Republican Candidates Challenge Progressive Policies in Minnesota
With recent progressive policies enacted by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the Democratic-controlled legislature, Republican candidates are stepping up to counter these changes with their own conservative platforms.
This year’s election sees all 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives up for grabs. Democrats currently hold a majority with 70 seats.
Candidates and Their Platforms
Tom Dippel, a Republican vying for the seat in District 41B, which covers Hastings and parts of Cottage Grove, previously ran unsuccessfully for the state senate in 2022.
His initial campaign featured strong anti-abortion rhetoric, characterizing those in favor of reproductive rights as “opponents of life.” Dippel’s stance was clear: “I am 100% pro-life,” his campaign website stated. He emphasized the importance of protecting what he sees as the most vulnerable in society, adding, “I will fight tooth and nail for our most vulnerable.”
Dippel’s website also had a pro-gun ownership message, suggesting each Minnesotan should own a gun for protection against crimes like carjackings, despite a noted 6.9% decrease in violent crime from 2022 to 2023.
Having filled out a questionnaire from the conservative Minnesota Family Council, Dippel expressed support for school choice, previously describing public schools as “social, communist, marxist indoctrination camps.” His views on social issues were also pronounced, labeling homosexuality as an “abomination” and opposing transgender athletes competing in sports that do not correspond with their birth sex.
Dippel’s Democratic opponent is Jen Fox, a brewery owner.
Additional Republican Candidates
In District 14B, Republican Sue Ek shares a similar far-right outlook on abortion and broader women’s health issues. Ek, previously an executive director of the Billings Ovulation Method Association, promoted natural fertility solutions while opposing medical interventions like IUDs and in vitro fertilization.
Back in 2019, Ek alleged, according to Heartland Signal, that birth control pills were intended to terminate pregnancies and posed potential dangers to women. She did not disclose her stance on a potential contraception ban when queried by the Minnesota Star Tribune, stating her focus was elsewhere.
Ek is running against incumbent Democratic Rep. Dan Wolgamott.
Republican Incumbents’ Actions
Republican incumbents in the Minnesota House are also vocal in their opposition to recent legislative moves. Reps. Natalie Zeleznikar, Roger Skraba, and Bernie Perryman all voted against a 2023 bill enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. “Because of this bill, Minnesota’s abortion policy will be more closely aligned with countries like North Korea and China than France, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the western world,” stated Skraba.
These representatives also opposed a 2023 initiative providing free school lunches to all Minnesota public school students.
Zeleznikar has faced criticism for allegedly spreading anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. She introduced a bill aiming to allow child care providers discretion over vaccine exemptions, claiming vaccines were toxic and drawing comparisons to cannabis. “Last year we passed a cannabis bill,” she said. “There’s many people that want to do that because it grows from the ground. It’s natural. And yet now we’re saying to families, by the way, you don’t have a choice for a poison that could kill you.” Her proposal ultimately failed.
Zeleznikar’s opponent in the election is former judge Mark Munger.
