Minnesota’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has become a contentious and partisan issue in the 2020 campaign for control of the state Legislature.
On Monday, Republicans hoping to hold their slim majority in the state Senate and pick up seats in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party led House promised in a “Contract to Open Minnesota” that they would essentially eliminate statewide mandates now in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“We trust Minnesota families, schools, churches, and businesses to be responsible and live safely. Instead of concentrating power in one person or at the state level, we will return it to Minnesotans, and the local leaders they elected,” the contract says.
DFL leaders called the contract dangerous and said it would further drive up the size of Minnesota’s outbreak, which already appears to be in a fall surge. The state has hit daily records for new cases and deaths in the past 10 days.
Gov. Tim Walz, who is not on the ballot this year but is often a focus of Republican ire, had a simple response to Republicans’ repeated calls to end restrictions he enacted through executive authority to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“You’re not helping,” the Democratic governor said this week after touring a new lab in Oakdale that can process 25,000 coronavirus tests a day. The lab was built with $14 million in federal coronavirus aid.
“The virus will do what it is going to do. It is relatively predictable. What’s not as predictable is our behavior as we act on this,” Walz said, reminding residents to follow rules about wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding crowds and staying home when ill. “When we do those things that stop the spread, they work.”
It’s clear that Minnesota Republican and Democratic candidates fall into two fairly distinct camps. The Pioneer Press surveyed more than 140 legislative candidates for an online voter guide; here’s a sample of how they differ.
OVERALL RESPONSE
Candidates for House District 43B are somewhat emblematic of the differences between the two parties. DFLers have backed restrictions put in place by the Walz administration while Republicans say locals should be able to decide how to respond.
“In short order the governor with the help of the Legislature created a thoughtful team. This team of world class experts responded in solid ways. Things have been adjusted/changed to respond to information and safety concerns. I’m proud that my neighbors seem to be taking this serious.” — Leon Lillie, DFL candidate, House 43B.
His Republican challenger for the seat representing North St. Paul and Oakdale says individuals should be trusted more to keep themselves safe:
“I think Minnesota residents have done their best to cope with the challenges of COVID-19. I would have directed resources to protect those that are most vulnerable to the severe symptoms until more effective treatments developed. However, I would trust citizens and businesses to assess their own risk and make their decisions accordingly.” — Jordan Herzog, GOP candidate, House 43B.
WALZ EMERGENCY POWERS
One of the largest sticking points is the ongoing peacetime state of emergency that Walz declared in March and has maintained over objections from Senate Republicans.
“Gov. Walz declared his emergency power when Minnesota deaths and hospitalizations were high under all models. The projections have not materialized, and six months later families, students, and businesses are struggling. Gov. Walz needs to relinquish his unilateral power and the Legislature needs to resume its role to legislate and represent its constituents.” — Pam Myhra, Republican candidate, candidate House 56A.
Myhra’s Democratic opponent for the Burnsville seat, Jessica Hanson, says she’s supportive of what Walz has done.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives, and it’s caused massive uncertainty for many Minnesotan families. We need to continue to elect people who take it seriously and who believe in science. I strongly support mask mandates and expanded contact tracing.” — Jess Hanson, DFL candidate, House 56A.
MICROMANAGING?
The current virus mitigation rules are uniform across the state, and that has been a point of contention for many who think smaller communities are at less risk. Health officials say the virus is now spreading rapidly in rural areas and they maintain the restrictions are needed everywhere.
“By any metric, the state response has been poor. We have more per capita deaths in Minnesota than our neighboring states. The micromanaging pushed by Governor Walz has resulted in unnecessary economic destruction with very little public health benefit. It makes no sense to have Rochester and Roseau under the same public health restrictions.” — Pat Garofalo, Republican candidate, House 58B.
Garofalo’s opponent for the seat representing Farmington and rural Dakota County, Sara Wolf, says the widespread limits have been helping to keep the state’s outbreak under control.
“Minnesota has worked with private sector partners to make decisions based on data and factual information to lower the health risks to citizens. It seems to be paying off given our rates are lower than surrounding states. I would have liked to see the legislature working together more effectively and not using the pandemic as a political pawn.” — Sara Wolf, Democratic candidate, House 58B.
POLITICAL PROCESS
Minnesota Republicans say they’ve mostly been left out of the decision making that’s been guiding the state response to the pandemic. They’ve voted several times to rescind Walz emergency powers to try to get more of a say.
The outcome of the election could certainly change the government response to COVID-19 here and nationwide.
“There is no doubt that Minnesota’s response to COVID was hindered by the failure of a national strategy. The Senate GOP failed to hold hearings on reopening schools, unemployment, food insecurity, housing issues, or health care preparedness. The GOP should have taken the virus and its consequences seriously and been a collaborative partner.” — Karla Bigham, DFL candidate, Senate 54.
Bigham’s Republican challenger for the Senate seat representing parts of Washington and Dakota counties, Leilani Holmstadt, says Walz should relinquish his emergency powers.
“The danger of COVID is not over, but it is no longer an emergency. We know better about the vulnerabilities and we can better manage those today. The Governor has made all the decisions unilaterally regarding the pandemic. We need to return to our constitutional form of government, to have a balance of power and a voice in our government.” — Leilani Holmstadt, GOP candidate, Senate 54.
LOOKING AHEAD
The campaign trail is always a good place to call for bipartisan cooperation. It will be interesting to see if any of that cooperation emerges, especially if Minnesota continues to have one of the nation’s only politically divided state governments.
“Hindsight is 20/20. We should be learning and looking to do things better as we move forward. It’s not too late to do a better job of bringing people together and bringing all voices to the table as we face medical, economic, mental health and educational challenges. Let’s not just talk about working together, let’s actually do it.” — Mary Giuliani Stephens, Republican candidate, Senate 53.
Susan Kent, currently the Senate DFL minority leader representing the Woodbury area, says Republicans should stop politicizing the pandemic.
“We’ve adapted well and been self-reliant, given the lack of a real federal plan. Initial bipartisan efforts were strong, but Republicans began using COVID as a political weapon. With a new virus, circumstances evolved and we had to adapt, but did so reasonably well.” — Susan Kent, Democratic candidate, Senate 53.
WHAT DID THE OTHERS SAY?
To read the comments from candidates in your district or for local races, go to twincities.com.