Elections 2016: House District 67B candidates

Oct. 20--For candidate profiles in other east metro races, go to www.twincities.com/elections.

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HOUSE DISTRICT 67B

Lisa Thompson

* Age: 45

* Political party: Republican

* Residence: St. Paul

* What qualifies you to hold this position? As a small business owner in the health industry, I spend my days listening to people and helping them find solutions to make their lives better. I believe our legislature needs more people like this, who are willing to listen to others on tough issues and keep the conversations about them going so we can all work together toward positive change.

* What would your top priorities be if elected? If elected, my top priorities would be finding solutions to keep our urban communities safe, promoting a positive environment for small business growth in Minnesota and improving our health care system so hard-working Minnesotans have better and more affordable options for insurance and care.

* What do you think is the primary role of government? I believe the primary role of government is to provide solutions to every day problems of the community, such as public safety, without unnecessarily restricting individual rights.

* Website or contact: thompsonformnhouse.com

Sheldon Johnson

* Age: 62

* Political party: DFL

* Residence: St. Paul

* What qualifies you to hold this position? M.A. University of St. Thomas. Chair of several Minnesota House Committees, first elected in 2000. Chief Author of Metro State U Science Building and Library. Chief Author for Minnesota Office of Broadband. 34 year career as Ramsey County corrections worker, including Teamsters Union Steward. Past president of local PTA and District Council.

* What would your top priorities be if elected? Racial and economic justice. We need to work towards justice in our communities of color, and throughout all of our neighborhoods. Important initiatives include workforce development and training, and helping minority owned businesses get a foothold in our communities. Ensuring affordable, quality, health care for all will also move us forward.

* What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to provide the opportunity to succeed as one chooses. This means ensuring a good education for all children, an efficient transportation system, and affordable health care. The government also needs to make sure that we have clean air and water, and as well as public safety that meets the needs of our citizens.

* Website or contact: sheldonjohnson.com

Joseph Weverka

* Age: 33

* Political party: Libertarian

* Residence: St. Paul

* What qualifies you to hold this position? I am not a politician. I am an average person looking to fulfill my civic duty. I am married with 5 children and I am a small business owner. I fight to bring awareness to veteran suicides through an organization called 22 a Day is 22 Too many. I sit on a board, through them, to maintain a balanced budget and coordinate events.

* What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priorities are to help expand medical treatment options for those suffering from mental disorders such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. To employ a small business forgiveness plan that would eliminate vacant properties. I also would like to repeal blue laws and encourage legalization of marijuana and hemp products.

* What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to protect the rights and liberties of all citizens. The constitution is designed to limit their power to prevent the government from infringing on an individual's rights. If elected I will fight for all individual rights.

* Website or contact: joeweverka.com

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