Elections Are About Rights and Resources: Where the U.S. Senate Candidates Stand
In the second installment of a four-part series, guest columnist James Trice argues that voters should look past popularity and ask who is prepared to defend their rights and fight for their community’s resources. He says Democrats need a net gain of three House seats and four Senate seats to restore oversight, while stating he is not endorsing a party. Trice then compares the U.S. Senate candidates. Peggy Flanagan (DFL) focuses on protecting Medicaid and food assistance, reproductive rights, housing and child care, paid family and medical leave, and educational opportunity. Michele Tafoya (Republican) focuses on law enforcement funding, cooperation with federal immigration authorities, tougher mandatory minimums, banning abortion after 12 weeks, parental input in education, opposing middle-class tax increases and the SAVE Act.
Why the Nov. 3 midterms matter, and where Minnesota’s major-party candidates stand
Elections are not popularity contests, nor should they hinge on personal likes or dislikes. They are not about who has the most attractive website, speaks most eloquently, appears most charismatic or receives the most attention. Elections are not about Democrats or Republicans; they are about rights and resources.
When you vote, know whom you are supporting and why. Regardless of party, your chosen candidate should be prepared to defend your rights and fight for the resources your community needs.
The Nov. 3 midterm general election may be the most consequential election of our lifetime.
The president’s party controls the White House and both chambers of Congress, and a conservative majority holds the U.S. Supreme Court, leaving little effective oversight or restraint. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, you have felt the effects of the administration’s actions: higher food and gas prices, rising health care premiums and, for some people, the loss of health coverage.
We are also involved in an unprovoked war. We have witnessed extreme and deadly immigration enforcement, book bans, attacks on the Department of Education and civil rights, the erosion of voting rights, and threats to freedom of speech and the press, with no sign of these actions slowing. If the administration maintains its current course, the remaining foundations of our democracy could be dismantled.
People generally vote for one of two reasons: to change current conditions or to preserve them. Those dissatisfied with the present situation vote for a different direction, while those who approve of it vote to maintain the status quo.
If you want to change our current course, I urge you to vote on Nov. 3. Our hard-won rights and the resources our community needs are at stake.
To prevent further harm by the current administration, Democrats must win control of both the House and Senate on Nov. 3.
To accomplish this, Democrats need a net gain of three House seats and four Senate seats while retaining the seats they already hold. They must also hold key positions in local elections to help protect our communities.
To be clear, I am not endorsing the Democratic Party or pledging loyalty to any party. However, I believe that if Democrats gain control of Congress, they will impose needed guardrails, defend our rights and help ensure that our communities receive the resources they need.
Where Minnesota candidates stand on issues affecting Black, brown, Indigenous and immigrant residents
The Nov. 3 midterm elections are an opportunity for Black, brown, Indigenous and immigrant Minnesotans to evaluate not just what candidates promise, but what they are prepared to do to protect our rights, address racial disparities and ensure that our communities receive the resources they need.
Below is a comparison of the candidates in the US Senate race, their priorities and the issues shaping their appeals to voters.
U.S. Senate
Peggy Flanagan (DFL)
Flanagan’s campaign focuses on health care, family support and economic opportunity.
Health care and reproductive rights
- Protect Medicaid and food assistance
- Preserve reproductive rights
Family and economic support
- Expand housing and child care assistance
- Support paid family and medical leave
- Increase educational opportunities
Michele Tafoya (Republican)
Tafoya’s campaign focuses on public safety, social and education policy, and taxes.
Public safety and immigration
- Support law enforcement funding, cooperation with federal immigration authorities and tougher mandatory minimum sentences
Social and education policy
- Oppose transgender participation in women’s sports
- Ban abortion after 12 weeks
- Support education reform that restores parental input
Taxes and elections
- Oppose middle-class tax increases
- Support the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote
James Trice is the founder and CEO of The Public Policy Project. Email him at James_publicpolicyproject@msn.com.