By: Louise Wallraff
Midterm elections are TOMORROW! (Tuesday, November 3rd) The best way to make change in Minnesota and in your community is to VOTE. Midterm elections take place two years after presidential ones, and serve the purpose of electing new senators, representatives, governors, and more, who all work to represent and lead Minnesota. Because Midterms have less voting turnout, your voice matters that much more. Even if you are not 18, you can still remind your family and friends to drive to the polls.
It is important to research what the candidates are running for. Make sure to look at a variety of sources to prevent bias: there are many ads targeted at candidates that focus on getting an emotional reaction rather than informing you. There is a list of sources at the end of the article further detailing who is running, and you can do research on your own time as well.
These midterms are especially important as CBS News states: “Whether the Democrats or the Republicans win will determine whether Congress acts as a check or an enabler on presidential power for the final two years of Donald Trump’s presidency.” Essentially, if the house and senate get more democratic leaders, President Trump will have less control over the country than he does now with a republican house and senate.
These midterms are also the most expensive elections that have ever happened in the US, with billions of dollars spent by megadonors like Elon Musk and super PACs (U.S. political committees that can raise and spend unlimited money for or against candidates).
There have also been attempts at undermining people’s voices with misleading voters, redrawing voting maps (redistricting), and making people scared to go out and vote. This shows just how crucial winning the election is for the people running, but what do average Americans care about? Bringing down food and gas prices, ending the war in Iran, and cheaper healthcare are all priorities.
Two important elections happening in Minnesota are:
Peggy Flanagan VS Michele Tafoya for US Senate
Peggy Flanagan is our current lieutenant Governor, she is campaigning on a progressive platform for Medicare for All, universal child care, and economic affordability. Michelle Tafoya is a broadcast journalist endorsed by Donald Trump who describes herself as a pragmatic, pro-choice conservative. She is running on strict law and order policies in MN, and mainly shares President Trump’s policies.
Amy Klobuchar VS Lisa Demuth for Governor
Amy Klobuchar is our current U.S. Senator. She is running on eliminating state fraud, lowering healthcare costs, expanding housing development, and protecting abortion rights. Lisa Demuth is the speaker for the Minnesota house of representatives, she is running on tax relief, less state budget spending, and targeting fraud.
On top of that, Steve Simon and Tad Jude are competing for Secretary of State, and Keith Ellison and Ronald Schutz for Attorney General.
On the national level, races like Abdul El Sayed VS Mike Rogers in Michigan, Josh Turek VS Ashley Hinson in Iowa, James Talarico VS Ken Paxton in Texas, and Mary Peltola VS Dan S Sullivan VS Daniel J Sullivan Jr. in Alaska are all getting plenty of media attention.
They are all races that determine which senators will be elected, because although media outlets are confident democrats will win the house, whether or not the senate will be red or blue is still somewhat uncertain.
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