So, how are voters supposed to find out where a candidate stands on a particular issue. Many special interest and public interest groups have sent questionnaires to candidates during the past few months. Newspapers in District 25 have also surveyed us and will print our responses next week.

It’s easy to know my positions on issues because:

a. I have a voting record

b. I have more than 100 press releases still on my blog (website) going back at least 4 years.

I have always tried to be open and candid about my feelings on issues which might come before the Legislature.

This year, the Jordan Independent (Link here) . takes the prize for asking the most questions (19). If the paper actually prints all of our answers, voters will learn a lot about each candidate’s positions. I encourage readers to check this site next week.

There are two groups which have a reputation for being particularly fair and non-partisan.

One group is the Minnesota Prosperity Project (Link here) . where you can view my answers to their questions. The “Prosperity Project” is a coalition of business groups throughout Minnesota, including the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Another non-partisan group conducting issue surveys is Project Vote Smart (Link here) . This group surveyed candidates on a range of issues, and includes my voting record and endorsements from special interest groups. Jessica Peterson’s site is here , but she did not respond.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune voter survey is also posted on the Web (Link here). You can find my answers and Jessica Peterson’s, on this link.

The Star Tribune questionnaire is challenging to answer due to its vagueness. For example, it asks our position on whether legislators should “rule out tax increases next session”. Well, it depends on what tax you are talking about. I support a reasonable gas tax increase. But, I oppose other general tax increases. So, I have to respond by saying that I have “mixed feelings”. Voters don’t understand my true position on taxes from this type of question.

Other papers that have surveyed us include:

The New Prague Times: Link here

The Northfield News: Link here

Mankato Free Press: Link here

Le Sueur News Herald : Link here. I was happy to hear that the Le Center Leader and Le Sueur News-Herald have both endorsed my re-election this week.

You can check these papers next week and review how my opponent and I each answered the questions.