Q&A with Jeff Howe and Michael Willemsen, Senate District 13 candidates

Sep. 17--This is the first in a series of question-and-answer reports covering candidates in legislative Districts 13, 14 and 15.

--Early voting starts Friday. That means it's time to start researching candidates.

Sen. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, is running for re-election against DFLer Michael Willemsen of Sauk Rapids. The two will face off to serve Senate District 13.

Former Senate President Michelle Fischbach, a Republican, held the seat for most of the last decade. Howe replaced her in a special 2018 election.

Senate District 13 includes Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Stephen, Holdingford, Avon, St. Joseph, Cold Spring, Richmond, Paynesville, Rockville, Roscoe and Kimball.

Howe, 61, served in the state House, and he worked in the fire service and is a veteran. Willemsen, 38, is an eligibility specialist for Benton County.

The two have very different politics and shared their views with the St. Cloud Times in a survey sent to all local legislative candidates.

Here's what Howe and Willemsen think on topics from COVID-19 and racism to the economy and climate change.

Their top priorities

What is your top priority if elected to the Legislature?

HOWE: Our state must recover from the COVID-19 virus to include students, families and businesses.

WILLEMSEN: If elected, I intend to push for 100% renewable energy by 2030. Climate change is the biggest existential threat to humanity. Minnesota can be the guiding North Star of the nation by taking leadership to combat climate change.

COVID-19 and public health

What would you do in the Legislature, if anything, to mitigate the public health crisis of COVID-19?

HOWE: Promote policies that would isolate and assist those that are most at risk of the virus. This would include those in assisted living, nursing homes and congregant living facilities. Many of these patients need to have additional help and funding to ensure they get the care they need.

WILLEMSEN: Encourage a meat-free diet.

The economy

What would you do as a member of the Legislature to mitigate the economic crisis caused by COVID-19?

HOWE: The businesses need to have the opportunity to safely open up and give people the freedom to choose the risk they want to take. The current policies that Gov. Tim Walz has businesses operating under are causing our economic crisis. Many businesses have closed and will never open again, which has devastated our economy and the looming budget deficits for the state and cities.

WILLEMSEN: Tax the rich. Legalize marijuana.

The budget deficit

How will you manage the state's projected budget deficit as a member of the Legislature? What will you prioritize or cut in the budget?

HOWE: We have asked the governor and his commissioners for their recommendations and implored them to address it now rather than in February. They have not responded, but I believe that the sooner we start to plan, the better we will be able to manage the deficit.

Agencies should have found efficiencies during this virus crisis that will help them reduce their budgets. Families are struggling, and raising taxes is not an option.

WILLEMSEN: We need to heal our broken health care system. By implementing a Minnesota Health Plan, as outlined by Sen. John Marty, D-Roseville, we could save our state money and provide a single statewide plan that would cover all Minnesotans for all their medical needs.

Drawing new political districts

How will you approach redistricting after the 2020 census? What are your thoughts on gerrymandering and partisan election maps?

HOWE: Redistricting is outlined in the Constitution as a legislative responsibility, and I believe that it should be done in a bipartisan manner and without a result in mind. I do not believe changing the process will provide a better outcome.

WILLEMSEN: I would advocate for an independent commission. Or, even better, we could simply let computers do the drawing for us. I think this would be the best way to avoid partisan gerrymandering.

Race and racism

What would you like to do, if anything, to address racist policies or racial inequality in Minnesota?

HOWE: I believe that everyone should be respected and treated with dignity. That is a two-way street. If you treat a person with respect you should anticipate to be treated in the same manner. We need to provide opportunities to obtain a good education, which will lead to good jobs and a better standard of living.

WILLEMSEN: Black Lives Matter. Systemic racism exists. When we think about "The New Jim Crow" and the need for criminal justice reform, we must acknowledge a history of privilege. I support law enforcement, but transparent accountability, along with additional training,are needed for those who serve this important role within our communities.

Climate and energy

What would you do, if anything, to address climate change or alter energy policy in Minnesota?

HOWE: Everyone wants to protect our environment. I have never talked to anyone that supports dirty water or air. We should continue to incentivize technology that allow businesses to be more efficient. The market does an excellent job in selecting technologies that reduce waste and promote efficiencies.

WILLEMSEN: Minnesota is on the right track, but there is no time to lose. We must take affirmative action to create a comprehensive renewable energy infrastructure. Continued public education on reducing consumption would also be a sound investment of taxpayer money.

The election is Nov. 3. Early and absentee voting starts Friday.

Nora Hertel is the government watchdog reporter for the St. Cloud Times. Reach her at 320-255-8746 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @nghertel.

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