Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

  • Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues.
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Voter Guide

Minnesota State House District 1B

The lower chamber of the Minnesota legislature has two representatives per senate district for a total of 134.Representatives are elected every two years.They write and vote on legislation to create, repeal, or change state laws affecting many issues, like health care, the environment, and the economy. They also vote on state taxes and the state spending. What your state legislature does affects many facets of your life—the taxes you pay, the highways on which you drive, public schools, the state-supported colleges and universities you or your children might attend, the state parks that provide recreation for you and your family, social programs, and funding for the judicial system.

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  • Candidate picture

    Mike Christopherson
    (DFL)

  • Candidate picture

    Steve Gander
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (750 characters)

What will you do to support a vibrant economy across Minnesota and to address inflation? (500 character)

What legislation, if any, would you support to address racial or ethnic disparities in Minnesota? (500 characters)

What legislation, if any, would you support to address climate change and its effects in Minnesota? (500 characters)

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Campaign Website http://mikechristopherson.com
Contact Phone 218 280-0771
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559816647794
Campaign Twitter Handle @@MC4House1B
Campaign Email christopherson1B@gmail.com
1. Rural Vitality: This includes accessible, excellent rural healthcare, licensed affordable childcare, a variety of housing options in our rural communities, and consistent broadband internet. These are all issues that warrant bipartisan support across rural Minnesota. 2. Public Education: After 20+ years as a journalist at the Crookston Times, I'm in my fourth year teaching at Fisher School. I see daily the challenges facing our students, teachers, families and school districts. 3. Family Farmers and Agribusiness: This is the backbone of our rural Minnesota economy and it's massive impact extends far beyond our borders. Our farms and agribusinesses need the right tools to thrive.
The State can be a valuable partner with local governments, the private sector and innovative entrepreneurs to grow our state's economy. This should be a constant topic of discussion at the legislature. As for inflation, we need to take measures to curb corporate greed. Inflation just doesn't magically occur. Coming out of the pandemic, corporations raised prices on their goods and services and used record profits to buy back stock and boost investor profits. Consumers literally pay the price.
I would support any reasonable legislation that seeks to address racial or ethnic disparities in Minnesota. I like to talk to my students about empathy, and that everyone is guilty of prematurely judging others from time to time for a variety of reasons, even if we're not entirely aware that we're doing so. Often, the color of a person's skin or their ethnicity trigger those pre-judgments. Can the State address this in a positive manner with the best intentions? It's worth talking about.
When it comes to climate change, the status quo is no longer an option. Renewable energy resources such as solar power and wind have in recent years become much more affordable and financially feasible, and they provide consistent, reliable power. Private-sector providers like Xcel Energy are being leaders on this forefront. Our state has more than 11,000 lakes and other natural wonders to protect. We can be a leader in the fight against climate change and also be pro-business and pro-farmer.
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The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.