• The Journal extended an invitation to state and federal legislative candidates on the ballot in Cottage Grove to fill out a short questionnaire. Following are the responses. Not all candidates submitted a questionnaire response.

• State Senate District 41
Starting with state level races, facing off in State Senate District 41 are Tom Dippel (Republican) and Judy Seeberger (DFL). Seeberger did not return a questionnaire response, though a separate story by Bruce Karnick of the Hastings Journal includes responses from Seeberger.

Tom Dippel

As for Dippel, he is 44 years old and a current house representative for Minnesota House District 41B. A husband and father of six as well as a small business owner, Dippel shared more in a questionnaire.

Name: Tom Dippel
Age: 44
Seat/Office sought: Current House Rep. - Seeking MN Senate
Background/Education: As a husband, father of six, small business owner of nearly 20 years, and current State Representative, I understand the challenges facing families, businesses, and communities across our district. It is my desire to serve and sacrifice for the community I grew up in and love. 
During my first term in the Minnesota House, I helped pass property tax relief and car tab fee reductions you'll see next year. I also secured $17.5 million to provide clean drinking water for part of the district and $9.6 million for a critical road improvement project in another area. These investments make our communities safer, stronger and more prosperous.
I am running for the Senate because I believe we need more people at the Capitol who understand what it means to balance a budget, make payroll, raise a family, and be accountable for the decisions they make.
What is your basic philosophy of government and representation?Minnesota families expect their elected representatives to work together, negotiate in good faith, and focus on solving problems. Unfortunately, we have seen major spending decisions, last-minute negotiations, and legislation that has not always received the scrutiny it deserves.
I believe the legislature should operate with greater transparency, fiscal discipline, and accountability. We should be willing to work across the aisle when it benefits Minnesotans, but we should also be willing to stand firm when proposals are not in the best interests of the people we represent.
What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?My first priority will be continuing to deliver meaningful results for the people of District 41.
That means protecting our drinking water, improving critical infrastructure, reducing the financial burden on families, and supporting safe, thriving communities.
Campaign Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/DippelForSenate    https://x.com/TomDippel    https://www.instagram.com/dippel4mn/   

• State Senate District 53

• Moving to State Senate District 53, the seat with bearing on southwest Washington County is currently being contested between Paul Cumings (DFL) and Todd Podgorski (Republican).

• Todd Podgorski

• Starting with Podgorski, he is 53 years old, married for over thirty years to a first grade public school, and has three adult children.
• With two associates degrees as well as a B.A. and a background as a peace officer for Ramsey County, he shared more in a questionnaire.

• Name: Todd Podgorski
• Age: 53
• Seat/Office sought: MN State Senate District 53
• Background/Education: I have been married for over thirty years, and we have three adult children. I have worked as a Peace Officer for over twenty-eight years in Ramsey County. My wife is a first-grade public school teacher. I have served our community in South St. Paul as both a School Board Member and City Council Member for a total of eighteen years. I am proud of bringing people together to get big things done. I have a proven track record of success. My education includes an A.A.S. -Law Enforcement, A.A. -General studies from Inver Hills C.C. and I also earned a B.A.-Political Science minor in Sociology from Winona State University.
• What is your basic philosophy of government and representation? My basic philosophy is that government should provide public safety to its residents, so they feel safe going about their everyday life. This sense of safety then allows them to enter the free market for jobs and trade so they can acquire wealth. Some of this wealth will be property and government should respect and protect people’s private property. At the state level the state has a responsibility to educate its children. The government is best represented by having a democratic republic that elects its leaders through free elections, and they govern according to a rule of law and constitution.
What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it? As a Peace Officer I have seen firsthand how we need to do much better at helping those people who have severe mental illness that is untreated. I believe we need to double the amount of state-run mental health beds to help address this need. It’s compassionate and just to do so.

• Paul Cumings

• Also seeking a chance at Minnesota State Senate District 53 is Paul Cumings, a 45 years old current member of the South St. Paul School Board with 20 years experience in the executive and legislative branch of state government. Holding a bachelors degrees from Augsburg College and Masters Degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, he shared more in a questionnaire.

• Name: Paul Cumings
• Age: 45
• Seat/Office sought: Minnesota Senate (Senate District 53)
• Background/Education: 
• Current Member of the South St. Paul School Board.
• 20 years of experience as a senior staffer in the legislative and executive branch of state government
• Bachelors Degree from Augsburg College and Masters Degree from Humphrey School of Public Affairs
• What is your basic philosophy of government and representation? 
• People should be able to live free and independent lives. Yet, when your decisions impact others in the community, the government is an important tool in developing clear guidelines to maximize freedom, justice, and prosperity. The government can also be the people’s tool to solve big problems together as a community.  
• I grew up in a small town, where you learn early that it takes everyone to make a community work. People would show up for each other, no matter their politics. That lesson never left me. I believe a Senator works for everyone in their district - not just the people they agree with.  
• What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?
• Fixing the cost of living crisis is Job #1 for anyone going into public office.  Childcare. Groceries. Housing. Health care. Everything costs more, and paychecks aren't keeping up. That is not an accident. Right now, billionaires are running roughshod over our economy, and working families need someone at the Capitol who knows how to fight back.  I am working to increase new construction of starter homes, ensure all people have access to low barrier primary health care, and to provide low or no cost child care.  I also support regulations on surveillance pricing for groceries.  
• Campaign Social Media:
• Website: www.paulcumings.com
• Email: paulcumings4senate@gmail.com
• Facebook: @CumingsforMNSenate
• X: @paulcumings

• Minnesota House District 41A

Also on the ballot Nov. 3 are house races. Facing off for Minnesota House District 41A are Cole Birkeland (DFL) and Wayne Johnson (Republican).

Cole Birkeland

Starting with Birkeland, he is 29 years old and currently works as an attorney helping people protect their retirement savings and civil rights. His background includes work as a city attorney for numerous local governments in the metro area, with a history degree from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul and a law degree from the University of Minnesota. He shared more in a questionnaire.

• Name: Cole Birkeland
• Age: 29
• Seat/Office sought: Minnesota House of Representatives, District 41A
• Background/Education:
• I currently work as an attorney representing people to protect their retirement savings and civil rights. Prior to that, I worked as a city attorney with numerous local governments across the Twin Cities metro area. I studied history at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul and have a law degree from the University of Minnesota.
• What is your basic philosophy of government and representation?
• The primary role of government is to promote a high quality of life for the people it serves. Unfortunately, divisive and extremist politics have failed to deliver this adequately and people are hungry for change. As an attorney, I protect people’s hard-earned retirement savings and their civil rights through the legal system. If elected, I’ll protect people’s rights and their livelihoods at the Capitol. I want to make life better for people as a representative. Therefore, my main focus is to deliver common-sense results that improve the quality of life for those in my district and across Minnesota.
• What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?
• The most important issue to me is lowering the cost of living. Almost daily, I talk to people who are overburdened by rising costs in a vast array of areas, including gas prices, housing, healthcare, fraud, and water pollution. Minnesotans are having to pay a real price for the lack of leadership in certain levels of government. We need more accountability across the board: rooting out fraud, making polluters pay for the damage they cause, more transparency in medical billing, and stopping predatory practices in private-equity homeownership. Voters are hungry for change and want elected leaders who will lower the cost of living and put people over politics.
• Campaign Social Media:
• Facebook @ColeforHouse
• Instagram @ColeBirkeland

• Wayne Johnson

• Also running for Minnesota House District 41A is the current incumbent, 61-year-old Wayne Johnson. Johnson’s holds a B.S. in accounting from Metropolitan State University, with prior government experience including service as Washington County Commissioner and Cottage Grove City Council Member. Holding a basic philosophy in government to “do no harm,” Johnson shared more in a questionnaire.

• Name:  Wayne A Johnson
• Age: 61
• Seat/Office sought: Minnesota House of Representatives District 41A
• Background/Education:  Currently serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Former Washington County Commissioner and Cottage Grove City Council Member. Owner of Dust Doctors Air Duct Cleaning and Dryer Vent Cleaning and former owner of Furnace Doctors Heating and Cooling. I have a BS in Accounting from Metropolitan State University.
• What is your basic philosophy of government and representation?
• “Do no harm” is my basic philosophy of government. We should never enact legislation that knowingly harms Minnesotans or creates problems that future legislatures must fix. Good ideas should come from the people we represent, not just from government. Listening to our constituents, respecting different perspectives, and working with those with whom we may disagree are essential to effective leadership. Our responsibility is to serve all Minnesotans, not just those who agree with us.
• What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?
• Affordability is the most important issue facing Minnesotans. From healthcare and housing costs to property taxes and income taxes, decisions made by state government directly impact household budgets. Fraud, high taxes, and unfunded mandates add to these financial pressures. I will continue working to identify and prevent fraud, reduce the tax burden on families and businesses, and eliminate unfunded mandates that drive up costs for local governments, schools, and taxpayers. Minnesota families deserve a government that lives within its means and makes affordability a priority.
• Campaign Social Media:
• www.facebook.com/WayneJohnson4MN
• www.waynejohnsonformn.com

• Minnesota House District 41B

• Facing off for Minnesota House District 41B are William Beck (Republican) and Jen Fox (DFL).
• Beck is a lifelong Minnesotan and a married father of two children, with website at beckforhouse.com.
• Fox is a lifelong Hastings resident, small business owner and longtime community participant. She previously ran against Tom Dippel for District 41A in 2024. Her current campaign website is jenfoxforhouse.com.
• See related story in this week’s Journal by Bruce Karnick for information on and responses from Fox and Beck.

• Minnesota House District 53B

• Also included in local house races is Minnesota House District 53B with bearing on Newport and St. Paul Park. Candidates for Minnesota House District 53 are Rick Hansen (DFL) and Patti Mikulski (Republican).

• Rick Hansen

• Starting with Hansen, he is 63 years old and the current incumbent. Holding a B.S. in biology from Upper Iowa University and an M.S. in soil management from Iowa State University, Hansen shared more in a questionnaire.

• Name: Rick Hansen
• Age: 63
• Seat/Office sought: State Representative, 53B
• Background/Education: Small Business Owner/B.S., biology, Upper Iowa University; M.S., soil management, Iowa State University
• What is your basic philosophy of government and representation?
• The primary role of government is to help and improve people’s lives. The well-off and well connected have always had access to power. As a state representative, I work for the people, not rich corporate special interests.
• What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?
• Clean air, land and water. Now more than ever, we need a problem-solving approach at the Minnesota Legislature. I am a problem-solver with experience as a scientist, small business owner, farmer, and local elected official to solve the complex problems facing our state. 
 
• Campaign Social Media: Facebook and X/@RepRickHansen

• Patt Mikulski

• Contesting Minnesota House Seat 53B is Patti Mikulski, a 63 years with experience in aviation, as well as business and non-profit endeavors. Mikulski shared more in a questionnaire.

• Name: Patti Mikulski 
• Age: 63
• Seat/Office Sought: MN House of Representatives/53B
• Background/Education?
• While my main experience is in aviation, I have successfully started/sold businesses, began a nonprofit for victims of human trafficking and currently sit on the Environmental Advisory Committee in Inver Grove Hts. 
• What is your basic philosophy of government and representation?
• My philosophy for government is that people should be able to keep more of their own money to invest in their families and communities. There must be strict oversight on spending and programs must deliver measurable results. 
• Campaign Social Media:
• https://www.mikulski4house.com

• U.S. Senate

• Included in ballot candidates for U.S. Senate are Peggy Flanagan (DFL), Michele Tafoya (Republican), Rebecca Whiting (Libertarian), and Marisa Simonetti (unaffiliated).
• Simonetti was the only candidate to return a questionnaire response. Flanagan keeps a campaign website at peggyflanagan.com, while Tafoya has a presence at micheletafoya.com. Whiting has a website at whiting4senate.us.

• Marisa Simonetti

• As for Simonetti, she is 33 and unaffiliated as to party, with a background as a systems architect and corporate operations executive and four years of hand-on legal experience in civil, family, criminal, traffic, and cancelations courts. Believing that government should protect everyday people, she shared more in a questionnaire.

• Name: Marisa Simonetti
• Age: 33
• Seat/Office sought: United States senate
• Background/Education:
• Systems architect and corporate operations executive with four years of hands-on legal experience navigating civil, family, criminal, traffic, and conciliation courts. I've watched how the system operates, and the deceptive tools they use to protect their image as they say the 'right words' 'on the record' to impose the narrative, extracting resources from hardworking Minnesotans.
• What is your basic philosophy of government and representation?
• Every single person we talk to has this strange, gut-level feeling that the system just isn't fair anymore. My philosophy is simple: government should protect everyday people, not prey on them. Right now, the balance is completely broken. Representation means standing as a constitutional firewall between regular citizens and a bloated administrative state. I believe public servants must be held directly accountable to the taxpayers for every dollar spent, ensuring the rules are applied uniformly, transparently, and fairly to everyone—not just the politically connected.
• What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?
• The most critical issue is how the system is actively squeezing the life out of regular families. We see it everywhere. From the soaring cost-of-living and collapsing housing affordability to corporate overreach like private, for-profit prisons and the invasive surveillance of Flock license plate cameras tracking your every move. Meanwhile, our local infrastructure is strained by unchecked immigration pressures that taxpayers are forced to fund. The system is not fair and many have spoken up about it and been dismissed. This is because those who benefit refuse to give up their entitlement to profiteering and abuse of the people. I am the only one who is not beholden to a party or the system and who can actually standardize what we all know needs to be done.

• Campaign Social Media:
• https://www.marisasimonetti.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/MarisaSimonetti28/
• https://www.instagram.com/marisa.simonetti28
• https://www.tiktok.com/@marisa.simonetti28

• U.S House District 2

• Also on the ballot is U.S. House District 2, currently held by Angie Craig. Craig was defeated earlier this year in a primary for U.S. Senate. Looking to fill the Seat for U.S. House District 2 are two candidates, Matt Little (Democrat) and Eric Pratt (Republican).

• Matt Little

• Starting with Little, he is 41 years old, a graduate of Rosemount High School as well as the University of Minnesota, and former state senator who authored or co-authored over 60 bipartisan bills. He shared more in a questionnaire.

Name: Matt Little
Age: 41
Seat/Office sought: House of Representatives, Congressional District 2
Background/Education: I spent summers on my grandpa’s farm growing up, graduated from Rosemount High School, University of Minnesota Morris, and then the University of Minnesota Law School. I served as a Lakeville city councilmember, Mayor of Lakeville, and State Senator, where I authored or co-authored over 60 bipartisan bills, including Minnesota’s red flag law and affordable insulin.
What is your basic philosophy of government and representation?
My politics don’t come from a book. They come from the people of this district. Representation comes from understanding why people are struggling. I invite people who disagree with me – from any party – to sit down over breakfast and talk about it. Government should serve working people, not elite interests, which is why I refuse corporate PAC, AIPAC, and dark money. I build coalitions where possible and fight like hell where they aren’t.
What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?
Affordability. The cost of necessities have outpaced income for decades. I watched my dad lose his job when the tech bubble burst and my mom’s health depending on an insurance industry that serves shareholders first. For too long, policy choices have rewarded wealth over work. I’ll fight to:
• Build more housing of all types
• Pass Medicare for All and expand drug price negotiation
• Establish universal pre-K and affordable child care
• Permanently expand the Child Tax Credit
• Cap student loan interest at 2%
• Tax capital gains and close loopholes for the ultra-wealthy
• Protect every worker’s right to organize

Campaign Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/MattMLittle/
https://www.instagram.com/mattlittleforcongress/

https://x.com/LittleCongress
https://bsky.app/profile/littleforcongress.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@LittleForCongress

Eric Pratt

Also running for House District 2 is Eric Pratt, a graduate of the University of St, Thomas with an MBA and University of Colorado in Economics after previously graduating from Prior Lake High School. Holding a basic philosophy that government should serve people rather than manage their lives, Pratt shared more in a questionnaire.

Name: Eric Pratt
Seat/Office sought: U.S. Congress District 2

Background/Education: 
University of St. Thomas, MBA 
University of Colorado (Boulder) Economics
Prior Lake High School

What is your basic philosophy of government and representation?
My basic philosophy is that government should serve people, not manage their lives. Representation starts with listening and earning your trust. You deserve a representative who tells you the truth instead of political spin.
Families across our communities tell me they need real relief from high prices. That is why I consistently voted against raising income taxes, payroll taxes, gas taxes, and tab fees, while delivering common-sense results that make life more affordable.
This race is a clear contrast in priorities. Matt Little is backed by the DSA, pushes new government programs, and cares more about social media views than leading. I believe families do best when they can keep more of their hard-earned money and make their own choices.
I am proud to be endorsed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Minnesota Farm Bureau, and both union and non-union labor. They know I have a proven record of listening, working across lines, and delivering real results. I will bring that same honest, accountable leadership to Congress.
.
What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?
Affordability is the most important issue facing families today. Families are working hard but still struggling with the cost of housing, groceries, health care, and energy. Government should help bring costs down, not add to the burden. In Congress, I would push for responsible spending and stronger oversight to uncover and stop fraud, waste, and abuse. I will support small businesses, good-paying jobs, lower health care costs, lower energy costs, and a pro-growth economy. Families deserve a government that respects their tax dollars and focuses on practical solutions to make everyday life more affordable.

Campaign Social Media:
www.EricPrattMN.com
www.facebook.com/EricPrattMN
x.com/EricPrattMN
instagram.com/ericprattmn
www.youtube.com/@EricPrattMN