>>> WELCOME TO "MEET THE CANDIDATES".

THE 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 21A.

DISTRICT LINES HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE 2020 CENSUS.

DISTRICT 21A IS MADE UP OF LINCOLN, PIPE STONE, ROCK, MURRAY AND PORTIONS OF COTTONWOOD AND NOBLES COUNTY.

PIPE STONE, LUVERNE AND SLATE.

TO FIND OUT WHICH DISTRICT YOU LIVE IN, VISIT MN VOTES.ORG.

NOW LET'S "MEET THE CANDIDATES".

WE WILL START WITH THE DEMOCRATIC FARMER LABOR PARTY CANDIDATE PATRICK BAUSTIAN.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M PATRICK BAUSTIAN.

I'M RUNNING FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR DISTRICT 21A.

UNDERNEATH THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

I'M PAT BAUSTIAN, BORN AND RAISED IN LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.

BORN IN LUVERNE, RAISED ON A FARM ABOUT 9 MILES.

ALONG WITH 6 OTHER SIBLINGS.

MY PARENTS FARMED FOR ABOUT 50 YEARS, RAISING CATTLE, HOGS, CORN AND SOYBEANS.

I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL IN 1981, THE PEAK OF THE FARM CRISIS.

AT THAT TIME FARMING ECONOMY WAS PRETTY HARD ON EVERYBODY BACK THEN, ESPECIALLY WITH A FAMILY OF 7 KIDS ON THE FARM.

AT THAT TIME I TRIED COLLEGE BUT WITH NO MONEY TO ATTEND COLLEGE, I DECIDED TO JOIN THE MILITARY IN THE FALL OF 1981 AND ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.

I LEFT FOR THE ACTIVE DUTY FOR THE AIR FORCE IN FEBRUARY OF 1982 AND SERVED FOR FIVE AND A HALF YEARS WHERE I WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN MAY OF 1987.

WHEN I WAS DISCHARGED I CAME HOME, WORKED ON THE FAMILY FARM A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WHILE I DID THAT I JOINED THE AIR GUARD TO CONTINUE MY MILITARY SERVICE.

IN 1989 I WAS HIRED AS A FULL-TIME FEDERAL TECHNICIAN AT THE NATIONAL GUARD AND TIPPED MY SERVICE AT THE AIR GUARD AT AVIATION TECHNICIAN AND CHIEF OF COMMUNICATIONS WHERE I SERVED FOR OVER 38 YEARS TOTAL FOR FEDERAL MILITARY SERVICE.

I WAS GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO RETIRE IN MAY OF 2020.

I HAD 38 YEARS AND THREE YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE TO OUR NATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL GUARD.

I HAVE BEEN HAPPILY MARRIED TO MY WIFE KATIE OF 31 YEARS.

4 CHILDREN AGES 26 DOWN TO 19.

THEY ALL SERVE IN THE INTERNATIONAL GUARD AS WELL, THREE IN THE MINNESOTA INTERNATIONAL GUARD AND ONE IN THE INTERNATIONAL GUARD.

MAYOR OF LUVERNE FOR 12 YEARS, AND CITY COUNCILMEMBER 8 YEARS BEFORE THAT.

SERVED ON NUMEROUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND WITHIN THE CITY OF LUVERNE.

THE LAST YEAR MOST IMPORTANTLY I SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE COALITION OF GREATER MINNESOTA CITIES AND CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND WORK TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

FACE ALL THE CHALLENGES THAT ANY COMMUNITY MAYOR WILL HAVE TO TAKE ON SERVING IN THAT CAPACITY.

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

>> THIS PAST YEAR WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ACCOMPLISH A LOT OF THINGS FOR MINNESOTANS WHICH THEY FAILED WITH THE SENATE HOLDING IT HOSTAGE FOR NUMEROUS BILLS AND PARKING THE BONDING BILL.

OUR LEGISLATURE HAS GOTTEN WAY TO POLARIZED AND IT'S SHOWN OVER THE LAST 11 LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

THEY HAVE FAILED LAST 9 OUT OF 11 TERMS, WHETHER THERE WAS NO BONDING BILL OR BUDGET.

MINNESOTANS DESERVE BETTER.

IF YOU HAD AN EMPLOYEE THAT DIDN'T SHOW UP FOR WORK 9 OUT OF 11 DAYS, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I FEEL THAT BEING THE MAYOR FOR ALMOST 12 YEARS AND HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE COALITION OF GREATER MINNESOTA CITIES THAT I AM VERY DIALED IN FOR ISSUES AFFECTING US OUT HERE IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

I FEEL GROWING UP ON A FARM AND CURRENTLY HELPING MY BROTHER IN HIS OPERATION KEEPS ME VERY WELL INFORMED ON THE CURRENT ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING OUR AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES AND FARMERS.

I ALSO FEEL BEING A MAYOR IN THE PROGRESSIVE CITY LIKE LUVERNE AND BEING DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER ISSUES, LIKE THE CRITICAL DAY CARE SHORTAGE THAT IS AFFECTING EVERYBODY OUT HERE IN RURAL MINNESOTA THAT IT DEFINITELY GIVES ME AN ADVANTAGE.

ANOTHER HUGE ADVANTAGE SERVING OUR COUNTRY FOR OVER 38 YEARS IN THE MILITARY AND DEPLOYING FIVE TIMES IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF CONCONTINUING CITIES GIVES ME A MUCH WIDER VISION OF HOW I CAN BE SUCCESSFUL TO HELP OUR CONSTITUENTS IN DISTRICT 21A.

IF ELECTED I KNOW I WILL BE ABLE TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE WITH MY FELLOW LEGISLATORS TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE ITEMS WE AGREE ON, WHETHER IT'S THE TAX BILL, HOUSING, DAY CARE, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTHCARE, TAXES, AGRICULTURAL, BROADBAND ISSUES, VETERAN ISSUES OR EDUCATION CHALLENGES.

I KNOW THAT I CAN HAVE THAT ABILITY TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

I DEVELOP AND WORK ON ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS, AND THAT'S HOW YOU GET THINGS DONE.

IT'S COMING TO THE MIDDLE, AGREE TO DISAGREE.

PARK THOSE THINGS THAT YOU DISAGREE FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

ON THE ITEMS YOU AGREE ON, LET'S GET THEM DONE TO US IN GREATER MINNESOTA ACTUALLY CAN GET THINGS DONE FOR HELPING CONSTITUENTS AND ECONOMY OUT HERE.

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

>> MY FIRST PRIORITY WOULD BE TO TRY TO TAKE CARE OF THE CRITICAL DAY CARE SHORTAGE.

CITY OF LUVERNE HAS BEEN WORKING ON DAY CARE SHORTAGE FOR FIVE YEARS, AND THIS IS A REPEATED ISSUE FOR GREATER MINNESOTA, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT 21A.

WE HAVE TO LOOK OUT HOW THE STATE CAN INCREASE THE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUILDING DAY CARES AND ASSISTING DAY CARES THAT ARE IN OPERATION.

THE GRANTS THAT ARE OUT THERE DO NOT SUPPORT DAY CARES AT THE LEVEL NEEDED.

HEALTHCARE ISSUES, THE FUNDING FOR MINNESOTA AID BACK TO NURSING HOMES HAS NOT REALLY BEEN INCREASED FOR 10 YEARS.

THE AID REINFORCEMENT TO NURSING HOMES DOESN'T ALLOW THEM TO PAY EMPLOYEES A LIVING WAGE, AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH MAINTAINING EMPLOYEES.

THE WAGE IS DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THIS, AND WE NEED THAT STATE REIMBURSEMENT LEVEL TO INCREASE.

OUR EDUCATION ISSUES ARE PARALLELLED THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT.

THEY HAVE A SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS.

THEY HAVE A LACK OF APPLICANTS FOR JOBS.

THEY HAVE FEDERALLY MANDATED MANDATES THAT ARE NOT FUNDED.

THEY HAVE DECLINING ENROLLMENT WORRIES.

ALSO THE SCHOOL VOUCHER OPPORTUNITY THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, THAT DOESN'T WORK OUT HERE.

WE HAVE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SCHOOL VOUCHERS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION OUT HERE IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF TRADE SCHOOLS AND I WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK ON TRADE SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS THAT ARE GRADUATING.

SO MY LAST PROJECT AND PRIORITY WOULD BE TO GET A BONDING BILL DONE.

BONDING BILLS ARE CRUCIAL TO GREATER MINNESOTA FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROJECTS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE BONDING BILLS EVERY TWO YEARS.

LAST YEAR WAS DISASTER, AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP ON THAT ROUTE.

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

>> AS A MAYOR OF LUVERNE FOR THE LAST 11 1/2 YEARS AND A CITY COUNCILMEMBER BEFORE THAT, I'M WELL GROUNDED IN THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT OUR MAIN STREETS OF OUR RURAL MINNESOTA TOWN AND THE DISTRICT I LIVE IN.

I UNDERSTAND THE HOUSING ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING EVERY COMMUNITY.

I UNDERSTAND DAY CARE ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING EVERY COMMUNITY, ALONG WITH EDUCATION ISSUES.

BEING A LOCAL LEADER, YOU HAVE TO WORK ACROSS ALL DIFFERENT VARIANCES OF PEOPLE AND OPINIONS AND BACKGROUNDS, AND AS A MAYOR, I HAVE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE AND I CAN TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE FROM THE CAPITAL.

WORKING WITH LABOR, I UNDERSTAND LABOR ISSUES, AND I WAS A UNION MEMBER MYSELF IN MY CAREER IN THE MILITARY UNDERNEATH FEDERAL SERVICE.

I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE AFFECTING OUR LABOR INDUSTRY TODAY.

AS A VETERAN OF ALMOST 38 1/2 YEARS IN THE MILITARY, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR VETERANS NO.

1.

HEALTHCARE ISSUES, CHALLENGES OF PTSD, WHETHER IT'S SMOKE PIT, ISSUES THAT AFFECT OUR VETERANS IN MINNESOTA, ARE A HUGE IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR ME.

EDUCATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THE EDUCATION LEVELS.

WE ARE CHALLENGED WITH THE WORKFORCE IN OUR EDUCATION CAREER RIGHT NOW.

THE LACK OF TEACHERS APPLYING FOR OPEN VACANCIES.

FEDERAL MANDATES THAT ARE BEING CAST UPON OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THOSE AND DISLIEN IN ENROLLMENT.

THOSE LOCAL CHALLENGES THAT EVERY SCHOOL IS BEING AFFECTED BY.

ENVIRONMENT, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND I BELIEVE IN THE SCIENCE THAT WOULD WORK TO ENSURE OUR STATE DOESN'T SHARE TO PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES WE HAVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO COME.

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

>> AS A LOCAL LEADER FOR 20 YEARS, I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK WITH PEOPLE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A STATE GOVERNMENT AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE MORE RESPECTFUL TO EACH OTHER.

TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS ISSUES THAT AFFECT ALL OF US IN OPEN COMMITTEE HEARINGS, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF ALL THE LEGISLATORS COULD ATTEND THE BLIND AND COMMUNITY LEAD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM WHERE THEY ACTUALLY LEARN THE 9 POINTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THAT TRAINING 25 YEARS AGO, AND IT GAVE ME A VAST KNOWLEDGE HOW TO IMPROVE ISSUES IN GREATER MINNESOTA IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THAT TRAINING IS A GRASSROOTS UNDERSTANDING OF THE AREAS THAT ALL LEGISLATORS NEED TO BE WORKING ON EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHETHER IT'S TRANSPORTATION, WHETHER IT'S HEALTHCARE, WHETHER IT'S EDUCATION, HOUSING, SAFETY AND SECURITY, LIFELONG LEARNING.

WE ALL HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT THAT.

IF A LEGISLATOR IS NOT WORKING ON THAT, WE ARE FAILING OUR CONSTITUENTS.

SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS A GOVERNMENT UP IN THE STATEHOUSE, WHETHER IT'S A SPLIT HOUSE AND SENATE OR WHETHER IT'S A MAJORITY, WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

WE HAVE TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE.

WE CANNOT CONTINUE ON THE PARTISAN POLITIC LEVEL THAT IS HAPPENING UP THERE TODAY, WHETHER IT'S EXTREME LEFT OR EXTREME RIGHT.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AND GET THINGS DONE UP THERE.

WE OWE IT TO OUR CONSTITUENTS TO BE ABLE TO SERVE US ALL, AND WE NEED TO DO A JOB, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE PAID TO DO.

I WOULD DO THAT AS ELECTED IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE DISTRICT 21A.

>> NOW, A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> AS A LOCAL ELECTED LEADER FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND THE EXPERIENCES THAT I HAVE IN SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF BEING A LEADER, I FEEL THAT I COULD GREATLY IMPROVE HOW OUR CONSTITUENTS WOULD BE REPRESENTED IN DISTRICT 21A, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRESIDENT OR ALMOST 12 YEARS AS THE MAYOR OF A GROWING COMMUNITY, I KNOW I HAVE THE TOOLS, EXPERIENCE AND RELATIONSHIPS OF OTHER COMMUNITY AND COUNTY ELECTED AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO BE ABLE TO RELATE TO A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES AFFECTING US ALL IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA.

I FEEL THAT IT TAKES STRONG COMMUNICATION FROM AND TO THE ELECTED PERSON TO UNDERSTAND ISSUES.

IN THE END, IT'S THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH CONSTITUENTS AND LEGISLATURE THAT LISTENS TO BE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS REPRESENTING US ALL OUT HERE IN DISTRICT 21A.

I WILL NOT BE A PART OF THE DO NOTHING LEGISLATURE AS THE STAR TRIBUNE HAS STATED DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8th.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON PATRICK BAUSTIAN BY CONTACTING YOUR LOCAL DFL OFFICE.

NEXT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATE JOE SCHOMACKER.

>> I'M JOE SCHOMACKER.

I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN LUVERNE MINNESOTA.

MY PARENTS, BROTHER AND I RUN A SLEW OF RETAIL STORES DOWN MAIN STREET OFFERING ANYTHING FROM CLEANING SERVICES TO APPLIANCES TO MATTRESSES AND EVEN FABRIC STORE IN THERE.

WE HAVE TRIED TO DEDICATE OUR TIME AND OUR WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE AN OPTION IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA TO GO SHOPPING INSTEAD OF SIOUX FALLS U.D AND WE INVESTED HEAVILY TO IMPROVE THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT WORK TO ST. PAUL WITH ME AS WELL.

I BRING A MAIN STREET BUSINESS OWNER APPROACH.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SERVING THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA FOR 12 YEARS NOW.

THAT MAIN STREET APPROACH OF BEING ABLE TO BALANCE A BUDGET TO KNOW HOW IMPORTANT EVERY DOLLAR IS AND HOW THAT GETS STRETCHED IS INCREDIBLY VALUABLE TO ME, VALUABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA AND VALUABLE TO THE STATE OVER ALL.

I AM ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS NOVEMBER TO CONTINUE BRINGING THAT MAIN STREET SMALL BUSINESS APPROACH TO OUR GOVERNMENT SYSTEM AND LOOK FORWARD TO INTRODUCING MYSELF MORE TO YOU TODAY.

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

>> I HAVE ENJOYED AND HAD THE PLEASURE OF SERVING SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA AS THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.

I FIRST GOT INTO THE LEGISLATURE WHEN THERE WAS A $6 BILLION BUDGET DEFICIT AND I FOCUSED ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE AREA BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THE DEFICIT WAS GOING TO BE BALANCED ON THE BACKS OF PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES AND HOSPITALS AND THOSE ARE SO CRITICAL FOR US IN THIS AREA.

THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA ARE DIFFERENT THAN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

THEY ARE SO HARD WORKING AND ERNEST IN WHAT THEY DO, AND THEY SENT ME TO ST. PAUL.

THEY CONTINUE TO DO SO WHILE I'M NOT A HEADLINE GRABBER AND NOT SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING TO GET AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE OF EVERY PHOTO OP OR STEALING SCISSORS AWAY AT A RIBBON CUTTING, THAT'S NOT THE APPROACH I HAVE.

I KEEP MY HEAD DOWN LOW AND WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT AND STATE AND I WOULD MUCH PREFER TO HAVE MY HEAD IN A BRIEFING MEMO THAN AT SOME KIND OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FUNCTION.

PEOPLE HAVE KNOWN THAT ABOUT ME.

THEY HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW IT ABOUT ME.

MAYBE IT'S PART OF MY NORWEGIAN BACKGROUND.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO A NUMBER OF GOOD THINGS IN THAT TIME BECAUSE OF THAT.

I'M NOT SAYING I'M PERFECT.

THERE'S ONLY BEEN ONE WHOEVER WALKED THE EARTH THAT WAS PERFECT.

BUT I TRIED MY BEST ALL ALONG THE WAY.

I MAKE MISTAKES LIKE EVERYONE ELSE AND LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THAT.

THAT'S WHAT THE EXPERIENCE REALLY BRINGS.

I'M THANKFUL FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA AND BEING ABLE TO REPRESENT THOSE TYPES OF PEOPLE IN THE WAY I HAVE AND CAN CONTINUE TO DO SO.

I'M SO APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.

PLUS ANYONE WHO IS STILL LIVING IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA WHO WASN'T LURED AWAY TO SOUTH DAKOTA IN THE LAST LITTLE BIT OF TIME IS A TRUE MINNESOTA AN, AND THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF PEOPLE I WANT TO REPRESENT THE STATE.

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

>> MINNESOTA HAS A HISTORIC BUDGETS SURPLUS AT THE MOMENT.

WHAT IT TURNS OUT TO BE COME FEBRUARY OF NEXT YEAR WHEN WE START TO REALLY ESTABLISH OUR BUDGETS ARE UNCERTAIN BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT NEARLY $10 BILLION, BUT WE ALSO HAVE ISSUES OF INFLATION, AND RAMPANT AROUND THE WORLD AND THE COUNTRY AND OUR STATE.

WE HAVE GAS PRICES MUCH HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY WERE TWO YEARS AGO, AND WE HAVE ISSUES LIKE CRIME AND THE FACT WE HAD CITIES BURNING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND WE HAVE ISSUES OF JUST HOW MUCH LOCAL CONTROL OUR SCHOOL BOARDS AND OUR FAMILIES HAVE IN WHAT GOES INTO THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN.

THESE ARE AREAS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON.

I'M OF THE OPINION THAT THE BUDGET SURPLUS THAT WE HAVE SHOULD BE USED MORE FOR TAX RELIEF THAN IT IS FOR SPENDING.

I DON'T BELIEVE YOU CAN SPEND YOUR WAY INTO PROSPERITY.

WHEN IT COMES TO "LAW AND ORDER" IN THIS STATE, I WANT TO SEE US BE ABLE TO HAVE TOUGHER CRIMES FOR CRIMINALS AND I WANT POLICE TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOBS.

I WANT THOSE WHO CAN PROSECUTE TO ACTUALLY PROSECUTE.

THAT'S WHY I HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE MINNESOTA POLICE OFFICERS AND PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE MORE "LAW AND ORDER" IN THIS STATE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE COMING BEFORE US, I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE EDUCATION BACK TO THE CONTROL OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS INTO THE PARENTS THAT ARE THERE AND REALLY JUST FIND NEW WAYS TO INVEST AND HAVE PEOPLE BE ABLE TO INVEST LOCALLY IN THEIR OWN BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS SO WE CAN MOVE OUR WAY OUT OF THE IMPENDING RECESSION THAT IS CLOSER TO US EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THOSE ARE THINGS I WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING ON IN ST. PAUL.

I HOPE YOU WILL SEND ME BACK IN ORDER TO WORK ON THOSE IMMEDIATELY.

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

>> MY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE IS I'M A MAIN STREET BUSINESS OWNER.

I SIGN THE FRONT OF THE PAYCHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES.

I KNOW I NEED TO DELIVER EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TEAM MEMBERS HAVE THE STABILITY TO BE ABLE TO BRING A CHECK HOME AND TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES AND SO THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO THINKING LIKE THAT.

THAT'S THE KIND OF THOUGHT THAT ISN'T IN ST. PAUL RIGHT NOW.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR OCCUPATIONS LISTED ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR LEGISLATORS, OVER 20% OF THEM ARE EITHER RETIRED OR THEY LIST THEIR OCCUPATION AS LEGISLATOR.

WHERE IS THE CONNECTION TO THE PEOPLE WITH THAT?

I LIVE MAIN STREET EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR STARTED SHUTTING DOWN THE STATE TWO YEARS AGO, HE SHUT MY BUSINESS DOWN, TOO.

I HAD TO ASK PERMISSION IN ORDER TO GET THE STORE OPEN BACK UP.

I HAVE A DEADLINE.

AT THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION I HAVE PLACES I NEED TO BE IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I LIVE.

SO I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DRAG THINGS OUT.

I DON'T HAVE TIME TO TRY AND NEGOTIATE FOR LITTLE THINGS HERE AND THERE AND MAKE THE WHOLE PROCESS KIND OF A MESS.

I HAVE TO GET THINGS DONE, SO I CAN GET ON TO THE NEXT THING.

THAT'S WHAT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS DO.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF THEM IN ST. PAUL.

WE SURELY DON'T NEED TO HAVE FEWER OF THEM IN ST. PAUL.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO UNDERSTAND HOW THE ECONOMY WORKS.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE NEED TO GET THINGS TO GROW.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED THE MOST WHEN IT COMES TO THE IMPENDING RECESSION.

WE HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS THIS YEAR, AND WE HAVE INFLATION AND SHAKY ECONOMY ON THE RISE.

YOU WANT SOMEONE WHO HAS THEIR FINGER ON THE PULSE OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY, WHAT'S GOING ON THERE.

I KNOW WHAT THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN ON A NATIONAL SCALE BY THE WAY PEOPLE SHOP LOCALLY.

I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT AND BRING THAT PERSPECTIVE TO YOU IN ST. PAUL.

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

>> MINNESOTA HAS ONE OF THE MOST EXPANSIVE AND INTERESTING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM.

IF YOU GO TO ANY PART OF THIS STATE, YOU ARE GOING TO FIND SO MANY DIFFERENCES THROUGHOUT THERE, WHETHER IT'S CULTURE, ETHNICITIES, TOPOGRAPHY OF THE LAND.

YOU HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT AREAS TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE.

I WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT TO THE FULL EXTENT THAT THEY CAN.

I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN DO BUSINESS, WHERE THEY CAN START A BUSINESS.

WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HOW PEOPLE HAVE MOVED FROM THE TYPE OF WORK THAT WE HAVE KNOWN FOR TWO GENERATIONS TO WANTING TO START UP THEIR OWN MOM AND POP SHOP TYPE OF THING.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T SUPPORT THAT TYPE OF EFFORT.

SO I WANT TO SEE MINNESOTA BE A STATE THAT DOES THAT, THAT ISN'T JUST ABOUT BRINGING IN THE BRINGINGEST PRODUCER AND HAVING SO MANY JOBS COME IN ONE PLACE, BUT HAVE A DIVERSITY OF BUSINESSES THAT COME ABOUT THERE.

THAT'S GOING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SEND KIDS TO OUR SCHOOLS, WHICH IS GOING TO BRING IN MORE REVENUE TO THE SCHOOLS OR HOPEFULLY TURN INTO BETTER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS THERE AND HAVE MINNESOTA BE A MAGNET FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO COME, WORK HARD, CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE AND ALSO MAKE IT A PLACE THAT WE CAN DO THINGS LIKE PROTECT LIFE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE IN THE DAWN OF LIFE AND AT THE END OF LIFE ARE BEING PROTECTED AND THAT THEIR LIVES ARE RESPECTED.

THAT'S WHY I'M COMMITTING THAT MY FIRST VOTE IF I'M REELECTED WILL BE FOR A PRO LIFE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THAT KIND OF PERSPECTIVE MOVING FORWARD AND WE CAN HAVE THAT AS OUR STATE AND REALLY START TO TURN THE TIDE ON WHERE WE ARE AT CURRENTLY IN THIS STATE.

>> AND NOW A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO EXPRESS MYSELF A LITTLE BIT ON WHAT I SEE FOR THIS STATE AND HOW I THINK I COULD BEST REPRESENT YOU.

I HAVE BEEN HAPPY IN THIS ELECTION TO BE ABLE TO GET THE ENDORSEMENTS FROM GROUPS LIKE THE CARE PROVIDERS OF MINNESOTA WHO PROVIDE SERVICE TO OUR ELDERLY IN NURSING HOMES.

I HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO GET THE ENDORSEMENTS OF THE MINNESOTA POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE LAW AND ORDER TAKEN CARE OF IN THIS STATE.

GLAD TO GET THE ENDORSEMENT OF MCCL MINNESOTA CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR LIFE.

I HAVE RECEIVED OTHER ENDORSEMENTS ALONG THE WAY FROM BUSINESS GROUPS LIKE THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER AND NFIB BECAUSE I HAVE THIS BUSINESS APPROACH TO THIS.

I'M WILLING TO WORK WITH ANYBODY WHO IS WILLING TO WORK WITH ME.

I'M NOT GOING TO STICK MYSELF OUT THERE JUST TO HAVE SOMEONE WAIT FOR ME TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

THAT'S NOT HOW NEGOTIATIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK.

THAT'S WHAT'S FAILED IN MINNESOTA BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO FOCUS ON BEING RETIRED OR HAVE THEIR OCCUPATION AS LEGISLATOR AND THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

NO.

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO CUT DEALS, WHO KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE AND CAN ACTUALLY MOVE THINGS FORWARD.

THAT'S WHY I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING GROUPS LIKE THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND DOCTORS THAT SUPPORT THAT GROUP AND REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE THOSE TYPES OF THINGS MOVING FORWARD THERE.

WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY IN THIS STATE TO USE THE HISTORIC SURPLUS FOR WAYS THAT DON'T SPEND US INTO ETERNITY FOR OUR TAXES AND ACTUALLY GET MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA.

I THINK THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE SHOULD BE TAKING AS A STATE.

YOU WILL NOTICE NONE OF THE GROUPS THAT I MENTIONED THERE THAT ENDORSED ME ARE THE TAX AND SPEND TYPE PEOPLE.

I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT ME.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

IT'S BEEN A DISTINCT HONOR AND PLEASURE AND I HOPE TO DO IT AGAIN FOR ANOTHER TWO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT JOE SCHOMACKER AT JOE FOR HOUSE.COM.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VOTING, HOW TO REGISTER BY VISITING THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE AT MN VOTES.ORG.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th.

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