LOCAL ELECTION FORUM FROM PIONEER PBS.

THIS SEASON WE ASKED EVERY CANDIDATE THE SAME LIST OF QUESTIONS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF LEGISLATOR THEY WILL BE IF ELECTED.

IN THIS EPISODE WILL MEET CANDIDATES FROM HOUSE DISTRICT 15B.

DISTRICT LINES HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE 2020 SEND SIS.

DISTRICT 15B IS MADE UP OF REDWOOD, BROWN AND NEW EARTH COUNTIES.

TO FIND OUT WHICH DISTRICT YOU LIVE IN VISIT MN VOTES.ORG.

NOW LET'S "MEET THE CANDIDATES".

WE WILL START WITH DFL CANDIDATE TOM KUSTER.

>> I'M A RETIRED COLLEGE TEACHER WHO ENTERED THIS RACE BECAUSE YOUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE WAS ABOUT TO RUN UNOPPOSED AND I BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY.

I THINK YOU DESERVE A CHOICE AT THE BALLOT BOX.

IN FACT, I THINK THE BROWN AND REDWOOD COUNTY RESIDENTS AND VOTERS DESERVE A BETTER REPRESENTATIVE THAN THEY CURRENTLY HAVE.

IN ORDER TO CLARIFY YOUR CHOICE, WE NEED TO LOOK AT YOUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE'S RECORD.

HE'S RUN FOR MANY YEARS IN WHAT'S CONSIDERED A SAFE REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

THAT MEANS HE REALLY DOESN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO EARN YOUR VOTE EXCEPT PUT AN R BEHIND HIS NAME.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I THINK HE'S DEVELOPED A LEGISLATIVE STYLE THAT I WOULD CALL WAIT AND LET THINGS HAPPEN.

WE SAW THAT WITH HIGHWAY 14.

IT TOOK WAY TOO LONG.

WE ARE SEEING THAT NOW WITH BROADBAND, EVEN THROUGH COVID WHEN THE KIDS HAD TO STUDY FROM HOME AND EVEN NOW BROWN AND REDWOOD COUNTIES RANK IN THE BOTTOM FOURTH, BOTTOM 20 OF 87 MINNESOTA COUNTIES IN BROADBAND PRESENTATION.

I THINK YOU ARE NOT WELL SERVED BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WAITS AND LETS THINGS HAPPEN.

I INTEND TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT ACTS AND MAKES THINGS HAPPEN.

THAT'S THE CHOICE I HAVE TO OFFER YOU IN THIS ELECTION.

THEN THERE'S THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES TODAY, BUT NONE OF THEM WILL MATTER MUCH IF IN 2025 WE DON'T HAVE A DEMOCRACY ANYMORE.

I HOPE BEFORE YOU VOTE YOU WILL WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ME, AND YOU WILL CHECK OUT MY BED ROCK PRINCIPLES AND WHAT THEY MEAN AT MY WEBSITE.

IT'S TOM FOR REP.NET.

>> WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR DISTRICT?

>> I WANT TO REPRESENT YOU AND REDWOOD AND BROWN COUNTIES BECAUSE I KNOW THERE ARE PROBLEMS HERE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED THAT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY YOUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU KNOW THE MANY THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATURE COULD BE DEALING WITH THAT WOULD MAKE YOUR LIVES BETTER.

I HAVE LOOKED AT THE RECORD, AND I DON'T SEE ANY INDICATION THAT YOUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES ARE DOING ANYTHING OR EVEN THINKING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS, THINGS LIKE THESE.

I HAVE A LIST.

BREAKING THE MEAT LOCKER BOTTLE NECK, CURBING CONSOLIDATION OF SUPPLIERS AND MARKETS, HELPING WITH FALL FERTILIZER COSTS, MANAGING THE RISK FORBIDDER AND ANIMAL DISEASES, DEALING WITH STRAY VOLTAGE ON DAIRY FARMS, MAKING CHILD CARE AFFORDABLE, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO HELP WITH THE WORKER SHORTAGE, DEALING WITH THE LOCAL FENTANYL CRISIS, FIXING THE CRISIS IN NURSING HOMES.

WE ARE LOSING NURSING HOMES IN OUR DISTRICT.

SHORTAGES OF SOCIAL WORKERS, SHORTAGES OF TEACHERS, SCHOOL STAFF, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, MEAT PACKERS, FARM WORKERS.

I'M AFRAID THIS LIST COULD GO ON.

ISSUES THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH THAT ARE BEING IGNORED BY YOUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES.

YOU MIGHT THINK ONE NEW LAWMAKER, GO UP TO ST. PAUL AND DEAL WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS.

WELL, IF THAT LAWMAKERS IS A WAIT AND LET THINGS HAPPEN REPRESENTATIVE, THEN NONE OF THEM WILL BE DEALT WITH.

BUT IF YOU ELECT INSTEAD AN ACT AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN REPRESENTATIVE, WELL, I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TOGETHER WITH YOU AND SEEING WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> I HAVE SEVERAL PRIORITIES BUT THE FIRST ONE EFFECTS THEM ALL.

IT'S LEGISLATIVE REFORM.

WE ARE ALL TIRED OF LEGISLATION THAT DOESN'T GET DONE, THAT LEGISLATORS ARE NOT GETTING THEIR WORK DONE.

LAST YEAR THEY NEEDED A SPECIAL SESSION.

THE YEAR BEFORE THAT, THEY NEEDED WHAT, 7 SPECIAL SESSIONS, AND THIS YEAR AGAIN THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT NEEDING ANOTHER ONE.

THEY LEFT THE CAPITAL WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE NEED NOW JUST SITTING THERE, THINGS LIKE ELIMINATING THE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY, CRIME FIGHTING MONEY, SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.

SCHOOL HAS STARTED ALREADY.

ELDER CARE, PROJECTS THAT WILL JUST BE MORE EXPENSIVE NEXT YEAR, REBATE CHECKS IN YOUR POCKETS.

THESE ARE ALL JUST LEFT SITTING THERE.

WE NEED THEM NOW.

THERE ARE WAYS TO REFORM THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS SO THAT IT GETS ITS WORK DONE.

MY OTHER PRIORITIES INCLUDE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THAT MEANS, FIRST OF ALL, THE FARM ECONOMY.

OUR COMMUNITIES PROSPER WHEN FARMERS HAVE FAIR AND COMPETITIVE MARKETS.

IT MEANS GETTING INFRASTRUCTURE OUT THERE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BROADBAND, CHILD CARE, MEASURES TO SOLVE THE LABOR SHORTAGE.

MY THIRD PRIORITY IS SOCIAL SERVICES.

THEY TOUCH THE FAMILIES OF OUR DISTRICT MOST CLOSELY.

THAT'S ANOTHER AREA THAT I WANT TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO.

LEGISLATIVE REFORM, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES.

THOSE WOULD BE MY TOP PRIORITIES.

>> WHAT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE DO YOU BRING TO THE MINNESOTA HOUSE?

>> I BRING THE PERSPECTIVE AND THE SKILL AND EXPERIENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE.

THIS, TOO, GIVES YOU A CHOICE IN THIS ELECTION.

COMING FROM A RURAL DISTRICT, SOME PEOPLE SAY WE SHOULD SEND A FARMER TO ST. PAUL.

WE HAVE GOOD FARMERS IN OUR DISTRICT, BUT IF YOU GO TO THE CAPITAL, YOU WON'T FIND MUCH FARMING GOING ON THERE.

WHAT YOU FIND GOING ON THERE IS ADVOCACY.

I WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT I WON'T EVER KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT FARMING AS YOU PEOPLE, YOU MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN OUT THERE DOING IT ALL YOUR LIVES, JUST AS I WON'T KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT RUNNING A PLATTE AS JEFF EBBERSON.

WON'T KNOW AS MUCH AS RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS THAT BROUGHT THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

THEY ARE TRUE HEROES.

MY JOB AS A LEGISLATOR IS NOT TO KNOW MORE THAN YOU BUT REPRESENT YOU AND ADVOCATE FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR INTERESTS, THINGS THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER, AND THAT I'M EXPERIENCED AND GOOD AT.

ADVOCACY MEANS FIRST OF ALL LISTENING TO YOU, AND I KNOW HOW TO LISTEN WITH MY EARS AND WITH MY HEAD AND WITH MY HEART.

AFTER I LISTEN TO YOU AND LEARN WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER, WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON DEVELOPING POLICY PROPOSALS, A CASE IN FAVOR, A GOOD WELL FACT FOUNDED CASE IN FAVOR OF THE POLICIES THAT WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR LIVES, AND THEN WE WILL WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A COALITION OF PEOPLE TO MAKE YOUR CASE STRONGER, AND WE WILL PRESENT IT EFFECTIVELY AND STRONGLY INTO PLACES WHERE DECISION MAKING IS DONE.

THAT'S HOW THINGS GET DONE, AND THAT'S THE SERVICE AND THE EXPERIENCE, THE SKILL THAT I OFFER YOU.

I HAVE RECOGNITION ON THE LOCAL AND COMMUNITY AND STATE LEVEL FOR MY ADVOCACY -- FOR ADVOCACY.

THAT'S THE EXPERIENCE AND SKILL THAT I CAN OFFER YOU AS YOUR LEGISLATOR.

>> WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF MINNESOTA?

>> MINNESOTA IS ALREADY A WONDERFUL STATE.

OUR ECONOMY, OUR LIFESTYLE, OUR SCENIC BEAUTY, ESPECIALLY OUR PEOPLE, YOU PEOPLE, WE ARE THE ENVY OF ALL THE STATES ALL AROUND US.

THE FIRST PART OF MY VISION IS TO BUILD ON ALL OF THAT.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS MORE NARROWLY ON THE VISION, OUR VISION FOR OUR AREA BROWN AND REDWOOD COUNTIES.

CAN YOU ENVISION YOUR FARM IN 5 OR 10 YEARS AGO AS A PLACE THAT'S PROSPERING AND A PLACE THAT YOU CAN EASILY PASS ON TO YOUR CHILDREN?

CAN YOU ENVISION YOUR SMALL TOWN FLOURISHING AND SPARKLING?

CAN YOU PICTURE YOUR COMMUNITY AS A PLACE WHERE YOUR KIDS WON'T WANT TO LEAVE, OR IF THEY DO LEAVE FOR A WHILE, THEY WILL WANT TO COME BACK.

LET'S TALK, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT WHAT HIGHWAY 14 TO THE BORDER MIGHT BE.

AFTER 40 YEARS OF TRYING, WE FINALLY GOT HIGHWAY 14, FOUR LANE.

THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF GOVERNOR WALZ WHO COMES FROM THIS AREA AND NEIGHBORING REPRESENTATIVE JEFF BRAND WHO SHOULD BE ELECTED AGAIN, AND THE HARD WORKING HIGHWAY 14 COALITION.

THAT GOT DONE.

I HEAR PEOPLE SAYING WOW, HORRAY FOR US.

THAT'S ALL WE NEED.

WELL, I'M WONDERING IF THERE AREN'T PEOPLE LIVING WEST WHO MIGHT NEED TRANSPORTATION FOR BUSINESSES AND FARMS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TOURISM, SITES THERE, LOCAL MUSEUMS.

WE HAVE THE LITTLE HOUSE, AND I THINK THIS IS A PLACE WHERE IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME.

PEOPLE WILL COME FROM THE EAST AND THE WEST IF WE HAVE GOOD TRANSPORTATION, HIGHWAY 14, FOUR-LANE, TO THE BORDER, SERVING OUR AREA.

EXERCISE VISION, IMAGINE WHAT HIGHWAY 14 TO THE BORDER CAN DO FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, FOR OUR FARMS AND FOR OUR AGRITOURISM.

>> NOW, A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> MY FRIEND, I THINK YOU DESERVE A BETTER REPRESENTATIVE THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE NOW.

LOOK AT THE VOTES AND SEE IF THEY REALLY REPRESENT YOU.

BACK AT THE HEIGHT OF COVID, HE VOTED AGAINST THE COVID RECOVERY BILL THAT PROVIDED SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY LOANS, BROADBAND TO SUPPORT DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE AND PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HE VOTED NO.

THE SAME SESSION HE VOTED AGAINST PAID LEAVE FOR FAMILY EMERGENCIES FOR PREGNANCY AND SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

HE VOTED AGAINST LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SAVE LIVES FROM GUN DEATHS.

HE VOTED AGAINST A BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, ELDER CARE AND CHILD PROTECTION.

HE VOTED NO ON THE AG BILL THAT PROVIDED DROUGHT RELIEF, GRANTS FOR FARMERS, GRANTS TO NEW FARMERS, SOIL HEALTH, BROADBAND AND MUCH MORE.

HE VOTED AGAINST AN ENERGY CONSERVATION BILL THAT WOULD ESPECIALLY HAVE HELPED LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS.

EVERY YEAR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILL COMES UP THAT PROVIDES FOR CHILD PROTECTION, FOSTER CARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, DISABILITY SERVICES, ELDER CARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND EVERY YEAR YOUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE VOTES AGAINST ALL THOSE THINGS.

DO THOSE VOTES REPRESENT YOU?

IT'S TIME BROWN AND REDWOOD COUNTIES HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT REALLY REPRESENTS YOU, NOT ONE THAT JUST VOTES NO AND WAITS AND LETS THINGS HAPPEN BUT ONE THAT ACTS AND MAKES THINGS HAPPEN TO HELP OUR FARMS AND COMMUNITIES PROSPER AND MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER.

I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR YOU, SOMEONE WHO GETS TOGETHER WITH YOU AND GETS THINGS DONE.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT TOM KUSTER AT HIS WEBSITE TOM FOR REP.NET.

NEXT THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, PAUL TORKELSON.

>> GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS PAUL TORKELSON RUNNING FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN DISTRICT 15B.

I AM RUNNING FOR MY EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE TERM IN THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.

I'M THE ENDORSED REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, BEEN ELECTED 7 TIMES BEFORE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER ELECTION COME NOVEMBER 8th.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE LISTENING TO BE SURE THEY VOTE BY NOVEMBER 8th.

MANY OF THE CONSTITUENTS IN MY DISTRICT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE BY MAIL.

YOU WILL START RECEIVING MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND MAILBOXES SEPTEMBER 23rd AND UP UNTIL ELECTION DAY TO GET THOSE FILLED OUT.

I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE WORKING CAREER AS A FARMER.

I STILL FARM ACTIVELY.

I FARM IN A COUNTY WHERE I'M A FOURTH GENERATION FARMER.

AGRICULTURE IS CERTAINLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY LIVELIHOOD.

I SUPPORT A NUMBER OF ISSUES IN MY WORK, FIRST SAFETY AND SECURITY, SECOND AGRICULTURE AND RURAL WAY OF LIFE.

I'M A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

I BELIEVE IN FAIR FUNDING FOR RURAL SCHOOLS.

MINNESOTA BUSINESSES ARE OF COURSE A PRIORITY.

I HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE NFIB AND A PRO LIFE LEGISLATOR.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE QUESTIONS AS THEY COME OUT THIS EVENING.

>> WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR DISTRICT?

>> WELL, I'M A STRONG BELIEVER IN OUR AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, THE SYSTEM THAT HAS WORKED SO WELL FOR US OVER THE CENTURIES AND DONE SO WELL AS WE ARE THE WORLD LEADERS IN MANY RESPECTS.

BRING THAT BACK DOWN TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, OF COURSE MINNESOTA HAS HAD A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION FOR THE SUCCESSFUL AMERICA.

WE HAVE A STRONG STATE GOVERNMENT THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE A PART IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

IT ACTUALLY HAS WORKED PRETTY WELL.

WE HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES, OF COURSE, BUT WE DO HAVE WAYS OF WORKING THOSE OUT, PASSING LAWS THAT TAKE CARE OF OUR CITIZENS AND THEIR NEEDS AND MOVE OUR ECONOMY FORWARD.

MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE BEEN HELPFUL IN THAT WORK.

I GET A LOT OF COMMUNICATIONS FROM CONSTITUENTS IN THE FORM OF E-MAILS AND PHONE CALLS, AND MY WORK IS ENHANCED BY THAT INFORMATION.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR DISTRICT AS A LEGISLATOR.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO CITIZENS OF THE DISTRICT STEP FORWARD WITH THEIR CONCERNS SO WE CAN ADDRESS THEM IN A WAY THAT ACTUALLY BENEFITS OUR DISTRICTS.

WE ARE STATE REPRESENTATIVES, OF COURSE, AND WE DO REPRESENT THE WHOLE STATE BUT WE HAVE A SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE AREA THAT WE ARE ELECTED FROM.

I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE A GOOD FIT WITH MY DISTRICT AND MY CONSTITUENTS AND I HAVE ENJOYED REPRESENTING THEM OVER THE MANY YEARS.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WELL IN A WORD I THINK PRIORITY OF THE SESSION IS GOING TO BE SAFETY.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF CRIME.

IT'S BEEN BUILDING, AND THIS IS A REAL CONCERN.

IT'S NOT AS BAD, OF COURSE, IN OUR PART OF THE STATE AS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

BUT IT HAS A WAY OF FILTERING OUT, AND WE HAVE SEEN EXAMPLES OF THAT.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE A PRIORITY.

I'M ENDORSED BY THE MINNESOTA POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND ENJOY THAT SUPPORT.

SECONDLY, INFLATION HAS REARED ITS UGLY HEAD AGAIN.

I HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS, FARMED FOR MANY DECADES.

I REMEMBER WHEN INFLATION WAS A REAL PROBLEM.

IT'S BECOMING A PROBLEM AGAIN.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE ABLE TO BE TAMPED DOWN, SO THAT IT'S NOT SO MUCH OF A PROBLEM, BUT RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE PAYING A LOT MORE FOR GASOLINE AND GROCERIES AND ESPECIALLY IS HARD ON THOSE THAT ARE ON A FIXED INCOME.

NEXT, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE INVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, BOTH ROADS, BRIDGES, WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS, DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS.

MUCH OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY THE INFRASTRUCTURE UNDERGROUND IS AGING OUT, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE WORK.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZE THAT AND HELP OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH THE FUNDS THEY NEED TO GET THAT WORK DONE, AND I WOULD SUPPORT GETTING A BONDING BILL DONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO HELP WITH THAT WORK.

IN ADDITION TO THAT BROADBAND IS A HIGH PRIORITY.

WE NEED BROADBAND ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

CHILD CARE HAS BEEN A REAL PROBLEM.

HELPING MAKING SURE WE HAVE CHILD CARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

IT'S IMPORTANT, WORKFORCE HOUSING AND FINALLY TECHNICAL EDUCATION TO FILL SOME OF THE WORK VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE, MAKING SURE OUR TECHNICAL EDUCATION SYSTEM GETS PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IS ALSO A CRITICAL INVESTMENT.

>> WHAT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE DO YOU BRING TO THE MINNESOTA HOUSE?

>> WELL, I MENTIONED THE FACT THAT I'M A FARMER.

THERE ARE VERY FEW FARMERS IN THE LEGISLATURE THESE DAYS.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER HISTORY THERE WERE LOTS OF FARMERS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I'M A HANDFUL OF ACTIVE FARMERS.

I THINK IT REALLY DOES BRING AN IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR MY DISTRICT, WHICH IS HEAVY IN AGRICULTURE AND THE BUSINESSES THAT SERVE AGRICULTURE.

SECOND, I DO A LOT OF WORK WITH WATER.

I SERVE ON A NUMBER OF COMMITTEES THAT DEAL WITH WATER, INCLUDING THE LEGISLATURE BIPARTISAN GROUP THAT WORKS WITH WATER ISSUES AND SERVE ON THE GREAT LAKES COMMISSION DEALING WITH ALL THE STATES THAT TOUCH ON THE GREAT LAKES, ALONG WITH CANADIAN PROVINCES.

WATER AND WATER QUALITY IS A CONCERN FOR ALL OF US, DOING THE PRACTICAL WORK TO MAKE IMPROVEMENT ALONG THOSE LINES IS SOMETHING I HAVE EXPERTISE IN.

INFRASTRUCTURE, I MENTIONED EARLIER, INFRASTRUCTURE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I SERVED AS CHAIR OF THE BONDING COMMITTEE, SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET STATE INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE OUR ROADS, BRIDGES AND WATER SYSTEMS.

TRANSPORTATION IS A VERY BIG ISSUE.

ROADS, BRIDGES AND MASS TRANSIT ARE ALL IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR SERVING THE PUBLIC AND THE SORT OF WORK THAT ONLY GOVERNMENT CAN DO.

PRIVATE PARTIES AREN'T GOING TO BUILD THEIR OWN ROADS AND FREEWAYS OR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, AND SO GETTING INVESTMENTS MADE IN TRANSPORTATION IS IMPORTANT.

HEALTHCARE, I HAVE GOT SOME EXPERIENCE.

I WAS ON THE LOCAL HOSPITAL BOARD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP RURAL HEALTHCARE FUNCTIONS.

FINALLY FINANCIAL ISSUES.

THIS WILL BE A BUDGET ABOUT THE YEAR.

I DID SERVE ON A BANK BOARD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

DOING THE WORK THAT MAKES THE NUMBERS COME OUT IN THE END IS CRITICAL.

FINANCE AND FINANCING STATE GOVERNMENT IS SOMETHING I'M VERY INTERESTED IN AND FEEL LIKE I HAVE IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE IN WORKING ON.

>> WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF MINNESOTA?

>> THANK YOU.

SECURITY, I THINK, IS SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE NEED TO FEEL SAFE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.

THEY NEED TO FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY ARE RIDING OUR TRANSIT SYSTEMS.

THAT SECURITY OF KNOWING THAT YOU AND YOUR PROPERTY ARE SAFE WHEREVER YOU GO IS IMPORTANT AND ONE OF THE CRITICAL ISSUES.

IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THAT, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE CRIMINALS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY COMMIT CRIMES, AND THERE HAVE TO BE CONSEQUENCES.

ONE OF THOSE ISSUES IS DRUG ABUSE.

WE NEED TO RECLASSIFY FENTANYL SO IT'S PROPERLY CLASSIFIED SO WHEN SOMEBODY IS CAUGHT DISTRIBUTING AND SELLING FENTANYL THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY PROSECUTED AND THE ISSUE OF THC CAME UP THIS LAST SESSION.

THOSE PRODUCTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE BUT THEY ARE NOT REGULATED PROPERLY, AND THEY ARE NOT TAXED.

WE SHOULD DO BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

BUT WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO REIGN IN INFLATION AND AT THE SAME TIME REFORM OUR TAXES.

A SMALL EFFORT TO ELIMINATE TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

I BELIEVE THAT'S SOMETHING WE MUST TRY TO DO.

IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION, THERE'S BEEN CONTROVERSY LATELY.

I'M A STRONG BELIEVER THAT LOCAL ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS SHOULD HAVE STRONGER VOICE IN HOW OUR SCHOOLS ARE OPERATED.

THEY COME FROM THE COMMUNITY, ELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO THEIR JOB.

FINALLY ELECTION SECURITY IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

I'M A STRONG PROPONENT OF VOTER I.D.

KNOWING THAT WHEN YOU GO VOTE THAT YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE AND LIVE WHERE YOU SAY YOU LIVE IS IMPORTANT AND ALONG WITH THAT I DO SUPPORT THE USE OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS IN OUR ELECTION SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE OUR ELECTION SYSTEM IS AS SECURE AS POSSIBLE.

>> NOW, A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK PIONEER PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR THE INVITATION TO SPEAK TO YOU TONIGHT.

ALSO FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

PI NEAR PUBLIC TV HAS DONE A GREAT JOB, I THINK, COMMUNICATING WITH THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA THROUGH THE SESSIONS AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS WHEN WE ARE IN SESSION AND FINALLY WITH THE PROGRAM YOUR LEGISLATORS, WHICH IS TAPED AND AIRED DURING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHERE LEGISLATORS FROM BOTH PARTIES HAVE A CHANCE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TUNE IN.

I WANT TO THANK THE VIEWERS FOR TAKING PART, AND I WANT TO THANK MY CONSTITUENTS FOR THE SUPPORTIVE HAD OVER THESE YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAD QUITE AN EXPERIENCE WITH COVID AT THE LEGISLATURE.

IT REALLY CHANGED THE WAY WE OPERATE.

I'M HOPING WE CAN GET BACK TO A NEW NORMAL WHERE WE USE TECHNOLOGY BUT WE DON'T OVERUSE TECHNOLOGY.

THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE A FACE-TO-FACE MEETING TO MAKE SURE WE COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY.

I HAVE SOME PRIORITIES, THEY ARE TO REIGN IN WASTEFUL SPENDING, REDUCE TAXATION AND PROTECT OUR LIBERTIES AND FINALLY TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE UNBORN AND THE ELDERLY.

I'M THE KIND OF PERSON WHO WORKS TO UNITE, NOT TO DIVIDE.

I WORK ACROSS THE AISLE WHEN I CAN AND FINALLY I WANT TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

THIS ELECTION CYCLE, THE CYCLE, OF COURSE ENDS ON ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 8th, AND MANY OF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE BY MAIL BEFORE THEN AND EITHER WAY, MAKE SURE YOU DO CAST YOUR BALLOT AND TAKE PART IN OUR GREAT DEMOCRACY.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

GOD BLESS YOU AND HAVE A GOOD SAFE FALL.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT PAUL TORKELSON AND HESS WEBSITE PTORKELSON.COM.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VOTING HOW TO REGISTER AND WHAT DISTRICT YOU LIVE IN BY VISITING THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE AT MN VOTES.ORG.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "MEET THE CANDIDATES" ON PIONEER PBS.