>> WELCOME TO "MEET THE CANDIDATES".

THE 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 WE WILL MEET CANDIDATES FROM DISTRICT SENATE 15.

IT'S MADE UP OF YELLOW MEDICINE, LYON, REDWOOD BROWN AND BLUE EARTH COUNTIES.

MAJOR CITIES INCLUDE NEW ULM AND GRANITE FALLS.

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

NOW, LET'S "MEET THE CANDIDATES".

WE WILL START WITH DFL CANDIDATE ANITA GAUL.

>> Zach: THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY.

MY NAME IS ANITA GAUL.

I AM RUNNING FOR THE MINNESOTA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 15.

I AM A TEACHER, AN AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN.

I GREW UP ON MY FAMILY'S FARM ON BUFFALO RIDGE IN MURRAY COUNTY NEAR THE TOWN OF CHANDLER THEN GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND LEFT THE AREA TO ATTEND COLLEGE.

I OBTAINED BY PH.D.

IN HISTORY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IN 2009 AND RETURNED TO THE AREA AND I'M NOW A HISTORY INSTRUCTOR AT MINNESOTA WEST COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

I LIVE IN MARSHALL WITH MY HUSBAND AND THREE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN.

WHY AM I RUNNING FOR THE MINNESOTA STATE SENATE?

LIKE YOU, I AM FRUSTRATED.

I AM FRUSTRATED BY ALL THE HATE AND DIVISION.

I'M FRUSTRATED BY THE INABILITY OF OUR LEGISLATORS TO GET THINGS DONE.

I AM FRUSTRATED BY THE PARTISAN POLITICS.

GROWING UP ON MY FAMILY FARM I WAS TAUGHT NOT TO JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT THINGS BUT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING.

I DO NOT SIT AROUND COMPLAINING.

I TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

I DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM THE TABLE WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT.

I STAY UNTIL THE JOB IS FINISHED.

I'M A PERSON WHO WORKS HARD AND GETS THINGS DONE.

AS MY FATHER AND GRANDFATHER WOULD FREQUENTLY REMIND ME, WORK AND WORK HARD.

I BELIEVE IT'S TIME WE HAD A NEW VOICE REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT.

A PERSON WHO CAN BRIDGE THE DIVIDE AND DOESN'T WALK AWAY WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, A PERSON WHO LICENSE TO THEY ARE CONSTITUENTS INSTEAD OF THE DECREASE TATES OF HER PARTY, A PERSON WHO BRINGS YOUTH, ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM TO THE JOB.

THAT PERSON IS ME.

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

>> AS I SAID IN MY OPENING STATEMENT, I AM FED UP WITH THE POLITICAL DIVIDE IN OUR SOCIETY.

I AM TIRED OF THE PARTISAN SHIP.

I AM TIRED OF THE HATE AND DIVISION.

I AM FRUSTRATED BY THE INABILITY OF OUR CURRENT POLITICAL LEADERS TO WORK TOGETHER, TO COMPROMISE AND TO PUT ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES IN ORDER TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDED WITH SENATE REPUBLICANS WALKING AWAY AND LEAVING MAJOR FUNDING BILLS ON THE TABLE.

THEY WALKED AWAY, REFUSING TO NEGOTIATE ANY FURTHER.

SO THESE BILLS NEVER MADE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW.

THESE BILLS COULD HAVE USED SOME OF THE $9 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS TO FUND OUR SCHOOLS, PROVIDE MONEY FOR NURSING HOMES AND CARE FACILITIES AND PROVIDE MORE FUNDING FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

BUT INSTEAD OF PUTTING ASIDE PARTY POLITICS, SENATE REPUBLICANS LOOKED TO THEIR OWN INTERESTS AND THE DICTATES OF THEIR PARTY AND REFUSED TO MOVE ON THESE BILLS.

INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE NEEDS OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AHEAD OF THEIR OWN SELFISH WANTS, THEY FAILED US BY WALKING AWAY AND REFUSING TO FUND VITAL NEEDS AND SERVICES THAT COULD HAVE HELPED OUR COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

IF OUR CURRENT LEADERS WON'T WORK TOGETHER, IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO LEAVE.

IT'S TIME TO WILL NEGOTIATE AND STAY EVEN AFTER THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT AND LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS INSTEAD OF PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES.

THAT'S WHY IT'S TIME TO VOTE OUT THE INCUMBENT AND SEND A NEW VOICE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 15 IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW, I SAY.

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

>> WELL, MY FIRST PRIORITY IS TO PASS A BUDGET BILL, ONE OF THE MOST BASIC THINGS A LEGISLATOR IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

THE INABILITY TO DO THIS LEFT ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITIES AND CITIES IN THIS DISTRICT, IT LEFT THEM IN A LURCH, SCRAMBLING TO FIND MONEY TO FIND BASIC OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES THAT WILL YOU OUR COMMUNITIES TO FUNCTION.

$9 BILLION WAS LEFT ON THE TABLE, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN WOOD USED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, SCHOOLS, NURSING HOMES, ALL OF WHICH PROVIDE VITAL SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

A SECOND PRIORITY IS PROTECTING WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND THE CHOICE WHEN AND IF TO START A FAMILY.

WE ALL KNOW THAT REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS ARE UNDER ATTACK ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY.

CURRENTLY IN MINNESOTA, WOMEN AND FAMILIES STILL HAVE THESE FREEDOMS BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO WANT TO CHANGE THE LAWS IN MINNESOTA TO RESTRICT WOMEN'S ACCESS TO BASIC REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE AND HER BODILY AUTONOMY.

I WILL BE A FIERCE ADVOCATE TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM THAT WOMEN AND FAMILIES CURRENTLY HAVE IN MINNESOTA.

A THIRD PRIORITY IS TO DEFEND VOTING RIGHTS FOR ALL AND TO BLOCK ANY ATTEMPTS TO MAKE IT HARDER TO VOTE.

THERE'S A MOVEMENT AFOOT IN THIS STATE TO PASS MORE VOTING RESTRICTIONS, TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

I AM PROUD THAT MINNESOTA HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT RATES OF ANY STATE IN THE ENTIRE NATION.

THIS IS BECAUSE WE HAVE EXEMPLARY SYSTEM ALREADY IN PLACE.

WE HAVE A SECURE VOTING SYSTEM AS AUDIT AFTER AUDIT AT BOTH THE LOCAL, COUNTY, PRECINCT AND EVEN AT THE STATE LEVEL HAVE REPEATEDLY SHOWN.

OUR VOTING SYSTEM IS SECURE, AND AS THEY SAY, IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT.

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

>> MY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE AND ONE THAT I EMPHASIZE OVER AND OVER IN MY CAMPAIGN IS I AM A CONNECTOR.

I CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, CONNECT THEM AND BRIDGE THIS DIVIDE.

I AM A FARM KID WHO LIVED IN THE BIG CITY AND RETURNED TO HER REAL ROOTS.

I CAN BRIDGE THE DIVIDE BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL.

FOR MUCH OF MY LIFE I VOTED REPUBLICAN, BUT NOW I'M A DEMOCRAT.

I UNDERSTAND THE WORLD VIEW OF EACH PARTY AND I CAN BRIDGE THE DIVIDE BETWEEN THEM.

I CAN BRING DIFFERENT GROUPS AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT US ALL.

FARMERS, BUSINESS PEOPLE, LIBERALS, CONSERVATIVES INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, NEW AMERICANS, YOUNG, OLD, STRAIGHT, LGBTQ, EVERYBODY COUNTS.

EVERYBODY MATTERS IN THIS DISTRICT.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE, BECAUSE I WILL LISTEN TO EVERYONE.

I WANT EVERYONE NOT JUST TO BE IN THE ROOM BUT TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WHEN IMPORTANT MATTERS ARE UNDER DISCUSSION OR IMPORTANT LEGOS IS UNDER CONSIDERATION.

A SECOND UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE I BRING TO THE MINNESOTA SENATE IS MY EXPERIENCE AS AN EDUCATOR.

I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR TEACHERS FACE EVERY DAY.

I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANT ROLE OUR SCHOOLS PLAY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I WILL BE A FIERCE ADVOCATE FOR FULLY FUNDED SCHOOLS.

EDUCATION HAS PROVIDED ME WITH MANY OPPORTUNITIES IN MY LIFE, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN IN THIS DISTRICT INDEED IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAVE THE SAME EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAD.

A THIRD UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE THAT I BRING IS THAT I AM A HISTORIAN.

I HAVE A THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF MINNESOTA'S PAST, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THE PAST IS HOW WE GOT HERE TODAY.

THE HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE WILL SERVE ME WELL AS A LEGISLATOR, FOR I WILL BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE TO THE DISCUSSION.

I THINK WE COULD ALL USE MORE HISTORIANS AT THE TABLE WHEN WE HAVE IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTRIBUTING MY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE.

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

>> MY VISION IS TO MAKE MINNESOTAN OPEN AND WELCOMING STATE FOR ALL.

AS A HISTORIAN I KNOW MINNESOTA HAS A TRADITION OF WELCOMING IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES AND NEW AMERICANS.

I WANT TO SEE THE TRADITION CONTINUE, TO WORK ON MAKING THINGS EASIER, NOT HARDER FOR THEM, TO MOVE HERE, BUY HOMES AND START BUSINESSES HERE, TO FIND EMPLOYMENT HERE, TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL HERE.

IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES AND NEW AMERICANS ARE NOT A DRAIN ON OUR SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, BUT THEY ENRICH IT IN EVERY WAY, SO LET'S CONTINUE TO MAKE MINNESOTA A WELCOMING STATE.

BUT AS A HISTORIAN, I ALSO KNOW THAT WE FALL SHORT TO BE A TRULY ACCEPTING STATE.

OUR NATIVE COMMUNITIES CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT MINNESOTA HISTORICALLY HAS NOT TREATED THEM KINDLY OR WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE AS ORIGINAL CARETAKERS OF THIS LAND.

WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND LISTEN TO THEM AND TO HONOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

WE ALSO NEED TO DO BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO OUR MINORITY POPULATIONS AND IN PARTICULAR STUDENTS OF COLOR IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE KNOW THAT IN MINNESOTA THERE IS A PERSISTENT ACHIEVEMENT GAP BETWEEN WHITE AND NONWHITE STUDENTS.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS THAT CLOSE THIS GAP ONCE AND FOR ALL.

ALL OF MINNESOTA STUDENTS NEED AND DESERVE THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE, AND I WILL WORK TO MAKE THAT A REALITY.

FINALLY, AN OPEN AND WELCOMING STATE MEANS THAT OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITY ALSO IS RECOGNIZED, ACKNOWLEDGED AND MADE TO FEEL WELCOME, WHETHER THAT BE IN OUR SCHOOLS, OUR COMMUNITIES, OR IN OUR WORKPLACES.

DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AND ATTITUDES NEED TO STOP AND A WEEING AND OPEN MINNESOTA MEANS THAT ALL PERSONS, NO MATTER HOW THEY IDENTIFY, FEEL SAFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> AND NOW A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

WE CAN KEEP ELECTING THE SAME PEOPLE INTO OFFICE, BUT THE INCUMBENT WHO CURRENTLY HOLDS THIS SEAT SEEMS INCAPABLE OF DOING HIS JOB OR FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT FACE.

HE AND HIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WALKED AWAY FROM THE TABLE AND REFUSED TO NEGOTIATE ANYMORE WHEN THE GOING GOT TOUGH DURING BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS DURING THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THERE'S A SAYING THAT THE DEFINITION OF IN SANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS.

ELECTING THE SAME LEGISLATORS OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS LIKE A FUNCTIONING LEGISLATURE SEEMS LIKE INSANITY.

AS I STATED BEFORE, IT'S TIME WE HAD A NEW VOICE REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE, A PERSON WHO CAN BRIDGE THE DIVIDE AND DOESN'T WALK AWAY WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, A PERSON WHO LICENSE TO HER CONSTITUENTS INSTEAD OF THE DICTATES OF HER PARTY, A PERSON WHO BRINGS YOUTH, ENTHUSIASM AND ENERGY TO THE JOB.

MY LIFE EXPERIENCES MAKE ME UNIQUELY TO DO THIS.

I HAVE BEEN ON BOTH SIDES.

I'M AN EDUCATOR THAT UNDERSTANDS THE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOLS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT CHALLENGES THAT FAMILIES FACE, THE RISING COST OF HEALTHCARE, THE DIFFICULTY OF FINDING GOOD CHILD CARE AND THE NEED TO DEFEND THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM THAT WOMEN NEED TO HAVE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICES FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

I THINK IT'S TIME THAT YOU VOTE FOR ANITA GAUL FOR THE MINNESOTA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 15.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT ANITA YOUR VOTE.COM.

REMEMBER, ANITA YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8th.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT ANITA GAUL AT HER WEBSITE ANITA YOUR VOTE.COM.

NEXT, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE GARY DAHMS.

>> I'M SENATOR GARY GAMES.

I'M IN MY FOURTH TERM IN THE SENATE, CURRENTLY SERVING SENATE DISTRICT 16, WHICH IS SOON BE SENATE DISTRICT 15.

I WAS RAISED IN RURAL REDWOOD FALLS, CLEMENTS, MINNESOTA, AND I GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE OF AG, BUSINESS IN ECONOMIC.

I MARRIED TO MY WIFE BARB AND WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN.

I OWNED AND OPERATED THE DAHMS INSURANCE AGENCY FOR 26 YEARS AND RETIRED IN 2012.

DURING THAT TIME I SERVED ON SEVERAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, 2008 ELECTED TO THE REDWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

2010 ELECTED TO THE MINNESOTA SENATE FOR MY FIRST TERM.

CURRENTLY IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE I SERVE ON THE AGRICULTURE POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE WHERE I AM THE VICE CHAIR.

I SERVE ON THE COMMERCE POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE WHERE I AM THE CHAIR.

I SERVE ON THE HOUSING POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE AND ALSO SERVE ON THE BONDING COMMITTEE OR CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

MY PRIORITIES IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE HAVE BEEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PASS GOOD LEGISLATION, HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT LEGISLATION IS GOOD FOR EVERYBODY AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, BUT ESPECIALLY RURAL MINNESOTA.

RURAL MINNESOTA IS -- WE ARE LOSING REPRESENTATION AT THE STATE CAPITOL ALL THE TIME, AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PEOPLE IN RURAL MINNESOTA ARE REPRESENTED AND WITH THAT SAID, MY PRIORITIES ARE BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE HEARING KNOCKING ON DOORS WITH CRIME.

I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8th.

>> WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE SENATOR FOR YOUR DISTRICT?

>> THE REASON I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE IN SENATE DISTRICT 15 AT THE MINNESOTA CAPITOL IS WHEN I LOOK BACK AT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THROUGHOUT MY LIFETIME, BE IT EDUCATION, BE IT BUSINESS, BE IT WHATEVER, I HAVE HAD REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITIES, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN, OUR GRANDCHILDREN, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE THOSE SAME OPPORTUNITIES.

THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IF YOU ARE IN THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE THAT YOU GO TO THE CAPITAL FOR 5 MONTHS A YEAR AND THAT'S THE END OF YOUR JOB.

IT'S REALLY SURPRISING BUT THE BIGGEST PART OF OUR JOB IS PROBABLY CONSTITUENT SERVICES.

I MAKE IT A HABIT TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE MYSELF ACCESSIBLE TO THE CONSTITUENTS.

WE DO A LOT OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS OUT IN THE DISTRICT.

I HOLD A LOT OF MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT WITH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN GROUPS.

ANOTHER PART OF THAT OUTREACH IS WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS I HAD, ISSUES AND TROUBLE WITH GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE WE CAN HELP THEM GET CONNECTED TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE, ELIMINATE RED TAPE, THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S BEEN VERY IMPORTANT.

I ALSO THINK MY VALUES AND POLICY POSITIONS BRING A LOT OF BENEFIT TO THE DISTRICT AND MY GOAL IS ALWAYS TO HAVE MINNESOTA BE THE BEST PLACE THAT PEOPLE CAN LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.

I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

MY BACKGROUND OF PROVEN LEADERSHIP, TRUSTED EXPERIENCE, STRONG VALUES AND COMMON SENSE AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY GIVE ME A LOT OF ADVANTAGE AND GIVE ME A LOT OF HELP WHEN I SERVE IN THE SENATE.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

THERE'S SEVERAL PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT SESSION.

IT SEEMS AS THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO GROW AND THINGS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN THERE GET TO BE MORE AND MORE ISSUES THAT BECOME HIGHER LEVEL ISSUES.

I THINK SOME OF THE TOP ONES RIGHT NOW ARE CERTAINLY INFLATION, AND PEOPLE ARE REALIZING THAT THEIR SALARIES AREN'T GOING UP AS FAST AS WHAT INFLATION IS.

SO BASICALLY WHAT IT AMOUNTS TO IS THE PAYCHECK THEY GOT 8 MONTHS AGO OR THE PAYCHECK THAT WILL BUY THEM 8 1/2 PERCENT OR PAY THAT MUCH LESS RENT.

THAT STUFF HAS TO BE PAID.

IT'S PUTTING A REAL BIND ON A LOT OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND FOLKS WORKING ARE HAVING REAL TROUBLE MAKING ENDS MEET.

THAT'S CERTAINLY AN ISSUE.

EDUCATION.

EDUCATION IS A GREAT EQUALIZER FOR OUR FOLKS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EQUITY IN EDUCATION FINANCE THROUGHOUT ALL THE STATE FOR ALL THE STUDENTS.

TAXES, WE NEED TO HAVE TAX REFORM, INCLUDING TAX REFORM AND SOCIAL SECURITY, TAXING ON SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM ON THE TAXATION THAT THE LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE ARE PAYING AND INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX, THAT HAS TO BE LOOKED AT.

THERE ARE OTHER PROPERTY TAXES AND THINGS THAT WE WILL BE DEALING WITH THAT HAVE TO BE LOOKED AT.

NEXT YEAR IS A BUDGET YEAR.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET THAT IS MANDATED BY THE STATE STATUTES.

SO THAT HAS TO BE DID NOT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DO THIS IN A WAY THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT WHAT WE FUND IS FUNDED BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY ARE ACCOMPLISHING AND NOT FUNDED BY ADDING ANOTHER NUMBER OF DOLLARS TO THE BUDGET.

ANOTHER THING THAT HAS TO BE IN THE BUDGET IS HEALTHCARE.

WE HAVE REAL SERIOUS ISSUES WITH HEALTHCARE IN THE REAL NURSING HOMES, ASSISTED LIVING AND THE HOMES FOR THE DISABLED.

A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE MEDICAID PAYMENT THAT WE RECEIVE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE MORE EQUITY IN THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT MEDICAID IS BEING PAID IN MINNESOTA VERSUS THE TWIN CITIES.

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

>> WELL, I THINK THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT I BRING TO THE MINNESOTA SENATE THAT WOULD CERTAINLY HELP ME BE A BETTER SENATOR.

CERTAINLY MY BACKGROUND.

I CAME FROM AN AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUND, RURAL BACKGROUND AND LIVED IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES AND LIVED IN RURAL MINNESOTA THE MAJORITY OF MY LIFE.

THERE WAS A TIME PERIOD THAT I LIVED IN ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS AND LIVED IN DENVER COLORADO FOR A WHILE.

HAVING LIVED IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES, I THINK I HAVE A VERY GOOD UNDERSTANDING HOW RURAL MINNESOTA OPERATES.

I THINK MY EXPERIENCE AS A BUSINESS OWNER AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER HELPED ME WHEN WE WOULD GET INTO NEGOTIATIONS AND GET IN TO PUTTING BILLS AND ISSUES TOGETHER, I THINK THAT HELPS ME THERE.

I CERTAINLY THINK I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE IN THE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THROUGH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WHERE I HAVE BEEN ON THOSE AND BEEN A LEADER.

COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND DIFFERENT BOARDS, I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THOSE BOARDS AND LEARNED A LOT.

IN MANY CASES ON THE LEADERSHIP TEAM.

I ALSO THINK THAT IT GIVES ME THE ABILITY TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER.

THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

YOU HAVE GOT TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE.

THERE ARE SOMETIMES THAT YOU CAN'T MAKE THAT HAPPEN BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, PROBABLY 90% OF THE BILLS WE PASS ARE PASSED WITH THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK AT THAT.

THE OTHER THING I THINK THAT I REALLY BRING TO THE SENATE, ESPECIALLY FOR ME IN RURAL MINNESOTA IS MY ABILITY AND STRENGTH TO FIGHT FOR WHAT'S BEST FOR RURAL MINNESOTA AND I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

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

>> WELL, I FEEL WE NEED TO CREATE A STATE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO WORK, TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY IN A FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.

I THINK TO DO THIS, WE HAVE TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE TAX POLICY REWARDS PEOPLE FOR WORKING AND EDUCATION FUNDING THAT TREATS ALL STUDENTS EQUALLY.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR PEOPLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND BUILD A WORKFORCE THAT'S NECESSARY FOR OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES.

WE NEED THOSE EMPLOYEES.

WE MUST ALSO PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE UNABLE TO WORK, ARE HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY.

I THINK THAT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

WE NEED TO MAKE MINNESOTA A PLACE THAT PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF, THAT THEY WANT TO WORK, THEY WANT TO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES AND THEY CAN GET AN EDUCATION AND HAVE GOOD JOBS.

>> NOW, CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PIONEER TV FOR HOSTING THIS EVENT.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE RESIDENTS OF SENATE DISTRICT 16 FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS YOUR SENATE, SERVE AS YOUR SENATOR AT THE CAPITOL FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS.

MY RECORD IN THE SENATE SHOWS THAT I WORK HARD TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE TO ACCOMPLISH COOPERATION AND COMPROMISE.

I WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO REPRESENT SENATE DISTRICT 15 IN THE STATE SENATE, AND I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8th.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, AND GOD BLESS.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT GARY DAHMS AND HIS WEBSITE, DAHMS FOR SENATE.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.

REMEMBER.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8th.

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