St. Paul’s general election is coming up, and this year’s ballot includes four races: A special election for senator, St. Paul school board, the House of Representatives and one ballot question regarding levying taxes. These elections will all be held Nov. 5, 2024.
Special election for Senate District 45
Following the resignation of Senator Kelly Morrison of Senate District 45 (southwestern Hennepin County), Governor Tim Walz issued a Writ of Special Election to fill the position’s vacancy. The filing period for candidates occurred between June 10 and 11, 2024.
Candidates include Republican Kathleen Fowke and Democratic-Farmer-Labor members Kyle Jasper Meinen, Emily Reitan and Ann Johnson Stewart.
Kathleen Fowke is a real estate agent whose priorities center around what she believes is best for families: high quality education accessible to all children, lower taxes and less government spending, support and resources for law enforcement officers, affordable healthcare and reproductive education, mental health advocacy, a clean environment and well-maintained neighborhoods. Fowke has received endorsements from the Minnesota Peace and Police Officers Association, Women Lead, Housing First Minnesota, the Leadership Fund and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
Kyle Jasper Meinen was asked by MPR News why he is running for this position. Meinen responded that he wants to “continue creating laws so that families can have a good safety net and live in dignity.” Meinen also told MPR that the main issues he plans to discuss with voters are costs such as food and other necessities that are cutting into savings or prohibiting people from paying for decent healthcare.
Emily Reitan is a board member for the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota Foundation. She aims to provide Minnesota with stronger laws on gun safety and reproductive rights, according to MPR. Reitan is endorsed by former Minnesota Senator Al Franken and U.S. Representative Dean Phillips.
Ann Johnson Stewart, former state senator, is a civil engineer, professor and small business owner committed to “moving Minnesota forward,” according to her campaign website. She advocates for an economy improved by tax cuts and job training, the right for women to make their own reproductive decisions, secure infrastructure and orderly public transportation, support for law enforcement, preservation of the environment, controlled government spending, affordable healthcare and resources to promote an effective and affordable school system. Stewart has been endorsed by the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, the Minnesota State Council, Sierra Club, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Women Winning, Pro-Choice Minnesota and Stonewall DFL.
St. Paul School Board
The North St. Paul School District (ISD 622) will elect four new board members during the general election. The candidates are Miriam Janechek, Nancy Livingston, Justin Middaugh, Charlotte Nitardy, Katie Swor and Kita Yang.
Miriam Janechek is an educator whose main priorities are student independence, civic engagement and experience with local business and trade, according to her website. She wishes to reduce screen time, prioritize social time and provide the school and community with a strong connection.
Charlotte Nitardy is a past school board member who believes that “every child deserves a quality education,” according to her Facebook.
Nancy Livingston, Justin Middaugh, Katie Swor and Kita Yang do not have public profiles for their campaigns.
House of Representatives
All 134 spots for the Minnesota House of Representatives will be up for election (Districts 1A through 67B). A full candidate list can be found here.
St. Paul ballot questions
This year’s election will have the following question on the St. Paul ballot:
“Should the city levy taxes to provide early learning subsidies?”
This would mean that early care and education would have no cost for low-income families. It would increase the amount of open child care spots and provide support for child care workers. If authorized, St. Paul will levy property taxes of $2,000,000 in the first year and increase by that same amount each following year for nine years.
By voting yes on this ballot question, you are voting for a property tax increase.
Bridget Schmid can be reached at schm1520@stthomas.edu.