[0:05] [Music] [0:24] welcome to the Airing of candidate [0:26] videos produced by League of Women [0:28] Voters Bloomington with a special thank [0:30] you to the city of Bloomington for the [0:31] video production League of Women Voters [0:34] is a nonpartisan organization that never [0:36] endorses candidates or political parties [0:39] the league is dedicated to defending [0:41] democracy and empowering voters to make [0:43] informed decisions at The Ballot Box in [0:46] these videos you will hear candidates [0:47] for the three Minnesota House of [0:49] Representatives seats that represent [0:51] residents living in Bloomington house [0:53] district 50a encompasses a sliver of [0:56] North Central Bloomington and extends [0:58] into AA District 50b covers the western [1:01] side of Bloomington and District 51b [1:04] covers neighborhoods east of Penn Avenue [1:07] legislators elected to the Minnesota [1:08] House of Representatives serve two-year [1:10] terms and are up for election every even [1:13] numbered Year all candidates who filed [1:15] four House Seats in districts 50a 50b [1:18] and 51b this year were invited to [1:21] produce candidate videos [1:40] my name is Julie green and I am running [1:42] to be District 5a's next representative [1:45] I would be honored to earn your vote to [1:48] represent both Bloomington and Idina at [1:50] the capital Bloomington is about [1:52] building Community investing in [1:54] priorities and one another and I am [1:57] running because I believe everyone has [1:58] the right to live in a world world where [2:00] they are safe and free to experience joy [2:03] and safety means different things to [2:05] different people physically safe in our [2:07] homes schools and community and free to [2:10] make our own personal medical decisions [2:12] financially safe in our future with [2:14] affordable homes and the freedom to live [2:16] in the community of our choice with [2:18] clean water and air and emotionally safe [2:22] regardless of our race ethnicity sexual [2:25] orientation gender identity religion age [2:28] and really free to develop the best [2:30] version of ourselves I believe it is [2:33] possible and it will take work I grew up [2:36] outside of Chicago and in my house there [2:38] was a mantra we contribute to make [2:40] things better and that's exactly what [2:42] I've been doing since planting Our Roots [2:43] with my husband John 18 years ago in [2:46] Minnesota we've raised our kids up and [2:49] through the din public schools from ECFE [2:51] all the way through [2:53] graduation I've drawn on my 25 years of [2:56] marketing and business experience and [2:58] have been a consistent contributor [3:00] contributor to the community both in big [3:02] and small ways engaging and getting [3:05] connected to get the work done in [3:08] 2019 the ad Community was at a [3:10] Crossroads with Fair access to Quality [3:13] education at the heart of the [3:14] conversations and our teachers and [3:16] students at the [3:17] center it was a contentious election I [3:20] stepped up and ran for the din School [3:22] Board I won that seat and I just [3:24] completed my four-year term in December [3:26] but how I showed up as a board member is [3:28] more important I was engaged I was [3:31] action oriented and I was a staunch [3:33] advocate for public education my term [3:36] began in January 20120 just before the [3:38] pandemic shut down and there was no [3:41] honeymoon issues were complex and we [3:43] were governing through a crisis [3:45] establishing emergency policies all [3:47] under incredible close public scrutiny [3:50] and I responded by Leading boots on the [3:53] ground I helped lead key efforts that [3:56] had real impact on students families [3:59] teachers and our community at large [4:01] getting emergency food relief to [4:03] families organizing covid testing [4:05] programs and vaccine clinics and driving [4:09] discussions with state and federal [4:11] leaders advocating for funding and [4:14] incredible support that we [4:17] needed I also chaired the legislative [4:19] action committee as a board member [4:21] really bringing student voice front and [4:23] center to conversations about issues the [4:25] rise in mental health struggles the [4:28] impact on students when we don't fully [4:30] fund [4:31] programs I know how critical it is in [4:34] our state for leaders to understand the [4:36] real issues facing school boards and [4:38] districts like the challenges we see [4:40] here in Bloomington with recent cuts to [4:42] staff and efforts to ban books from our [4:45] schools as your legislator you can count [4:48] on me to be accessible to listen and to [4:51] be a strong advocate for our [4:55] schools I bring Innovative thinking and [4:57] I a trusted leader one of the things [4:59] that attracted me to Minnesota is that [5:01] we live among entrepreneurs and [5:04] Visionaries for the last eight years [5:06] I've worked to strengthen this Spirit as [5:07] a leader with [5:08] tedx really helping to illuminate and [5:11] share local ideas that have had Global [5:14] impact including some incredible [5:16] speakers here in [5:18] Bloomington third I hold myself [5:20] accountable Bloomington is a dynamic [5:23] Community leading the state with Forward [5:25] Thinking initiatives like rank Choice [5:26] voting really Paving the way for others [5:29] to also prioritize democracy where the [5:31] majority supports the winner I support [5:34] that [5:35] work 2024 represents one of the most [5:38] important elections of our lifetime here [5:40] in Minnesota we have unfinished business [5:42] to get across the finish line and that [5:45] will help improve the lives of motans [5:47] when we do getting the Equal Rights [5:49] Amendment past and to voters putting [5:52] important Protections in place including [5:54] Reproductive Rights the safe storage of [5:57] firearms and ensuring those lost and [5:59] stol stolen are reported to [6:01] authorities and getting a bonding bill [6:03] passed critical for infrastructure for [6:06] the workings of our [6:08] communities I am ready to lead us and I [6:11] would be honored to have your vote and [6:13] your support I hope you'll reach out to [6:15] me to connect and really share what [6:17] matters most to you because that's [6:18] important to me my website is greenform [6:21] minnesota.com that's G re NE for [6:26] minnesota.com or you can always send me [6:28] an email at Julie or Julie at greenform [6:32] minnesota.com I'll see you at the doors [6:35] and thank you so [6:54] much hi I'm Owen Michaelson and I'm [6:57] excited about the prospect of [6:58] representing blooming andina in the [7:00] Minnesota state [7:02] legislature I've had a passionate desire [7:04] to serve our community and I've had 25 [7:06] years of experience doing so in both [7:08] Bloomington and Idina in coaching Scouts [7:12] and on Edina school board and I deliver [7:15] results I delivered many years of Youth [7:18] environment and Leadership training to [7:20] hundreds of Scouts and their families in [7:23] both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and my [7:26] tireless advocacy for literacy education [7:29] while I was on on the udina school board [7:31] has resulted in literacy education now [7:33] being one of the cornerstones of udina [7:35] public [7:36] schools I want to deliver more results [7:39] for Bloomington Indy and Minnesota I see [7:42] several areas where I can do this and [7:44] I'm many of them are inspired by my [7:45] personal [7:47] experience as a former backpacking guide [7:49] in the San gr to Crystal mountains in [7:51] New Mexico I'm passionate about our [7:54] environment we have only one Earth and [7:56] we need to preserve it I'm excited about [7:58] new developments in carbon capture and [8:00] an energy generation that await [8:02] practical [8:03] development as a former small business [8:06] owner I'm passionate about supporting [8:08] small business and driving job growth as [8:12] a taxpayer I'm [8:14] alarmed that our state budget grew 32% [8:17] since the last [8:18] election many of us are pinched and we [8:20] realize that state that government [8:22] growth like this is [8:24] unsustainable as a husband and father [8:26] I'm concerned that crime is still too [8:28] high in the Twin Cities [8:30] we need to support our law [8:32] enforcement and as a youth leader I'm [8:34] passionate that we leave our next [8:36] Generation off better than we have it [8:38] right now and I'm especially concerned [8:41] that in Minnesota about half of our [8:42] students are not proficient [8:45] readers we must get literacy [8:49] right many adulthood problems such as [8:51] substance abuse criminal justice [8:53] encounters and poverty are strongly [8:55] correlated to [8:56] illiteracy literacy is right now the [8:59] biggest Equity hurdle we face in [9:01] Minnesota it's been thrilling for me [9:03] actually in the past few weeks to be out [9:05] and about door knocking and getting to [9:07] know many of you in Bloomington and [9:08] Idina and one thing I'm struck with is [9:11] how caring and concerned so many [9:14] residents are in Bloomington and Idina [9:17] and how much we share in common how much [9:19] unites [9:20] us I'm excited to bring that Spirit of [9:23] care and concern and unity to St Paul [9:27] and to advocate for Bloomington and [9:28] Edina [9:30] with Civility and [9:32] respect together we have an exciting [9:34] future together I'm Owen Michaelson and [9:36] I'm running for house seat 550a [9:55] thanks hello this is State [9:57] Representative Steve Elkins I'm I'm here [9:59] to ask for your support in my bid for [10:01] reelection to represent Western [10:02] Bloomington in the Minnesota House of [10:05] Representatives my wife Judy and I have [10:07] lived in our home near Lake Normandale [10:08] for almost 40 years our daughters are [10:11] products of the Bloomington school [10:12] system and Judy and I were active [10:14] volunteers through to their graduations [10:16] from Jefferson High School I have over [10:18] 25 years of service to the city of [10:20] Bloomington as a city council member [10:22] planning commissioner Housing and [10:24] Redevelopment Authority commissioner [10:26] Metropolitan Council representative and [10:28] for the last six years as your state [10:30] representative at the Capal where I am [10:32] Vice chair of the veterans committee I'm [10:34] an economist by education and I worked [10:37] in information technology for the last [10:38] 25 years of my career the last 10 of [10:41] which were in healthc care information [10:43] technology I have used the experiences [10:45] gain through my life experiences to [10:47] develop legislation related to local [10:49] government Information Technology [10:51] transportation and health care as this [10:53] message is being recorded we're still [10:55] early in the campaign season and most [10:57] organizations are still in the process [10:59] of determining their endorsements but I [11:02] would like you to know that I am [11:03] committed to defending the rights of [11:04] women and have been endorsed by ra now [11:07] and Planned Parenthood in my previous [11:09] campaigns I'm strongly committed to the [11:11] cause of Public Safety and equal justice [11:13] under the law I'm a graduate of the [11:16] Bloomington Police Citizens Academy and [11:18] Judy and and I are actively involved in [11:20] Mom's demand action which is [11:22] consistently named me a Minnesota [11:24] gunsense candidate for my efforts to [11:26] pass Common Sense gun safety legislation [11:28] J is a retired teacher and the two of us [11:30] have always been strongly supportive of [11:32] bloomington's public schools I have been [11:35] consistently endorsed by the Minnesota [11:36] Education Association for my efforts to [11:39] secure funding for our schools I believe [11:41] that CH climate change is real and from [11:44] my position as a member of the [11:45] transportation committee I have worked [11:47] to promote the electrification of the [11:49] vehicle Fleet because transportation is [11:51] now the single biggest contributor to [11:53] greenhouse gases emissions in Minnesota [11:56] the Sierra Club and conservation [11:57] Minnesota have consistently recognize me [12:00] for these efforts I've been a strong [12:02] advocate for the development of [12:03] Workforce housing by providing support [12:05] for increased funding and by developing [12:07] my own regulatory reform legislation [12:10] housing first named me their 2023 [12:13] legislator of the year for my efforts I [12:15] support universal access to healthcare [12:18] thanks to a bill that I passed in 2023 [12:20] you can now shop Hospital prices for [12:23] healthcare services that you're facing [12:24] at turquoise health.com website to [12:27] reduce the cost of prescription drugs [12:30] Senator man and I are actively working [12:31] to reform the role that Pharmacy benefit [12:34] managers play in the drug Marketplace [12:36] the Minnesota Nurses Association has [12:38] endorsed me in each of my legislative [12:40] campaigns to date I've consistently [12:43] supported the rights of workers and have [12:44] been regularly endorsed by the AFL CIO [12:47] and other individual unions you can [12:50] check the status of my 2024 endorsements [12:53] on my website at elkens forhouse tocom [12:56] during my time in the legislature I've [12:58] leveraged my experience and information [12:59] technology to ensure that the transition [13:02] from minars to the replacement mind [13:03] drive system for driver's licenses and [13:06] vehicle registrations would go smoothly [13:08] and it did I now work behind the scenes [13:11] to ensure that every new program enacted [13:13] by the state legislature including the [13:15] new paid family and Med uh Medical Leave [13:18] Act is supported by a well-planned and [13:20] realistic Information Technology [13:22] information plan around the capital I'm [13:25] frequently complimented for my [13:26] thoughtful and knowledgeable approach to [13:28] legislating by which I think people mean [13:30] that they appreciate the fact that I [13:32] always do my homework and consider each [13:34] issue from all sides before drafting [13:36] legislation as an example I collabor [13:38] collaborated for five years with a [13:40] bipartisan group of legislators from [13:42] several other states to draft [13:44] comprehensive consumer data privacy [13:46] legislation I took input from over 125 [13:49] different stakeholders during the [13:50] drafting of this legislation this year [13:53] the resulting bill passed every [13:54] committee with broad pip partisan [13:56] support and is now being hailed as the [13:58] best data State data Privacy Law in the [14:01] country I'm continuing to work with the [14:03] same group of legislators on artificial [14:05] intelligence legislation and I'm also [14:07] working with Senator clob bashar's staff [14:09] to improve a new federal privacy bill [14:11] that's curently being drafted this year [14:14] representative Lucy rean I passed a bill [14:16] that accelerates Minnesota's adoption of [14:18] speed limit policy reforms enacted by [14:20] the US Department of Transportation [14:23] continuing a line of Transportation [14:25] safety research and legislation [14:27] extending back to my time on the [14:28] Bloomington city council legislation [14:31] that's now being reflected and reduced [14:32] speed limits in our residential [14:34] neighborhoods finally I'd like to thank [14:36] the Bloomington League of Women Voters [14:37] for the opportunity to present this [14:39] video Judy and I have been members of [14:41] The League for years and I invite you to [14:43] visit my website at elens forh house.com [14:46] for more information about my work at [14:48] the capital [15:06] my name is Bob Gus and I'm running for [15:08] seat 50b to the Minnesota House of [15:10] Representatives 50b uh is goes from pen [15:14] Avenue on the east side all the way to [15:17] uh Highway 169 and it goes from 84th [15:20] Street all the way down uh to the river [15:22] it's basically what we think of as West [15:25] Bloomington my goal is to represent the [15:28] people who live in that District too too [15:31] many times politicians represent either [15:33] what their political party tells them to [15:35] represent what their special interest [15:37] tell them to represent or sometimes even [15:39] worse what they think is probably best [15:41] for you as opposed to what you might [15:44] think is best for you now I think the [15:48] question that most voters should ask is [15:50] how much do you think the current [15:53] legislator priorities align with yours [15:57] uh if you're watching this you probably [15:59] somewhat tuned in and you know that the [16:01] first thing that the legislature did [16:02] when the Democrats took control of both [16:04] sides of the House of of of the house [16:07] and the Senate was to um uh legalize uh [16:12] uh voting for felons and um driver's [16:15] licenses for [16:18] non-citizens now those might both be all [16:21] right ideas but were they your highest [16:23] priority because they were our [16:24] legislator's highest [16:26] priority as uh the session went went [16:29] along um we found out we had a big big [16:32] Surplus did we get our money back well [16:35] sort of we didn't really get back the [16:37] money we'd paid in but there were [16:39] refunds made in a sort of a you know [16:42] redistributive type of way and but what [16:45] was worse than that is not that we [16:47] didn't get the money back it's that [16:50] rather than lowering taxes rather than [16:51] saying look we we raised way more than [16:53] we needed so why don't we lower the [16:55] taxes they decided to increase spending [16:58] increase spending by I understand to be [17:01] 40% so that they don't have that issue [17:03] again in the future so what's next um [17:08] Banning gas stoves um they I think they [17:11] talked about uh making us a sanctuary [17:13] State these are not things that I think [17:16] my district is is really the type of [17:20] thing that they're looking for I think [17:21] they're looking for someone to go to St [17:23] Paul and represent their interests now [17:27] Ste I'm running against Steve who is [17:29] literally my neighbor um he lives across [17:32] the street and up about four doors and [17:34] Steve is a nice guy I think I've even [17:36] voted for Steve but he has been kind of [17:39] a reliable vote for some stuff that's [17:42] kind of extreme and the the main thing [17:46] or the what what sort of the main thing [17:48] that Steve Elkins authored is the law [17:50] that takes uh residential zoning out of [17:54] the hands of of the local municipalities [17:58] and so the law that they passed allows [18:01] or or requires cities to allow teardowns [18:04] to be replaced with multif family [18:06] housing so my question to everybody in [18:08] West Bloomington most of which is [18:11] already filled with housing stock and [18:12] most people who moved into a single [18:14] family neighborhood H how is that in [18:17] your interest how is it in your interest [18:19] to have what was zoned as single family [18:22] and now it's becoming more crowded now [18:24] that was all done under the guise of um [18:27] affordable housing and it is true that [18:30] once you start doing that and changing [18:33] the essential makeup of a neighborhood [18:35] you're probably going to lower property [18:36] values and so but I don't think that's [18:38] the way to achieve affordable housing so [18:41] my goal in going to St Paul is to [18:45] represent what I believe are the [18:48] people's interests not my personal [18:50] interests although I hope my personal [18:52] interests align with the other people in [18:55] my district and so for that I'm asking [18:58] for your vote again I'm Bob gust looking [19:02] forward to representing [19:20] you hi everyone I'm Nathan cter and I'm [19:24] excited to be running for reelection to [19:26] continue serving our neighbors in [19:28] eastern Bloomington in the Minnesota [19:30] House of [19:31] Representatives when I Ran 2 years ago I [19:34] said let's get to work and I focus on [19:38] that phrase because I think it's what [19:40] motans expect from our leaders or at [19:43] least what we want to expect folks are [19:46] sick of everyone going to their own [19:48] corners and sniping at each other and [19:50] calling that doing something they're [19:52] tired of politicians who are more [19:54] concerned with their reach on social [19:56] media than with their impact on people [19:58] lives and they are frustrated with a [20:01] lack of progress on the issues they know [20:04] are important I said let's get to work [20:08] because I promised that's what I do when [20:10] I got to St Paul I say it because I mean [20:13] it and I am so proud that our dfl [20:16] majority has shown that we mean it [20:19] too Paid Family and Medical Leave gun [20:23] laws gun safety laws that we know will [20:25] save lives historic lifechanging [20:28] investments in early childhood k12 and [20:31] higher [20:32] education 100% clean energy by 2040 [20:37] protecting our democracy and [20:39] Reproductive Rights standing with our [20:41] lgbtq plus neighbors and Union families [20:45] breakfast and lunch for every kid who [20:47] walks through a Schoolhouse door and a [20:50] child tax credit that we estimate will [20:52] cut childhood poverty by [20:55] oneir folks that's just some of the list [20:58] we need to protect those accomplishments [21:01] and build on them in my time in the [21:03] legislature I'm proud to have led on [21:06] investing more than $300 million into [21:09] our early learning scholarships ensuring [21:12] that thousands more Minnesota kids will [21:14] have access to quality affordable early [21:17] care and learning I was also the author [21:19] of the bill to convert our state renters [21:21] credit into an income tax credit which [21:24] will automatically put hundreds of [21:26] dollars back in the pockets of hundreds [21:29] of thousands of renters who are almost [21:32] by definition lower income but also [21:34] disproportionately seniors and folks [21:37] with [21:38] disabilities this session I passed [21:41] Nation leading regulations on online [21:43] program managers in our public colleges [21:46] and universities bringing transparency [21:48] and accountability to these big [21:50] businesses and protecting the Integrity [21:53] of the dollars that the state and [21:55] Minnesota families put into higher [21:57] education [21:59] in my first term I have regularly [22:01] focused on building a property tax [22:03] system that works for everyone [22:05] strengthening the voice of Voters in our [22:08] elections and addressing the crisis we [22:10] face in child care what I continue to [22:13] believe is the biggest social and [22:15] economic issue we face in Minnesota and [22:18] I am incredibly energized to continue [22:20] that [22:21] work now let's be clear we know what [22:24] we'll hear from the other side we know [22:27] we'll hear that min motans don't like [22:29] things we know we like that motans don't [22:33] want things we know we want that motans [22:36] don't need things we know we need we [22:40] know we'll hear plenty of hate and [22:42] grievance we know we'll hear that the [22:44] only thing worse than the problems that [22:46] motans face is actually trying to solve [22:50] them I've never believe that and I don't [22:53] think most folks in Bloomington do [22:55] either that's why I'm running again and [22:58] why asking for your vote you can learn [23:01] more about my campaign at www. neighbors [23:05] for.com and I'm always happy to answer [23:09] questions I continue to be just [23:11] profoundly grateful for the opportunity [23:13] to serve our state and Community where I [23:16] grew up and where my kids are growing up [23:19] and I'm ready to keep fighting to make [23:21] things better so let's get to work again [23:25] thank you [23:43] first thank you to the league of Ven [23:45] voters for providing this platform my [23:46] name is Dale Johnson on the ballot I am [23:49] lion Dale Johnson and lion is because my [23:51] many years of service to the Lions [23:52] International largest volunteer service [23:55] organization in the world [23:59] I made the choice to step in away from [24:01] my relatively easy simple life and run [24:03] for office because things have gotten [24:04] too far away from serving the wishes of [24:06] the majority of Minnesota in the last [24:09] two years the spending of the state has [24:11] skyrocketed they increased the budget by [24:13] over 40% they made promises when running [24:16] for office and then disregarded their [24:18] commitments once they got in they spent [24:20] 17.6 billion that was a surplus and then [24:24] added $10 billion more of spending I [24:28] believe the common sense needs to be [24:30] used when spending your tax dollars [24:32] their actions over the last two years in [24:34] particular show that they can't be [24:36] trusted with your money we spend more on [24:38] education than most States and still [24:42] Minnesota students and Bloomington [24:44] students uh educational scores are [24:47] declining um honesty matters Character [24:51] Matters Civility and common courtesy [24:54] matters programs that benefit the [24:56] population equally matter entitlement [25:00] comes from doing something you are not [25:02] entitled to be paid you work you are [25:05] entitled to be paid your life choices do [25:09] not entitle you I'm politely asking for [25:12] your support and your vote my opponent [25:14] will have all the huge political [25:15] establishment he has made his living off [25:18] of to fund him the teachers union and [25:20] other unions will spend the money they [25:21] make from Members checks every payday to [25:24] give to him and the special interest [25:26] groups even outside of Bloomington [25:28] Minnesota will be giving him money time [25:30] and volunteering to get him elected if [25:32] you want change I need you to double [25:35] their efforts and support our voices I [25:38] will glad to come to your block party [25:39] your Gathering your neighbors and have a [25:41] conversation with you I cannot promise [25:43] Miracles even though I have experienced [25:45] them in my life I can promise you [25:48] honesty and Clarity realize the people [25:50] who are writing bills you deceptive [25:52] wording to get it out in the news and [25:54] then no one takes the time to actually [25:56] see what's in the bill there's so much [25:59] more I want to share with you to help [26:01] you see how this game is played please [26:03] vote for me lion Dale [26:08] Johnson thank you to the candidates for [26:11] appearing in these videos thank you [26:13] audience for viewing these videos voters [26:16] remember to vote in the general election [26:18] on or before November 5th to learn more [26:20] about voting and registering to vote go [26:22] to the Minnesota Secretary of State's [26:24] website at MN votes.gov