security taxes. Do not "privatize" Social Security.
Proposals thus far have required unacceptable implementation costs. It is wrong to expect young people to carry the burden of solvency -- either through increased program costs or high implementation costs (added to our national debt).
The Social Security system needs to be changed to bring it into the 21st century. Privatization is an option.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

Which statement comes closest to your view on oil drilling and nuclear energy?

Generally opposed to drilling in ANWR but not ruling it out. Not in favor of a nuclear storage site in Yucca Mountain.
Opposed to drilling in ANWR. Support a nuclear waste storage facility in Yucca Mountain. Favors drilling off the outer continental shelf.
Opposed to drilling in ANWR. Favor oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Favor nuclear energy.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very
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