Meet your Minnesota Senate District 11candidates and vote on Feb. 5!

The Pine Knot News sent a number of questions to the three candidates in the special election for Minnesota Senate District 11, which includes all of Carlton and Pine Counties, along with several precincts in both St. Louis and Kanabec Counties.

Please take a moment to learn more about each candidate, and don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Republican

Jason Rarick

I am a lifelong resident of the Pine City area, residing on the farmstead settled by my great-grandfather. I graduated from Pine City High School in 1988, and Dunwoody Institute in 1990. I have been a union electrician for 27 years, a coach, religious education teacher, active church member and, for the last four years, a State Representative.

What should be the role of the state in providing health care or health insurance coverage for its residents?

I believe the state’s role in the health insurance market should be to oversee that insurance companies are being responsible, treating customers fairly, and charging reasonable rates. Government should only be there to provide coverage for those who cannot afford it, and for cases that fall through the cracks of traditional coverage. Government should also ensure that people with pre-existing conditions will be assured coverage. The state’s role in health care should be that of oversight, but with less requirements for paperwork and administration, so that doctors can be doctors and nurses can be nurses.

Aside from health care, what do you believe are the two biggest issues facing Minnesota and what are your ideas for addressing those?

I believe that two of the most important issues for our area, and all of rural Minnesota, are high-quality broadband service and permanent funding for roads and bridges. Improving road conditions throughout Minnesota is important for both our personal use, and for business to be able to move its products. I would prefer not to raise the gas tax, since this has a much more negative impact on our rural areas, but am willing to consider a small one if it is paired with dedicating sales tax from auto parts. Without an investment in the fiber optics needed for the backbone of high-quality internet and cell phone service, our small towns and rural residents will be left behind in today’s economy. Using some of our surplus to fund more grants and working to allow for bonding to fund these projects are the ways I am addressing this for our district.

How important is it to you to work across the aisle and why?

We absolutely need to be able to work with members of both parties, and I have made that a priority in my four years in the Legislature. I have very good relationships with several Democrats in both the House and Senate, and have worked on broadband and environmental issues with them.

Is Minnesota on the right track? Why or why not?

I believe Minnesota is on a good track, but that we can improve and do better. I believe we should lower taxes so that we are no longer among the top five states for heaviest tax burden. I also believe our state agencies can improve on how they communicate with each other and how they serve the people of Minnesota.

Why should voters choose you to represent District 11?

I believe that my experience as a construction worker, small-business owner, active community member and current Legislator makes me the candidate most able to relate to the people in District 11, and able to be an effective Senator on the first day I take office.

Find out more at jasonrarickforsenate.front.run.

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Stu Lourey

I’m my family’s third generation to farm in Kerrick. I went to Moose Lake Elementary and East Central High School, and I attended college here in Minnesota. Most recently, I worked for our U.S. Senators Al Franken and Tina Smith. I focused on health care policy, and other issues facing us in Carlton, Pine, Kanabec and St. Louis Counties.

What should be the role of the state in providing health care or health insurance coverage for its residents?

No Minnesotan should have to think twice about seeing a doctor when they’re sick or getting the prescription drugs they need because they’re worried about how to pay for it. Every family deserves access to quality health care they can afford, and they shouldn’t have to drive miles and miles to get it.

That’s why we need to expand rural health care, take steps to lower costs, and invest in resources to help tackle the opioid epidemic. We need to ensure MinnesotaCare continues so that nearly 100,000 low-income Minnesotans aren’t kicked off their health care plans. And we should never give millions in handouts to big insurance companies, or go back to when you could be denied health coverage due to a pre-existing condition like cancer or diabetes.

Aside from health care, what do you believe are the two biggest issues facing Minnesota and what are your ideas for addressing those?

Strong schools are the foundation of our communities. I’m proud of the education I received growing up and I believe that strong schools are the center of our communities. That’s why I’ll fight for fair funding of our schools, support small class sizes and defend investments in Pre-K. Teachers deserve investment and support as they prepare the kids who will shape our future. It’s so important that we create paths to opportunity — not just for the jobs of today, but for the jobs of the future.

I will work every day to fight for opportunity for our region. At the core of that opportunity is education and jobs. Small businesses are critical to the economic strength of northeastern Minnesota and they need our support. Access to broadband and other critical infrastructure is a huge issue and makes it possible for businesses to get off the ground and expand.

Employers also need a well-trained workforce. We have hard-working people in our region but sometimes new skills are needed. So, I’ll support workforce training initiatives and apprenticeship opportunities to make sure people are ready for available jobs. I’ve seen firsthand how important this training is — my brother discovered how much he loves welding at a technical college. He learned the trade, started work in a high-demand field, and now he runs his own business. These training programs — and the classes my brother helped teach at Pine Technical College — address the skills gap and help businesses find and retain the workers they need.

How important is it to you to work across the aisle and why?

I’m running to represent all of us in District 11: Democrats and Republicans alike. We might see the world differently sometimes, but everyone cares about the health and economic security of our families. I will find willing partners from any political party who are interested in getting things done.

Is Minnesota on the right track? Why or why not?

Minnesota has a lot to be proud of — we’re a leader in ag production, we’re paving the way to the future when it comes to energy, and we’re continuing the proud tradition of being the state of innovation. We’re on the right track in a lot of ways, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t struggling. We have a lot of work still ahead of us if we want to make life better for all Minnesotans.

Why should voters choose you to represent District 11?

Decisions made about health care, schools, and our economy here affect future generations in east central and northeastern Minnesota. I want to earn your vote because you deserve someone who won’t just listen to what you say, but who will help make your voice heard at the Capitol.

Find out more at http://www.stulourey.com.

Legal Marijuana Now

John Birrenbach

I’m a Navy veteran, and a small-business owner most of my adult life. I was a successful coffee shop owner in downtown St Paul for 20 years and since been an owner or business partner in ventures including a PC repair business, online sales, consulting and retail sales. I’ve learned a great deal, including the value of listening to the needs of clients and constituents.

What should be the role of the state in providing health care or health insurance coverage for its residents?

Universal single payer health care coverage is a basic human right for all Minnesotans. Not only would a universal health care system save all Minnesotans money by reducing or eliminating multi-million dollar insurance CEO salaries, it would actually improve our health care because it would eliminate unnecessary paperwork and allow hospitals, doctors, nurses, etc. to practice medicine.

Aside from health care, what do you believe are the two biggest issues facing Minnesota and what are your ideas for addressing those?

This being a budget year, the budget should be taken care of first and foremost, then rural infrastructure like roads, bridges and broadband internet access, affordable housing, good-paying jobs.

There are many issues facing Minnesota. I would start to work on the budget immediately and encourage others to join me. We need to do something with the $1.5 billion the state overcharged the citizens. We need to legalize cannabis so that new businesses can sprout up and help the farmers of rural Minnesota and additional billions can be collected in taxes from people begging to be taxed.

How important is it to you to work across the aisle and why?

I am the only person who will be really able and required to work across the other two party lines. That is part of the reason I am running, to be a bridge between the feuding parties. The two parties need a referee. I can wear that hat. I can help them see that there is a middle track between the two extremes.

Is Minnesota on the right track? Why or why not?

Minnesota is, generally speaking, on the right track; however, legislative priorities are out of line. Waiting to start working on the budget and the excessive taxes collected is simply not how you run a smart efficient government. Why? Because we generally take better care of our citizens than those of other states. Typically we are ranked one of the best places to live, despite the cold weather.

Why should voters choose you to represent District 11?

I am the only voice for real change in this race. Voting for the usual two parties will result in simply more of the same. I will be the most available and approachable Senator this district has seen in years.

Find out more at http://www.facebook.com/SparkySD11LegalNow.