Longtime incumbent, newcomer face off in District 23A

Oct. 30--BLUE EARTH -- Republican incumbent Rep. Bob Gunther and DFL challenger Pat Bacon share similar views on how to address Minnesota's transportation funding gap, but they have divergent views on how to address the other big issues facing Minnesota House District 23A.

Gunther

Gunther, a Fairmont state representative for more than 19 years, previously ran four grocery stores with his four brothers for nearly four decades. His also co-owns Fair Lakes Transportation with his wife, who runs the company. The transportation company provides the public transportation contracted service for Martin County.

He previously served as assistant majority leader, assistant minority leader and assistant whip during his time in the Legislature.

He said he is focused on growing jobs and addressing the state's crumbling transportation infrastructure. He said he also prioritizes seeking new state funding to help nursing homes and assisted-living facilities meet their needs, such as assistance with utility and insurance bills.

Bacon

Bacon, a Fairmont nurse for more than two decades, is a first-time candidate who believes her background has given her valuable leadership qualities.

She said she is focusing on improving the state transportation system, growing jobs and addressing issues with health care in Minnesota.

Major issues

On the issue of the state's transportation funding gap, Gunther and Bacon share views on the possibility of a new gas tax and their interest in bringing a mixed approach to addressing the funding issue.

Gunther said he wants the state's funding gap addressed by special transportation bonding. However, he supports a new gas tax if bonding is not possible in the next legislation session. He said he does not consider a wholesale gas tax to be different from a gas tax because the cost is inevitably passed on to users at the pump. He said he opposes a mileage tax, especially because it disproportionately impacts people who commute to their job.

"It's important we do something to ensure safety and grow jobs. I don't want to be picking our roads up by the handfuls," Gunther said.

Bacon supports proposals for a new gas tax. However, she said a comprehensive approach is needed to fully address the issue. She said she supports increasing DWI fines and dedicating state vehicle leasing fees to transportation projects.

Comparatively, the candidates were more divided over the issue of the state's MNsure program and its various rollout problems.

Bacon said she would never repeal nor replace the state program. Instead, she said she would focus on legislation to ensure the program's website's ability to handle the public demand and make sure competitive plans are available.

Gunther said he opposes the implementation of the federal law and the state's program. He said he would like to see the program repealed because he worries it will negatively impacts the quality of Minnesota's health care, which he said was the best in the country before MNsure was implemented.

However, he said he will not seek the law's repeal, instead focusing on improving the MNsure program. He said the best way to address the program's issues is to work on reducing the overall cost of health care. He said he wants tort reforms to limit the awards lawyers can collect on medical lawsuits and the state to start negotiating the prices of drugs directly with the companies.

The candidates shared their views on how to grow jobs in Minnesota. Bacon said she would focus on the government collaborating with businesses and schools at all levels. She said she would also focus on attracting young families to cities in rural Minnesota.

Gunther said he has three legislative priorities for helping to grow jobs in southern Minnesota. First, he said he wants to push legislation that would provide small grants to help startup businesses with minority owners. Second, he wants to push for more economic development legislation, similar to the JOBZ program to encourage new business. Finally, he wants to promote legislation that would help Minnesota cities work together to collectively lobby for businesses to relocate to their regions.

Minnesota House District 23A covers Faribault and Martin counties, including the cities of Blue Earth and Fairmont, and portions of Jackson and Watonwan counties.

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