Meet the Candidates: MN House District 12A

Democratic candidate Becky K. Parker, of Ortonville, is challenging incumbent Republican candidate Paul Anderson, of Starbuck, for the District 12A seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives.The winner will serve a two-year term.

All candidates were given the same opportunity to respond to the Sauk Centre Herald questionnaire. Parker did not submit a response.

Responses to biographical information like name, age and occupation were limited to 50 characters each. Responses to the open-ended candidate questions were limited to 100 words each. Any responses beyond the maximum length were cut off at the limit with ellipses.

Paul Anderson

Age: 73

Occupation: Farmer

Why are you running for this position? I’m running to serve and represent the residents of District 12A. I have the necessary experience and seniority to chair a committee in the House of Representatives if Republicans regain the majority. We have seen what one-party control has done here in Minnesota, and I want to be part of the movement to bring balance and common sense back to state government.

If elected, what state issue do you hope to address within the 2025 legislative session? Ever since Minnesota had a surplus, we’ve been on a spending spree. The entire $17 billion surplus of two years ago is gone as our state budget grew by nearly 40%. In fact, during that same time, the DFL majority actually raised taxes/fees, such as higher vehicle registration tab fees. We must get our spending under control and return future revenue surpluses back to the taxpayers.

Political polarization is a common theme in state and federal politics. How do you plan to effectively work across the aisle? Being respectful of others and listening to their view is what I try to do. Hearing the other side of an issue is important. I serve as the lead Republican on the House Ag Committee, and I visit with committee members and constituents from both parties when coming up with bill language that we all can support.

What issue affecting your district do you find most pertinent and pressing? It’s the inflation that affects all of us. Whether grocery shopping or filling up at the gas station, we see every day that prices are going up. The state can do its part by holding the line on state spending and reducing taxes wherever it’s possible. Because of those rising costs, finding affordable housing is very difficult. And, because in many families both spouses are working, daycare is also very important for residents of our area.

Are there other issues you want to address? Being a farmer, I see firsthand how regulations and policies from the state can impact agriculture. We can’t legislate Minnesota into becoming an island of increased regulations that would make it difficult to compete with our neighboring states. We all want clean air and water, and we can have those things while still allowing our farmers to do their important work of feeding our nation and the world.