Susan Allen easily won the DFL Primary election held on Tuesday, Dec. 6, with 82% of the vote. A Native American and lawyer, she will face Nathan Blumenshine in the general election on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Blumenshine gathered enough signatures to get on the ballot as a candidate for the Respect Party.
Southside Pride asked the candidates three questions:
Why are you running?
Blumenshine: I am running because I am committed to making the world a better place. I believe the key to accomplishing this goal is respecting all people. People today are frustrated with politics because we divide ourselves into “us” and “them.” I am running because we are all in this together.
Allen: I am running for state representative because I will fight for economic, social and environmental justice. My whole life has prepared me for this fight. I grew up in poverty and by the time I was in the eighth grade, I had attended 20 different schools.
What legislation would you introduce?
Blumenshine: There are several great pieces of legislation that have been introduced but never saw the light of day due to partisanship in the legislature. I will work with others to pass legislation that will repay our schools, promote energy efficiency, and respect workers. I will use respect to pass bills that are good for all people.
Allen: I will fight for well-paying jobs. If elected, I would introduce legislation to increase funding for job training for our community members. I understand that a job is a pathway to social and economic justice.
Do you support Single Payer health care?
Blumenshine: Yes. Respect means all people should have affordable health care. I worked as an intern for Senator Jeff Hayden (then Representative) last year on the Minnesota Health Plan. Providing health care for all Minnesotans is the right thing to do and it will save money.
Allen: Yes, the best and least expensive way to fix the healthcare system is to completely eliminate insurance companies and associated administrative costs and bureaucracy to ensure everyone has access to medical treatment.
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