A Closer Look at MN 3

Minnesota’s Third District is a battleground on many levels.  Although the congressional race between 15-year incumbent Jim Ramstad and his DFL challenger Wendy Wilde is not considered competitive by many outside observers, the DFL does have reason to be optimistic in this district.  A deep bench of candidates at the local level devoted to people-powered campaigns and challenging the status quo means a long-term commitment to progressive campaigns and candidates, and a huge shift toward the Democratic Party in 2004 in formerly-blood-red places like Edina presents a tremendous opportunity to build a permanent majority at the state level.  Many in DFL circles believe a Democratic wave is building at the local level, and if victory does not come this year, it is only a matter of time.

Read more about Wendy Wilde in a recent MNCR interview.  Here’s some further information about the candidates:

Jim Ramstad

• Endorsements from Republican Party of Minnesota (RPM), Education Minnesota, National Education Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club, and several other large organizations.
• Background:  attorney, legislative aide, State Senator (1981-1991)
• War on Terror:  Supports military tribunals when civilian courts are deemed inappropriate, expanding discretion of law enforcement agencies to tap phones, read mail and email, but also supports prohibition on torture of suspects in terror cases.
• Women’s Choice:  “I support a woman’s right to choose within reasonable and rational limitations.”
• Budget/Spending:  “I support a constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget. I also support giving the President line item veto authority, as well as cutting pork barrel spending, reducing unnecessary discretionary spending, rescinding certain funds already allocated and eliminating wasteful federal programs.”
• More issues available at Ramstad’s National Political Awareness Test (NPAT) results.

Wendy Wilde

• Endorsements from Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, Minnesota AFL-CIO, DFL Veterans’ Caucus, and others.
• Background:  radio host, community activist
• War on Terror:  Time to get out now.  Supports redeployment outlined in Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA)’s plan.
• Education:  Roll back No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act
• Health Care:  National Single-Payer Health Care.  Lower administrative costs mean better competitive environment for American businesses.
• Social Security:  Keep it safe – will not vote to privatize it.
• More issues available on Wilde’s website.

Click here for MN 2