2014 MN Senate debate: on Civil Rights


Heather Johnson: LGBT persons are created with inalienable right to marry

Q: Why do you think that you have a better chance than past third party candidates?

A: We are at a point in history where a lot of different groups are seeing their personal rights violated. People from different sexual orientations, all different ethnicities, they're all fighting some aspect of the system. Everyone is feeling government infringement of their rights in some way. It's definitely a time to challenge that in politics.

Q: Same-sex marriage appears to be heading toward legalization in most states.

A: I believe that government has no place in marriage, period. It is a contract between two people. The government should only get involved when there is a dispute, fraud, or coercion.

Q: If elected, how will you ensure that the LGBTQ community will gain equal rights?

A: I would oppose legislation that infringes on rights and I would support legislation that recognizes those rights. I believe that those rights are already provided; we're all created with inalienable rights.

Source: News Examiner Q&A on 2014 Minnesota Senate race Aug 11, 2014

Jim Abeler: Government shouldn't redefine marriage

Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Abeler: Strongly Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Minnesota Senate race Jul 2, 2014

Mike McFadden: Gay marriage ok; but I'm personally for traditional marriage

McFadden wants to talk about fiscal issues much more than he wants to discuss social issues. He said, "I don't know why we're fixated on these issues when people want a job that's going to pay them more."

McFadden said while he personally believes that marriage is "a sacrament" between a man and a woman, he is "fine" with Minnesota's decision to legalize gay marriage. On abortion, McFadden said he is "pro-life, but my focus is on getting kids educated."

Source: Washington Post on 2014 Minnesota Senate race Feb 5, 2014

  • The above quotations are from 2014 Minnesota Senate debates.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Al Franken on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for more quotes by Jim Abeler on Civil Rights.
Candidates and political leaders on Civil Rights:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018