2014 Minnesota Senate debates


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OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Mike McFadden: Make contraceptives available without a prescription.     Jim Abeler: Human life begins at conception.     Mike McFadden: Anti-abortion and pro-guns.

Budget & Economy     Al Franken: Economy is "top down" and "rigged" in favor of the wealthy.     Jim Abeler: Borrowing places our sovereignity at risk.     Jim Abeler: Led $3.8B in human services cuts to close MN budget gap.     Mike McFadden: We've been spending like a drunken sailor.

Civil Rights     Heather Johnson: LGBT persons are created with inalienable right to marry.     Jim Abeler: Government shouldn't redefine marriage.     Mike McFadden: Gay marriage ok; but I'm personally for traditional marriage.

Corporations     Heather Johnson: Don't use eminent domain for private companies' benefit.     Al Franken: Block merger of biggest & 2nd biggest cable providers.     Al Franken: Oppo AdWatch: Franken limits free speech issue advocacy.

Crime     Heather Johnson: Don't punish victimless crimes like prostitution & gambling.     Jim Abeler: Major overhaul needed for sex offender laws.

Drugs     Heather Johnson: Release prisoners convicted of marijuana possession.

Education     Heather Johnson: Common Core is unconstitutional, and also underhanded.     Jim Abeler: Oppose nationwide Common Core standards.     Mike McFadden: Repeal federal Common Core education standards.     Jim Abeler: Oppose Common Core's centralized federal oversight.     Mike McFadden: Measure more; dictate reading lists less.

Energy & Oil     Al Franken: Delay Keystone pipeline; but if built, use American steel.     Heather Johnson: Federal legislation has limited alternative energy.     Jim Abeler: No subsidies for wind and solar.     Mike McFadden: Approve Keystone; faster permits for gas plants.

Environment     Al Franken: Ok the PolyMet copper mine only after 9-year review.     Al Franken: Prevent invasive species Asian carp in Great Lakes.     Mike McFadden: Develop our natural resources AND protect the environment.     Mike McFadden: Supports PolyMet mining project in Hoyt Lakes.

Families & Children     Heather Johnson: Politics is not my passion; it's my God, my kids & family.

Foreign Policy     Al Franken: OpEd: Campaign website devoid of views on foreign policy.     Mike McFadden: OpEd: Campaign website devoid of views on foreign policy.     Mike McFadden: Inaction abroad sends message that US will do nothing.     Mike McFadden: Crisis in Ukraine came about due to Obama's indecisiveness.

Free Trade     Mike McFadden: Use Chinese steel over U.S. steel if the import was cheaper.

Government Reform     Heather Johnson: Term limits for Congress, local officials, and judges.     Jim Abeler: Photo ID for voting.     Mike McFadden: Effective but limited government, stressing "limited".

Gun Control     Jim Abeler: Opposes more gun restrictions.     Mike McFadden: Expand background checks; close gun show loophole.     Mike McFadden: Open to looking at expanding background checks.

Health Care     Jim Abeler: ObamaCare risks access to care, ironically.     Jim Abeler: Big companies benefit from ObamaCare but not regular people.     Jim Abeler: Preventative care; coordinated treatment; low-income clinics.     Mike McFadden: We need an alternative to ObamaCare, not just repeal.

Homeland Security     Al Franken: Worked since 2009 on fighting ISIS recruitment in Minn.     Mike McFadden: Combat propaganda & recruiting by the Islamic State.     Mike McFadden: We need a national strategy against ISIS, and don't have one.     Jim Abeler: Our friends don't trust us; our enemies don't fear us.     Al Franken: Let companies reveal how much data NSA has gathered.

Immigration     Jim Abeler: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry.     Al Franken: Apologize for stripping citizenship for marrying foreigners.     Mike McFadden: Secure the borders, then conditional path to citizenship.     Mike McFadden: Secure the borders & then find way to grant citizenship.     Mike McFadden: Status quo is not acceptable; we need to find a solution.

Jobs     Heather Johnson: Oppose increase in the minimum wage.     Mike McFadden: Gender-based pay equality & minimum wage? "Wrong questions".

Principles & Values     Jim Abeler: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework.     Jim Abeler: Former investment banker; outsider with no voting record.

Social Security     Mike McFadden: Discuss raising the eligibility age for social security.

Tax Reform     Mike McFadden: Wouldn't vote for tax increases.

Technology     Al Franken: Apply oil subsidies to upgrade transportation infrastructure.

War & Peace     Al Franken: Supported airstrikes in Syria to fight ISIS.     Mike McFadden: Lack of anti-ISIS strategy makes world more dangerous.

Welfare & Poverty     Heather Johnson: Regulate but advocate for independent charity.     Al Franken: Pay in full for school lunches instead of partly subsidizing.     Mike McFadden: Let states decide school lunch payments, not feds.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Al Franken Democrat/DFL Jr Senator (resigned 2017) Minnesota Heather Johnson Libertarian Challenger Minnesota Jim Abeler Republican challenger Minnesota Mike McFadden Republican Challenger Minnesota