Tina Smith in 2017-18 Special Election for U.S. Senate in Minnesota

On Jobs: End federal contracts if employer mistreats employees

"It's pretty simple, taxpayer-funded government contracts should go to companies that follow the law and treat their workers fairly. Unfortunately, today, too many federal contracts are being awarded to companies with egregious and repeated violations of worker protection laws," said Sen. Smith. "While most contractors treat their workers fairly, we should be cracking down on the bad actors that put workers' lives and livelihoods at risk."

The Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Act would also ensure that taxpayer funds aren't used for union-busting activity.

On Environment: Open PolyMet copper-nickel mine in the Iron Range

The land exchange is a prerequisite for PolyMet to build a copper-nickel mine--the first mine of its kind in Minnesota--near Hoyt Lakes, on northeastern Minnesota's Iron Range. Smith and other supporters say the land swap has benefits to the region regardless of mining.

Environmental advocates and other critics, however, have argued the amendment would remove an obstacle to the operation of a mine they believe will have disastrous effects on the environment in the name of temporary and limited economic gain. Smith's would-be general election opponent, GOP state Sen. Karin Housley, says Smith is pandering, and doesn't truly have miners' interests at heart.

On War & Peace: Keep the Iran Nuclear Agreement in place

"Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. A withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Agreement, however, will do nothing to reduce that threat. The Iran deal was never perfect, but I am profoundly concerned that walking away from it with no legitimate basis for doing so is bad for our national security. It heightens the risk of Iran developing a nuclear weapon and heightens the ultimate risk of military conflict.

"This move also sends a message that the U.S. won't abide by our diplomatic agreements, and it risks serious backlash from the international community.

"President Trump says at the heart of the Iran deal was a fiction. That couldn't be further from the truth. There's always room to improve international relations and strengthen our current agreements--but not when we abandon the diplomatic structures we already have in place.

On Abortion: Served as a Planned Parenthood executive

On Technology: Helped rebuild collapsed Interstate-35 bridge in Minneapolis

Smith has worked with Dayton since 2010, first on his campaign and as his chief of staff and later as his running mate.

On Corporations: Eliminate corporate tax loopholes & tax relief for families

"Minnesota's farm communities are the backbone of Minnesota's economy. The last several years have been challenging for many Minnesota farmers, who are facing low commodity prices and rising property taxes," said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. "Our tax bill would provide significant relief to farmers by buying down the cost of local school district levies. I urge the Legislature to provide this needed tax relief for Minnesota farm families."

On Abortion: Vice president of Planned Parenthood of MN/SD/ND

In the early 1990s, she started volunteering in Minneapolis DFL politics, cutting her teeth on local campaigns. She eventually became vice president of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota before serving four years as Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's chief of staff, leaving that role to manage his 2010 gubernatorial campaign. After Rybak failed to win the DFL endorsement for governor that year, Smith took a brief sabbatical from politics.

On Health Care: Pushed state subsidy for the expansion of the Mayo Clinic

"Her roles have been behind the scenes, but she's always been a person who's been about connecting governments to its partners on the outside," Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said. "Tina is especially good at the people side of politics. She was able to really help build bridges."

On Tax Reform: We need to tax wealthier Minnesotans, to fix problems

She and Dayton met at a cafe in Minneapolis to talk about his strategy. The two hit it off, and he quickly made her an adviser to his campaign. Not long after he won the election, Dayton asked Smith to be his chief of staff in the governor's office. With her background in business, Smith became the administration's lead on government reform projects. The two went through a 21-day government shutdown together in 2011, and the following year, Smith was critical in working with sports officials, business leaders and legislators to pass a proposal to construct a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.