Tuesday, October 22, 2024

November 2024 Rochester MN Voting Guide

 U.S. President & Vice President 


Donald J. Trump and JD Vance Republican 

I don’t agree with every crazy thing Trump says but he did enact good tax cuts that expire in 2025, and he won’t destroy the economy.

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz Democrat

She goes beyond Biden to tax the rich with unrealized gains which is a wealth tax and give away $25,000 to new home buyers, blames immigration on bill that Trump opposed but wasn’t president, high inflation under Biden


U.S. Senator


Amy Klobuchar incumbent Democrat Farm Labor

Will win overwhelmingly, a mainstream senator

Royce White Republican. I don’t like his association with infowars conspiracy site, he doesn’t support Israel or Ukraine, and he doesn’t like Jewish bankers.The National Republican Senatorial Committee doesn’t back him but endorsed by state party

Rebecca Whiting Libertarian wants to end involvement and support of foreign wars, dismantle central banks, anti-war combat veteran


U.S. Representative District 1


Rachel Bohman DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR

Endorsed by various liberal groups

Brad Finstad Republican incumbent has done a good job


State Representative District 24A


Heather Holmes DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR

Endorsed by various unions and stonewall lgbt organization

Duane Quam Republican incumbent has done good job


SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #535) Rochester Public Schools

increase the School District’s general education revenue by $1,133 per pupil or $20 million-a-year plus increases for inflation applicable for ten (10) years. Also includes funding for new initiatives such as creating a position “to seek and coordinate donations … to support athletics, arts and other activities.”  includes the planetarium at Mayo High School: $90,315

Sustain the driver’s education program for low-income students: $88,317 Implement mental health screening at all schools to identify students who need support: $27,000. If the measure passes, it would raise property taxes on a $350,000 home by $29 a month


CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1

Sends 40 percent of the net proceeds generated to the Minnesota Lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Also would reserve 1.5 percent of lottery funds for projects in underserved communities. Created in 1988, was extended by vote to 2025 back in 1998, otherwise money would go into the general fund. That’s nearly half of the lottery money, I don’t think a law should fix the amount of money that should go to a single purpose.


Council Member At Large (Rochester)

Randy Schubring Endorsed by Mayor Norton, LGBTQ victory fund, gun safety group. For affordable housing and attracting more business beyond Mayo 


Shaun C. Palmer Endorsed by two previous mayors, Fran Bradley republican, served Rochester Ward 5. Said Schubring supporters from Faith in Minnesota members refer to themselves as "democratic socialists”. Experienced in development.


School Board Member Position 1 (ISD #535)


Don Barlow incumbent. Endorsed by teacher union.  First elected to the Rochester School Board in 2016. Supports funding question.

Patrick Farmer - gives crazy response to newspaper questions “I'm a red cup cowboy for Gaza”


School Board Member Position 3 (ISD #535)

John F. Whelan against levy

Karen MacLaughlin incumbent endorsed by teachers union says everyone should take advanced placement and honors classes, supports levy


School Board Member Position 7 (ISD #535)

Christina Lucille Barton school counselor who lost job and kicked out of teachers union after she complained about transgender guidelines

Stephanie M. Whitehorn endorsed by teachers union, supports levy,. “create an inclusive and supportive educational environment where every student can thrive... empower those who feel overlooked and advocate for fair opportunities for all students, especially those from underserved communities.... early childhood support in building a strong foundation for lifelong learning, the critical need for hiring diverse staff to reflect our student body... addressing educational inequities and overcoming barriers like racial discrimination and socio-economic challenges that hinder marginalized groups.”


Chief Justice - Supreme Court


Natalie E. Hudson incumbent Appointed by walz. Hudson is the first woman of color and the first African-American to serve as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court


Stephen A Emery weak but had conservative views in 2018 supporting ICE and against global warming scare. He won a race for county attorney in western Minnesota in 2022, but resigned within days of the election.


Associate Justice - Supreme Court 6


Karl Procaccini incumbent. law degree from Harvard University. Issues are gun safety, women’s rights, climate, healthcare, voting rights, unions, endorsed by Nurses for America which also endorses Harris, Natalie Hudson


Matthew R. Hanson weak Prior Lake attorney is conservative pro-trump, defended ending Roe’s federal protections for abortion


Judge - Court of Appeals 12

Jonathan R. Woolsey weak. Did not respond to the Star Tribune newspaper, has 14 years of legal experience across various legal disciplines. “I bring both legal experience and a commitment to judicial independence, ensuring the law is applied fairly to everyone without favoritism or bias.”


Diane B. Bratvold incumbent. was appointed to this court by Gov. Mark Dayton. Served as a judge on the Court of Appeals since 2016 and was elected to a six-year term in 2018. 


None of the other judges positions are contested


No comments: