Tim Walz in 2018 MN Governor's race

On Abortion: Maintain funding for Planned Parenthood

Jeff Johnson (R): Ban. Believes in the sanctity of human life from conception. Wants a "heartbeat bill," banning abortions at about 6 weeks of pregnancy.

Tim Walz (D): Legal. Believes in a woman's right to choose, & will continue this support as Governor.

Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion health care?

Johnson: Unknown.

Walz: Yes. Voted against defunding Planned Parenthood.

On Drugs: Full legalization of medical and recreational marijuana

Jeff Johnson (R): Supports medical marijuana but opposed to legalizing recreational.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Supports full legalization of medical and recreational marijuana for adults.

On Education: 2 years tuition-free education at MN state institutions

Jeff Johnson (R): Unknown.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Wants to provide 2 years tuition-free education at MN state institutions for families making $125K/year or less.

On Education: Fully fund pre-K-to-12; make Minnesota the education state

Jeff Johnson (R): No. Says money won't solve problems.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Wants to fully fund pre-K & K-12 education, making Minnesota the "education state."

Q: Provide vouchers to parents to send their children to private schools with public money?

Johnson: Yes. Wants to allow parents vouchers to move their children out of failing schools.

Walz: No. Sees a need to keep funding public schools, "not diverting it into voucher programs."

On Energy & Oil: Climate change is real and urgent

Jeff Johnson (R): No. Says climate is changing naturally and human involvement is debatable.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Sees climate change as real and urgent.

Q: Should the government limit the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Johnson: No. Believes that a single country's efforts to mitigate climate change would have only a "small effect" & "we don't need to reorder our economy based on climate change."

Walz): Yes. Supported legislation to restrict carbon emissions. Opposed Trump's decision to withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement.

Q: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Johnson: Questions Minnesota's mandates on producing renewable fuels like ethanol & biodiesel, but promises not to end them if elected.

Walz: Yes. Wants to expand the Renewable Energy Standard, so Minnesota will get at least 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030, up from 21% now.

On Families & Children: Full marriage equality for same-sex couples

Jeff Johnson (R): No. But supports "contractual unions" for hospital visitation, inheritance or end-of-life decisions.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Has campaigned for "full marriage equality" since 2005.

On Free Trade: Rash tariffs on China against interests of America's farmers

Jeff Johnson (R): No. Concerned about how Chinese tariffs will affect Minnesota farmers.

Tim Walz (D): No. Calls the tariffs "rash" & not in "the interests of America's farmers."

On Government Reform: Limit corporate campaign donations, and disclose all

Jeff Johnson (R): Unknown.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Co-sponsored 2012 DISCLOSE Act, requiring full disclosure of independent campaign expenditures.

Q: Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?

Johnson: Unknown.

Walz: No. Disagrees with Supreme Court decision that lifts limits on corporations' & unions' spending in US elections.

On Government Reform: Remove barriers to voting

Jeff Johnson (R): Yes. Supports requiring voters to show photo ID, although Minnesotans rejected that idea in a 2012 vote.

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On Gun Control: Expand background checks; ban assault-style weapons

Jeff Johnson (R): No. Opposes expanded background checks. Wants to arm trained professionals in schools & strengthen existing laws, not restrict "rights of law-abiding gun owners" with new laws.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Supports expanded background checks & banning assault-style weapons--not arming teachers (he was a teacher for 20 years).

On Health Care: Single-payer system is on Minnesota's horizon

Jeff Johnson (R): Repeal; move toward "a more free-market system."

Tim Walz (D): Support. Opposes attempts to roll back ACA. Believes single payer type system "is on Minnesota's horizon," but need to control immediate costs, improve care, and support MinnesotaCare as best current option. Also supports allowing people to buy into programs like VA system, Medicaid & Medicare.

On Immigration: Give DREAMers a path to citizenship

Jeff Johnson (R): Unknown.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Sees a need to address DACA & protect Dreamers. Wants to provide them with a path t

On Jobs: Push back against right-to-work legislation

Jeff Johnson (R): Yes. Supports making Minnesota a right-to-work state.

Tim Walz (D): No. Opposes "assaults on our right to collective bargaining,

On Jobs: Supports $15 minimum wage for Minnesota

Jeff Johnson (R): No. Says it would lessen options for young & least experienced people.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Supports $15 minimum wage for Minnesota.

On Tax Reform: Trump tax cuts go mostly to top 1%

Jeff Johnson (R): Support Trump tax cuts, would lower Minnesota taxes.

Tim Walz (D): No. Opposed 2017 tax cuts. Says 86 million middle-class families will see taxes increase while top 1% get 83% of benefit. Cutting MN taxes means cutting programs.

On Technology: Supports Net Neutrality (equal access to Internet)

Jeff Johnson (R): Unknown.

Tim Walz (D): Yes.

On Immigration: Helped resettle countless immigrants into this community

Walz: Talking about his first campaign where Rep. Steve King from Iowa campaigned against him, Walz said, "Two days after I was elected, I was in the church with Fr. Brixius in Worthington in the basement after the ICE raid there. Over the years, my office has helped resettle countless people into this community."

On Education: Recognized as the 2003 Minnesota Teacher of Excellence

Harvard University offered Tim an opportunity to gain a new perspective on global education by teaching in the People's Republic of China in 1989-90, where he joined of one of the first government-approved groups of American teachers to work in Chinese high schools.

Following his return to Nebraska in 1990, Tim developed a program of cooperation between American and Chinese students. He created a small business-- Educational Travel Adventures, Inc.--through which he led annual educational trips to China for American high school students. Tim's inspiring approach to teaching gained him recognition as the 2003 Minnesota Teacher of Excellence.

On Homeland Security: Enlisted in Army National Guard at 17; served for 24 years

Tim's dedication to public service began soon after his graduation from Butte (Nebraska) High School with his 24 classmates. At the age of 17, Tim enlisted in the Army National Guard. Tim's leadership was recognized: in 1989, he was name Nebraska Citizen-Soldier of the Year.

"I loved growing up in a small town in rural Nebraska. Small-town life and working on family farms each summer taught me fundamental lessons about the importance of family and the value of hard work. I had wonderful public school teachers, great neighbors, and loving parents."

Upon his 1990 return from teaching in China, Tim served full time in the Army National Guard [for the next 24 years]. He joined his battalion overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

On Homeland Security: Suicide prevention programs & mental health for veterans

On Principles & Values: Got political when students were turned away from Bush event

On War & Peace: Served overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom

"When I enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 17, I never imagined that I would serve for 24 years. I knew that I was ready to accept the responsibility that comes with serving our country. Over the years, I discovered that I had the capacity to lead--a duty that I strive to fulfill each and every day. The honor of serving alongside my neighbors in southern Minnesota was a privilege."