>> WELCOME TO "MEET THE CANDIDATES", LOCAL ELECTION FORUM FROM PIONEER PBS.

THIS SEASON WE ASK EVERY CANDIDATE THE SAME LIST OF QUESTIONS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF LEGISLATOR THEY WILL BE IF ELECTED.

IN THIS EPISODE WE WILL MEET CANDIDATES FROM MINNESOTA HOUSE DISTRICT 12B.

DISTRICT LINES HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE 2020 CENSUS.

DISTRICT 12B IS MADE UP OF DOUGLAS, POPE AND STEARNS COUNTY: TO FIND OUT WHICH DISTRICT YOU LIVE IN, VISIT MN VOTES.ORG.

NOW LET'S "MEET THE CANDIDATES".

WE WILL START WITH THE DFL CANDIDATE JEREMY VINAR.

>> WELL, I'M A 37-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF TWO, GREW UP IN THE TWIN CITIES BUT RELOCATED TO ALEXANDRIA LAKES AREA AND HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, WORKED IN SERVICE MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE.

FROM 2014 TO 2018 I HAD A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION WHERE WE DID WORK FOR DIFFERENT CHARITIES AROUND THE REGION, RELAY FOR LIFE, MS WALK, POLAR PLUNGE, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MY PRIDE AND JOY FOR MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE.

I WANTED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP, HAVING AN INTEREST IN POLITICS AS WELL TO PURSUE ANOTHER GOAL AND SEE IF I CAN SERVE MY CONSTITUENCY AND NEIGHBORS AND MY COMMUNITY BETTER BY REPRESENTING THEM IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR DISTRICT?

>> I WANT TO REPRESENT MY DISTRICT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN PEOPLE FIRST.

FOR A LONG TIME WE HAVE HAD POLARIZING REPRESENTATION THAT'S CONCERNING WITH MISINFORMATION AND PLACING BLAME ON THEIR OPPOSITION BUT NOT ACTUALLY OFFERING ANY SOLUTIONS TO THE REAL PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE FACE.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN WORKING WITH YOUR HANDS AND REPRESENTING ALL THE PEOPLE OF YOUR DISTRICT, NOT JUST THE ECHO CHAMBER.

I WANT TO BE A BETTER REPRESENTATIVE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN MY AREA.

I OFTEN SAID WE MIGHT NOT AGREE ON EVERY ISSUE BUT AT LEAST TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO YOU AND TAKE YOUR CONCERNS TO HEART.

THAT IS WHY I WANT TO REPRESENT MY AREA.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US PASS A BONDING BILL.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT DIDN'T GET DONE THE LAST SESSION WITH AN EMPHASIS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN MY DISTRICT.

BUT STATEWIDE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS AT A SHORTAGE WITH JOBS AND PAY NOT KEEPING UP ON THAT.

THE BONDING BILL IS PROBABLY FIRST AND FOREMOST BUT AFTER THAT INCREASING FUNDING FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE ARE A BIG CONCERN FOR ME.

I BELIEVE EDUCATION STARTS AT BIRTH AND RUNS THROUGH COLLEGE.

BOTH DAY CARE AND EDUCATION SHOULDN'T PUT ANYBODY INTO DEBT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, AND I ALSO BELIEVE WE NEED TO PAY OUR PROVIDERS AND OUR EDUCATORS PROPERLY.

THEN I THINK WE SHOULD PRESERVE ACCESS TO RURAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE, LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS COST.

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FILE BANKRUPTCY FOR MEDICAL CARE DESPITE THAT BEING THE NO.

1 REASON PEOPLE FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY AND OVER 50% OF PEOPLE CARRY MEDICAL DEBTS.

PRESERVING EASE OF VOTING IS A REALLY BIG DEAL.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF MISNOMERS, MISINFORMATION SURROUNDING VOTING AND VOTER FRAUD THESE LAST FEW YEARS, BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY EVIDENCE TO CHALK THAT UP SO MINNESOTA SHOULD CONTINUE TO LEAD THE NATION IN VOTER TURNOUT AND MAKE SURE VOTING ACCESS IS EASY AND LASTLY PROTECT OUR FAMILY FARMERS.

IT BECOMES HARDER AND HARDER EVERY YEAR FOR SMALLER FAMILY FARMS TO SURVIVE AN ENVIRONMENT WITH LARGER LAND ACQUISITIONS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE TRADITIONS THAT ARE CARRIED ON FOR GENERATIONS CAN CONTINUE TO.

>> WHAT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE DO YOU BRING TO THE MINNESOTA HOUSE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, HAVING GROWN UP IN THE METRO AND LIVING IN THE ALEXANDRIA AREA FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, I BELIEVE I HAVE SEEN THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, AND I CAN SAY THE WESTERN MINNESOTA AREA IS NOW WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE MY HOME AND I WANT TO STRENGTHEN RURAL COMMUNITIES FOR WORKING FOR MINNESOTANS FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

I SPENT MUCH OF MY ADULT LIFE IN SERVICE OF MY COMMUNITY, AND MY PRIORITY IS HELPING THOSE IN NEED AND I'M NOT AFRAID TO GET THE HANDS AND BOOTS DIRTY TO AFFECT REAL CHANGE.

MY PERSPECTIVE IS PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THAT HAS SINCE FALL THAN BY THE WAYSIDE.

>> WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF MINNESOTA?

>> I DON'T WANT MINNESOTA TO SIMPLY MAINTAIN.

I WANT US TO SET THE BAR.

MY VISION FOR THE STATE IS WHERE WHERE EDUCATORS, WORKERS, FARMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THRIVE.

I WANT PEOPLE TO GET A QUALITY OF AFFORDABLE EDUCATION.

I WANT YOUNG FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE AND GROW.

I WANT ALL FORMS OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CARE TO BE READILY AVAILABLE.

I WANT TO MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT IN THE NATION.

I WANT TO KEEP OUR LAKES AND RIVERS CLEAN AND MAKE SURE IT TAKES PRIORITY OVER CORPORATE INTEREST AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THE TAX BURDEN DOESN'T DISPROPORTIONATELY FALL TO THOSE FOR LOW AND FIXED INCOMES.

>> NOW, A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID PUBLIC SERVICE IS REALLY THE POINT OF PRIDE FOR ME.

I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN HAVE COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS, AND WE CAN COMPROMISE AS LONG AS WE ARE WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER.

A LOT OF THE LEGISLATION AND RHETORIC IN THE LEGISLATURE THESE LAST FEW SESSIONS HAS BEEN POLARIZING AND TOXIC, AND I INTEND TO BRING A DIFFERENT BRAND OF POLITICS WITH ME.

I SPENT A LOT OF MY TIME CAMPAIGNING, SO FAR TALKING TO PEOPLE ACROSS THE AISLE, MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO REACH OUT AND SAY HELLO AND FINDING THE "COMMON GROUND" WHERE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER INSTEAD OF PULL OUR PEOPLE AWARD.

I'M HOPING TO BE A NEW BRAND OF REPRESENTATION FOR THE AREA AND ALSO FOR THE STATE AND BRING ABOUT MUCH NEEDED COMPROMISE.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT ENGINEER ANY VINAR AT HIS WEBSITE JV412B.COM.

NEXT THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE MARY FRANSON.

>> HI.

I'M STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARY FRANSON RUNNING FOR REELECTION IN A NEWLY DRAWN LEGISLATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 12B.

IT IS MY JOY TO BE HERE TODAY.

I'M A MOTHER OF 3, 24-YEAR-OLD HELENA, COLLIN, AND I WORK PART TIME AT A COUPLE OF PLACES WAITING TABLES AND BARTENDING, ALSO DO A LITTLE CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE SIDE AS WELL.

I KNOW THE STRUGGLES THAT MINNESOTANS ARE FACING.

IN MY SPARE TIME I ENJOY GOLFING, ALTHOUGH MY HANDICAP IS NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT AND ENJOY RUNNING TO VARIOUS SPORTING EVENTS FOR MY CHILDREN.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NICE CONVERSATION WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS EVENING.

>> WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR DISTRICT?

>> CURRENTLY I SERVE AS THE REPUBLICAN LEAD ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

I ALSO SERVE ON PREVENTATIVE HEALTH, WHICH IS A SUBDIVISION OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE.

I ALSO SERVE ON THE ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE.

I HAVE ALWAYS STOOD UP FOR OUR WAY OF LIFE.

CURRENTLY OUR WAY OF LIFE IS UNDER ATTACK.

INFLATION IS OUT OF CONTROL.

FAMILIES NEED PERMANENT TAX RELIEF ENACTED.

THEY NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THEIR WALL LET SO THEY CAN PURCHASE THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM LIKE PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE.

ANOTHER THING GRASPING OUR STATE RIGHT NOW IS CRIME.

IF YOU HAVE OPENED UP THE PAPER OR TURNED ON THE NEWS, YOU CAN SEE THAT CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL.

ONE WOULD THINK IT WAS GOTHAM CITY HERE IN MINNESOTA.

ONE THING WE NEED TO DISCUSS THE ELECTION CYCLE IS ENERGY.

EUROPE AND GERMANY SHOULD SERVE AS A WARNING TO US HERE IN MINNESOTA AND IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT WHAT NET ZERO ACTUALLY MEANS.

ENERGY COSTS ARE GRIPPING THE EUROPE AS WELL AS GERMANY, AND BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING AND FAMILIES ARE WONDERING HOW THEY ARE GOING TO AFFORD THEIR ENERGY BILLS, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR FUTURE UNLESS WE PUT A STOP TO THE NET ZERO GOALS THAT GOVERNOR WALZ AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE IN STORE FOR US.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WE NEED TO CONTINUE ADDRESSING THE CRIME IN OUR STATE.

VIOLENT CRIME IS UP OVER 21% SINCE 2021.

THE MURDER RATE HAS INCREASED 8% SINCE 2021.

THIS IS NOT GOTHAM CITY.

THIS IS MINNESOTA, THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES, NOT 10,000 MURDERS.

ALSO INFLATION.

IT'S CAUSING MINNESOTANS TO PAY FOR MORE FOR EVERYTHING, AND WE ARE PAYING SOME OF THE HIGHEST TAXES IN THE NATION.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ENACT PERMANENT TAX RELIEF FOR THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA AND THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA HOUSE DISTRICT 12B.

WE ALSO NEED TO CONTINUE TO UNCOVER THE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE IN OUR PUBLIC PROGRAMS.

JUST RECENTLY THE NEWS OF $249 MILLION THAT WAS STOLEN BY FRAUDSTERS, AND THAT MONEY WAS MEANT TO FEED CHILDREN.

THIS IS EGREGIOUS, AND OUR GOVERNOR, HE WANTS TO BLAME EVERYONE BUT HIMSELF AND HIS ADMINISTRATION FOR THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT.

IT IS TIME TO PUT ACCOUNTABILITY BACK INTO OUR GOVERNMENT, AND WE CAN DO THIS NOVEMBER 8th.

>> WHAT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE DO YOU BRING TO THE MINNESOTA HOUSE?

I WEAR MANY HATS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS I PREVIOUSLY STATED IN MY OPENING STATEMENT.

I WAIT TABLES ON THE SIDE AS WELL AS DOING SOME CUSTOMER SERVICE.

WHILE WAITING TABLES AND WORKING IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY, I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE EFFECTS OF WHAT COVID SHUT DOWNS HAVE DONE TO THE SERVICE INDUSTRY.

THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE IS A HUGE CONCERN.

AS A MATTER OF FACT THAT'S WHY ONE LOCAL BUSINESS RECENTLY REACHED OUT TO ME AND CALLED ME UP AND THE OWNER ASKED ME IF I WOULD COME WORK FOR HER AND WAIT SOME TABLES BECAUSE SHE IS UNABLE TO FIND QUALITY WORKFORCE OR PEOPLE THAT DO WANT TO GO INTO WORK.

SO I KIND OF CHUCKLE AND I SAY TO PEOPLE HOW BAD DOES IT HAVE TO BE THAT YOUR CONSTITUENT AND A BUSINESS OWNER HAS TO CALL UP THE STATE LAWMAKER TO ASK THEM TO WAIT TABLES FOR THEM.

BUT I ACTUALLY LOVE THAT.

I LOVE THAT, IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHAT WITH MY CONSTITUENTS.

FIRSTHAND AS I'M SERVING THEM, THEIR CHEESEBURGER AND FRIES AND HEARING ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THEIR FAMILY.

ANOTHER THING IS I HAVE SEEN WITH MY SMALL EMPLOYER, MY OTHER SMALL EMPLOYER THAT I WORK WITH AS WELL AS AT THE RESTAURANTS THAT THE HIGH TAXATION RATE HAS DONE TO THEM AND JUST THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AS WELL, DEFINITE STRUGGLES THERE.

I TAKE THESE STORIES WITH ME TO ST. PAUL WHERE I CAN ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE CONSTITUENTS ON THE FIRSTHAND STORIES THAT I AM HEARING INSTEAD OF THESE FICTITIOUS STORIES WE SOMETIMES HEAR ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF MINNESOTA?

>> MY VISION IS A STATE WHERE FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES CAN THRIVE.

THEY LIVE WITHOUT FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD GAS, GROCERIES OR THEIR ENERGY BILLS.

STREETS ARE SAFE AND CRIMINALS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

PARENTS HAVE A SAY IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION AND STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT READING AND MATH, NOT POLITICAL INDOCTRINATION.

PERSONAL FREEDOMS CHERISHED AND RESPECTED.

GOD, FAMILY, COUNTRY.

THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

THIS IS A GREAT STATE.

UNFORTUNATELY UNDER DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY.

EVERY DAY I FIGHT FOR YOU TO MAKE MINNESOTA A BETTER PLACE, AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT AGAIN COME JANUARY.

>> AND NOW A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO THIS CONVERSATION.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR OUR WAY OF LIFE.

I AM ENDORSED BY THE NRA AND THE MINNESOTA GUN OWNERS CAUCUS.

WE KNOW THAT OUR SECOND AMENDMENT IS UNDER ATTACK.

THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED UNDER MY WATCH.

I AM ALSO ENDORSED BY MCCL WHICH IS OUR PRO LIFE GROUP HERE IN MINNESOTA.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AND HIS RADICAL LEFTISTS, PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT FRIENDS WANT TO TURN MINNESOTA INTO AN ABORTION SANCTUARY STATE.

I WANT MINNESOTA TO BE KNOWN FOR ITS 10,000 LAKES, NOT 10,000 ABORTIONS.

THERE'S A LOT ON THE LINE.

INFLATION IS OUT OF CONTROL.

IT IS OVER 8%.

CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL.

ACID STATED EARLIER, VIOLENT CRIME IS UP OVER 21%.

THAT IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

ENERGY PRICES ARE OUT OF CONTROL, AND PARENTS NEED TO HAVE THE FRONT SEAT AT THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

LIKE I SAID, THERE IS A LOT ON THE LINE THIS ELECTION, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO REPRESENTING YOU AGAIN WITH YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8th.

THANK YOU.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT MARY FRANSON AT HER WEBSITE TEAM FRANSON.COM.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VOTING, HOW TO REGISTER AND WHAT DISTRICT YOU LIVE IN BY VISITING THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE AT MN VOTES.ORG.

REMEMBER ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8th.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "MEET THE CANDIDATES" ON PIONEER PBS.