Senate District 9 primary candidates answer 5 questions

DOUGLAS COUNTY – Two Republican candidates for Minnesota Senate District 9 – Jordan Rasmusson and Nathan Miller – are running in the Aug. 9 primary election to be on the ballot on Nov. 8.

District 9, which roughly includes the western half of Douglas County, contains some of the area that had been represented by Republican Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen of Alexandria, who decided to retire after serving District 8 for 16 years.

The winner of the Rasmusson/Miller primary will move on to face DFL-endorsed Cornel Walker of Fergus Falls in the general election.

To provide more information about the District 9 primary, the Echo Press sent five questions to Rasmusson and Miller. Here are their responses:

NATHAN MILLER

1. Please provide background information and qualifications for the MN Senate (brief bio, occupation, experience, skills, etc.)

My Bride Anna and I have 3 children who we are currently homeschooling.
I was born and raised in Douglas and Pope County.
Attended Bismarck State College for Process Plant Technology in 2005-2006
I have worked in Texas, Maryland, North Dakota and Minnesota as a power plant operator, coordinator and Operations Manager.
I achieved my Bachelor’s degree in Energy Management in December 2015.
We own 2 separate rental properties that I manage in Minnesota.
We also have a 40 acre farm we own south of Battle Lake where we live out our convictions, work and raise our children. We are a family rooted in the Life, Liberty and Joy that comes with having a personal relationship with our Almighty Savior.

2. Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I am not a politician. I am here to bring political courage to the senate not to advance and protect my political career. I am a big proponent of much needed term limits. I am willing to take on the agenda of big government. We do not co-parent with the government. The over sexualization of education must be stopped. We the People are who possess the power in this country, not government. I will push to repeal worthless and harmful policies like the NGEA. I have never been a democrat or adhered to the marxist principles of what the current regime is trying to indoctrinate us with.

3. If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why?

Voter Integrity – we must have the ability to civilly fire our elected officials. We can never have another election stolen again.
Constitutional infringement – we have a long list of infractions against our individual liberties going on in this state. A few are forced medical procedures, over taxation and bureaucratic rule. This continues to strangle our livelihoods and freedom; I will fight against this tyranny at all costs.
Accountability – locking up and isolating our elderly away from their families was disastrous. Not to mention the crippling of our economy and the political persecution of small business owners. Jan Malcolm and Tim Walz should not only be fired but tried in court for their handling of the Covid virus.

4. How would you ensure election laws do not create barriers to Minnesotans’ freedom to vote while also ensuring safe and secure elections?

Having been an election judge in the past I firmly believe the barriers are self-inflicted. We need to take ownership and responsibility to go vote. Voting should be one day, paper ballots, hand counted, picture ID required, provisional ballots for any same day registration, absentee ballots at your courthouse only for 2 weeks leading up to the day of election. If we can't sacrifice a little time and effort to go exercise our right to vote, a right that was paid for by the blood and sacrifice of our forefathers, then that right clearly is not important to us.

5. What legislation, if any, would you support to reduce gun violence in Minnesota?

I would support constitutional carry to help deter violent acts by violent people and also help end any violent acts more quickly.
I will not vote for any legislation that violates the constitutional right of keeping and bearing arms. “Shall not be infringed” makes it clear to me that our God given right to defend ourselves and remind our government who they work for must not be messed with. The only gun problem we have in this country is the limitations and regulations we pass to strip good law abiding citizens of their rights.
The real crisis is one of conscience or lack thereof. The devaluation of human life, the over medicating of our people, the addiction and division of social media and the absence of training societal virtue, consequences and what it means to be a citizen.

JORDAN RASMUSSON

1. Please provide background information and qualifications for the MN Senate (brief bio, occupation, experience, skills, etc.)

My wife, Emma, and I live in Fergus Falls. Our families have lived in the area for 6 generations. We are active members of Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard. I currently serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives and am honored to be the Republican endorsed candidate for Senate District 9. Outside of the Legislature, I work with businesses to analyze potential investments, create strategic plans, and improve operations. My clients have included seed companies, dairy co-ops, and many other types of businesses.

2. Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I am the proven conservative leader in this race. My track record in the Legislature has earned me the endorsements of Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, the Republican Party, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, the Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and the National Rifle Association.
I was one of only six legislators out of 201 to oppose all omnibus spending bills in 2021. Last year, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a 12% increase in state government spending – and I voted no because Minnesotans cannot afford it. I will continue to oppose wasteful government spending in the Minnesota Senate.

3. If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why?

Minnesotans are overtaxed, and I support returning the state budget surplus to taxpayers. I authored the bill to eliminate the state tax on social security income (House File 3752) and also authored a bill that would reduce the income tax on all Minnesotans (House File 4777). My top priority is to deliver permanent tax relief to you.
We need government to live within its means and stop adding costly regulations onto Minnesota business and consumers. I was awarded the “Guardian of Small Business Award” by the NFIB and am endorsed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce for working to reduce costly mandates that drive inflation.
Public safety is a key role of government, and I will continue to back law enforcement and first responders. I am honored to be endorsed by the Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association for my work on public safety.

4. How would you ensure election laws do not create barriers to Minnesotans’ freedom to vote while also ensuring safe and secure elections?

It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat in Minnesota’s elections. That’s why I authored the MN Elections Integrity Act (House File 2732) to make sure we have secure and fair elections in Minnesota. I support requiring Voter ID, banning ballot harvesting, and increasing criminal penalties for voter fraud.

5. What legislation, if any, would you support to reduce gun violence in Minnesota?

I am a strong defender of our 2nd Amendment rights. I am the only candidate in this race endorsed by the National Rifle Association. To curb gun violence, we need to prosecute violent criminals to the fullest extent of the law. I authored and passed a bill (House File 2725) that gives local prosecutors more tools to keep violent criminals off our streets.
In addition, we need to focus on mental health care access. I authored and passed a bill (House File 1305) that secured more mental health beds in our community to help our neighbors experiencing a mental health crisis. I will continue to support giving our local communities greater resources to better address the mental health crisis.