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.

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Voter Guide

Minnesota State Senate District 44

The chief function of a legislator is to enact laws. Each legislator represents a certain area as well as a number of individuals, referred to as constituents, who live in that area. In Minnesota, a state senator represents roughly 78,000 people, while a representative or house member represents approximately 39,000 people. There are 67 members in the Senate and 134 in the House. Senators’ terms are four years (two years in the first election following redistricting) while House members terms are two years.Learn more at the MN Senate website.Watch a candidate forum for this race recorded on September 17, 2026.

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  • Candidate picture

    Sam Rosemark
    (DFL)

  • Candidate picture

    James Tacheny
    (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)

Do you support the adoption of a ballot issue to add the Equal Rights Amendment into the Minnesota State Constitution - why or why not? (500 characters)

What legislation, if any, would you support to protect clean air and water in Minnesota? (500 characters)

What legislation, if any, would you support to meet the need for safe communities? (500 characters)

What changes to legislation would you support to reduce the influence of big money in elections? (500 characters)

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Campaign Website http://samrosemark.com
telephone 6513578713
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/SamRosemarkforMNSenate
Campaign Twitter Handle @samrosemark
Campaign Email campaign@samrosemark.com
My top three priorities are strengthening public education, lowering costs for working families and seniors, and protecting our communities and environment.

As a local school board member and public school graduate, I see firsthand how rising costs and inadequate state funding affect our classrooms. We must fully fund our schools and reduce reliance on local property taxes.

I will also work to lower the cost of healthcare, housing, childcare, and energy so working families and seniors can afford to stay in their communities.

Finally, I will protect clean air and water, address PFAS contamination, strengthen public safety, and defend the rights and freedoms of every Minnesotan.
A strong economy starts with making Minnesota affordable for the people who live and work here. Raised by small business owners, I understand the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and local employers.

I will work to lower healthcare, housing, childcare, and energy costs while streamlining the process of starting a small business. We must invest in the University of Minnesota, which drives innovation and prepares a strong workforce, while ensuring larger corporations pay their fair share.
Every Minnesotan should have a fair opportunity to succeed, regardless of race, ethnicity, or ZIP code. I will support efforts to close disparities in education, healthcare, housing, employment, and public safety. That includes investing in schools and early learning, expanding pathways to homeownership and good-paying jobs, supporting minority-owned small businesses, and ensuring everyone receives equal treatment under the law.
Yes. Every Minnesotan deserves equal protection under the law. As a gay man, I know the importance of ensuring our rights do not depend on who holds political power. I support giving voters the opportunity to add an Equal Rights Amendment to our state Constitution protecting Minnesotans from discrimination based on race, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics. These fundamental protections should be safeguarded for future generations.
Growing up in the East Metro near the 3M Superfund site, I know clean water cannot be taken for granted. I will defend Minnesota's nation-leading PFAS protections, hold polluters accountable for cleanup costs, and strengthen protections for drinking water. I also support replacing lead pipes, protecting wetlands and groundwater, investing in clean energy, and ensuring state agencies have the resources to enforce our environmental laws.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, school, and community. Gun violence is the leading cause of death for American children and teens. I support universal background checks, red flag laws, and bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. I also support giving law enforcement the resources and training needed to keep us safe while strengthening and ensuring community relationships, transparency, and accountability.
Elections should be decided by voters, not the biggest checkbook. I oppose the Citizens United decision, and I’m proud that my campaign is powered by grassroots supporters. I support stronger disclosure requirements so voters know who is funding political advertising and independent expenditures. I also support strengthening Minnesota’s public campaign financing system and closing loopholes that allow wealthy interests to obscure the true sources of political spending.
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Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund

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.