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 Senate District 24

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, funding for the judicial system.Senate - “Upper chamber” with 67 districts (redistricting takes place every 10 years following the census). Senators typically serve 4 year terms.Watch a candidate forum for this race recorded on September 9, 2026.

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  • Candidate picture

    Simon Glaser
    (DFL)

  • Candidate picture

    Nels T. Pierson
    (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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As a public school teacher, I understand the struggles of working people, and that’s why I am running a campaign about putting the needs of people first. In Minnesota right now, that means making life more affordable for working people, protecting our tax dollars by rooting out fraud, and taking on our broken healthcare system. This country used to do a better job of looking out for people who work for a living, and that is exactly what I plan to do for the people of this district. We should be able to see a doctor when we are sick. We shouldn't be struggling to fill our tanks with gas or our pantries with groceries. And we shouldn’t have to wonder if our hard-earned tax dollars are being stolen.
Minnesota has always been ranked among the very best places to do business, and also to raise a family. It’s no coincidence that we are on both lists. I believe one of the best ways we can ensure our state and its businesses thrive is by attracting and retaining great workers who have access to a high quality of life. This means making sure our schools remain strong, and our costs come down. It also means taking steps to encourage and support small business, particularly in our rural areas.
We must ensure that public resources reach underserved communities, address inequities in our schools and healthcare system, and strengthen protections against discrimination. I would support legislation that expands access to high-quality public and higher education, affordable healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities for all Minnesotans. Government works best when every Minnesotan, regardless of race or ethnicity, has the opportunity to succeed with dignity.
I am proud that Minnesota was among the first states to pass the Federal ERA back in the 1970s, and I would be proud to pass a statewide ERA. Our status under the law should never be diminished based on our gender. Equality under the law is a cornerstone of American democracy. It’s just that simple.
We can build the strongest economy in the world, but what use will it be if in 30 years our water and air are polluted? As a state we must continue to invest in proven alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. We must continue to work with our farmers to develop safe and regenerative practices such as cover crops and voluntary soil health projects, including those that explore the creative use of livestock for this purpose.
Safe communities require effective law enforcement, strong neighborhoods, and investments in prevention. I would support legislation that ensures local law enforcement has the resources and training it needs, strengthens efforts to prevent gun violence, and expands access to mental health services, especially in our schools. We must hold people accountable for violent crime while protecting constitutional rights and building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Minnesota does a good job limiting money in state elections. We have a cap on how much money we can spend, and donors are limited on how much they can give. However, we allow unlimited spending on attack ads from outside organizations, often bankrolled by large corporate interests such as big pharma and technology companies. On the federal level, corporate spending is even worse. Corporate money must be kept out of politics, or at least heavily regulated and limited, just like campaign 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.