Note: state government does not form laws on issues such as foreign policy, federal taxation or national defense.

Do you have to be a lawyer to be a state senator?

No.  State senators can and do come from all walks of life and educational backgrounds.  Currently, only 15 of Minnesota’s senators are attorneys.  What’s more important for a state senator is to understand the impact of laws and the economic strategy of using every tax dollar wisely to offer Minnesotans the highest quality of life without wasting tax dollars or other resources.  Laura has a BA degree in Economics and a Masters in Business/Strategic Management.

Why is Laura Helmer running for Minnesota State Senate?

When asked why she wants to be a member of the State Legislature, Laura responded, “I know that I can help make Minnesota a better place.  I want to be a voice for ordinary people, not a party agenda.  Extreme politics and gamesmanship too often have gotten in the way of responsible governing and principled leadership.  I want to be an active member of a State Legislature that has a positive vision and a commitment to issues that matter most to Minnesotans like better schools, better health care, a better environment and a better future for our kids.”

What issues would be important to Laura as my state senator?

Laura really wants to know what you care about because she would be your voice in St. Paul.  But, here are just a few of the issues that Laura feels passionate about:

§         finding ways to provide more Minnesotans with quality, affordable healthcare without harming small business owners

§         supporting statewide health insurance for school employees that would offer quality, affordable health care and enable us to put more dollars into the classroom rather than into insurance costs

§         working with business owners, and farmers to find ways to create renewable energy sources right here in Minnesota to help keep fuel costs down and reduce our dependence on foreign oil

§         improving our current roadways and investing in safe, modern transportation systems to meet future needs

§         providing ongoing, permanent property tax relief to Minnesota taxpayers

§         practicing sound fiscal policies and holding government accountable for  spending in order to protect our children from being left with irresponsible and unnecessary deficits

§         enacting sensible clean air and water regulations while holding polluters accountable under a “polluters pay” system

What can I do to choose the best candidate?

Think about the local issues that matter to you most — education, safety, transportation, renewable energy, etc. — and then ASK your candidate what she believes about that issue or how she may have voted in the past.

We elect legislators because of what they stand for and rely on them to make decisions in the best interests of the people in the district they represent, as well as the state as a whole.

Your senator is your voice in St. Paul and you should choose the candidate who will listen to you and deliver your message.

“We want to be able to feel that we have access to our representatives; that we can sit down and talk with them, and talk with them in an environment that allows for mutual respect.  But more than anything else, we want representatives to exercise, at all times, good judgment.  And good judgment may not be that they always see things our way.”  – Governor Arne Carlson, 2004