A Closer Look at MN 6

The sixth congressional district is one of the closest races nationally, and in Minnesota. Mark Kennedy (GOP) left the district to run for the US Senate seat left by Mark Dayton (DFL), and State Senator Michele Bachmann (GOP) and child safety advocate Patty Wetterling (DFL) are both running neck and neck to take the district which observers predict could be a key race determining the makeup of Congress. John Binkowski (Independence Party) has been polling under 10% in the district.

The 6th extends from St. Cloud, south and east to Woodbury, in an arc surrounding the Twin Cities. Since the 2002 redistricting, which added the conservative areas around St. Cloud, the district has trended Republican with Mark Kennedy winning twice, and President Bush garnering 57% in 2004.

more insideThe race between Wetterling and Bachmann has been a toss up. Congressional Quarterly deamed the district ‘no clear favorite’ in August from ‘leans Republican,’ and polls show the race has not left that category for two months, as the Foley scandal, campaign ad criticisms, and a controversial church speech have all had an influence in the race. Both candidates are well known for strong issue advocacy. Wetterling has been a tireless advocate of child safety issues having lost her son to a kidnapper 17 years ago, and has worked successfully on federal legislation. At the Minnesota legislature, Bachmann was a vocal advocate and author of the Minnesota Marriage Amendment that would ‘protect traditional marriage’ and end domestic partnerships, and ban civil unions and same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Binkowski, a former president of a Wisconsin construction company, is pulling support from both candidates, but it is unclear which candidate Binkowski pulling more support from.

Whichever candidate wins the seat, Bachmann or Wetterling, they will be the first woman to represent the 6th district in its 116 year history.

On the Web:
Michele Bachmann
Patty Wetterling
John Binkowski

Here’s a look at where the candidates stand on the issues: 

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Michele Bachmann, GOP
Energy: Favors decreasing dependence on foreign oil sources. Favors ANWR oil drilling, favors nuclear power and building more oil refineries. Denies the existence of global climate change.
Iraq War: Opposes timetable for withdrawal from Iraq; Iraq is important to national security and War on Terror.
Social Security: Supports full or partial privitization.
Health Care: Supports health savings accounts (HSAs), private market solutions, getting government out of health care (except for Medicare and Medicaid). Does not provide health care benefits to her campaign or family business employees.
Immigration: Require immigrants to learn English, secure borders with surveillance technology, more enforcement of current laws. No guest worker programs.
Transportation: More highways. Has indicated she does not support federal funding for Northstar Corridor. Supports Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)

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Patty Wetterling, DFL
Energy: Favors decreasing dependence on foreign oil sources. Supports The BIOFUELS Act, and PROGRESS Act
Iraq War: Favors time-table for bringing troops home.
Social Security: Favors protecting SS Trust Fund. Would make cost of living adjustments fair and tied to costs not inflation.
Health Care: Ensure all Americans have health care through various stages. Universal health care for children, increased health care for senior, and government negotiations with providers to reduce costs.
Immigration: Favors increased border control and immigration law enforcement. Favors crackdown on businesses who hire undocumented workers.
Transportation: Supports extending Northstar corridor to St. Cloud. Supports more transportation choices including mass transit.

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John Binkowski, IP
Energy: Favors decreasing dependence on foreign oil sources. Supports a federal gas tax to improve fuel efficiency. Supports alternative energy sources like wind and solar.
Iraq War: Supports ending occupation in Iraq, creating international dialogue on Iraq, and restoring equal power between Congress and White House.
Social Security:
Health Care: Supports option for all Americans to buy into state health care programs, reduce demand for health care (particularly related to obesity) with national health programs, make HMOs not for profit.
Immigration: Supports fines and increased taxes on illegal immigrants to compensate Americans for the costs associated. Does not support ’rounding up and deporting’ illegal immigrants.
Transportation: Supports increased mass transit and public transit. Income tax credits for people who use public transit to offset costs.

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