♪ ♪ "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF MINNESOTA PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> Cathy: TONIGHT ON "ALMANAC" A DUO OF DEBATES THIS FRIDAY EVENING.

TAD JUDE OOKS TO STOP STEVE SIMON FROM SERVING A FOURTH TERM AS MINNESOTA'S SECRETARY OF STATE, AND WHO WILL FILL THE OPEN SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT?

MATT LITTLE AND ERIC PRATT JOIN THE "ALMANAC" COUCH AND MARY LAHAMMER WHO'S FILLING IN TONIGHT FOR ERIC ESKOLA HIGHLIGHTS AN A RACE THAT COULD SHAPE ST.

PAUL.

MA'AM MA'AM ONE OFFICIALLY MAKES MY RACE TO WATCH.

SEE WHICH ONE.

>> THIS DISTRICT IS SUCH A SWING DISTRICT.

>> IT IS A PURPLE DISTRICT.

WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO SPLIT THEIR TICKETS.

>> THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE STATEWIDE.

>> Cathy: IT'S FRIDAY NIGHT, WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

BEFORE WE LAUNCH INTO TONIGHT'S DEBATES WE BEGIN WITH SOME HEADLINES FROM ACROSS MINNESOTA.

EARLIER TODAY MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR JACOB FREY NOMINATED INTERIM MINNEAPOLIS POLICE CHIEF BILL PETERSON FOR A PERMANENT ROLE.

THE 30-YEAR ETERAN PREVIOUSLY LED THE FIRST PRE.

GETTING AROUND DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER SHOULD BE EASIER IN THE YEARS TO COME.

CIVIC LEADERS ARE CELEBRATING THE 6TH STREET BRIDGE PROJECT, WHICH SHOULD EASE CONGESTION ALONG SOUTH BROADWAY.

CONSTRUCTION SHOULD WRAP UP IN THE SPRING OF 2028.

FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ANNOUNCED AN ARREST AND CHARGES IN A POSSIBLE MASS SHOOTING PREVENTED AT THE MALL OF AMERICA.

THE PBS SAYS 18-YEAR-OLD SHEIKHDOON MOHAMUD INITIALLY WANTED TO JOIN THE TERROR GROUP ISIS IN SOMALIA.

BUT LATER CHANGED PLANS THINKING HE COULD ATTACK A GATHERING LATER THIS MONTH.

THE TEENAGER HAD BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH AN UNDERCOVER INFORMANT FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE HIS TUESDAY ARREST.

NOW AN ATTORNEY ALONG WITH REPUBLICAN ERIC PRATT A CURRENT STATE SENATOR REPRESENTING PRIOR LAKE.

ONCE AGAIN THE FORMAT WILL BE A TYPICAL "ALMANAC" DEBATE.

THAT MEANS NO TIMED RESPONSES, NO OPENING STATEMENTS, NO PODIUMS, NO STOPWATCHES, NO FORCED FORMALITY.

GENTLEMEN, YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN THERE I SPENT THE WEEK OUT IN A COMPETITIVE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, A RACE TO WATCH.

BOTH CANDIDATES RAN ON AFFORDABILITY.

>> MM-HMM.

>> LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR PATTY WHICH IS A REPUBLICAN I HEARD RUNNING ON AFFORDABILITY.

WHAT CAN A MEMBER OF CONGRESS DO ABOUT AFFORDABILITY?

AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT THAT ISSUE?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE T'S ONE OF THE THINGS I HEAR MOST ABOUT AS I'M OUT TALKING TO RESIDENTS OF THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH THE HIGH COSTS OF LIVING.

SMALL BUSINESSES ARE DEALING WITH RISING COSTS AND REGULATIONS.

MY BELIEF IS THAT FAMILIES DESERVE TO KEEP MORE OF WHAT THEY EARN.

I PASSED A CHILD TAX CREDIT HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS AND I WOULD FIGHT TO DO THE SAME THING AT -- IN WASHINGTON.

WE SHOULD STREAMLINE THE PERMITTING, FEDERAL PERMITTING AND INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING.

AND QUITE HONESTLY WE JUST REALLY NEED TO GET A GOOD PRO-GROWTH ECONOMY GOING THAT CREATES GOOD PAYING, SELF-SUSTAINING JOBS.

>> AND REALISTICALLY WHAT CAN A MEMBER OF CONGRESS DO ABOUT AFFORDABILITY?

>> WELL, I THINK IF YOU'RE GOING TO RUN FOR CONGRESS YOU GOT TO BELIEVE YOU CAN MAKE THE CHANGE WHEN YOU GET THERE.

I THINK THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO IS GET OUT OF THE WAR IN IRAN, A WAR POWERS RESOLUTION TO TAKE AWAY THE FUNDING, STOP FUNDING THE WAR IN IRAN.

THAT'S ONE OF THE DIFFERENCES ERIC PRATT AND I DR.

HAVE IN THIS RACE.

HE WANTS TO STAY THERE, I WANT TO GET OUT.

I THINK WE NEED TO END TARIFFS RAISING COST OF ALL COMMODITIES, CONGRESS ALSO HAS POWER TO TAKE THAT BACK.

WE DO NEED TO BUILD MORE HOUSING, FOUR TO FIVE MILLION MORE UNITS.

AND PASS MEDICARE FOR ALL AND SECURE LONGEVITY.

>> Cathy: SENATOR PRATT, -- SAID THAT INFLATION ON EVERYDAY ITEMS IS DUE ENTIRELY TO TRUMP TARIFFS.

THERE IS A GENTLEMAN RUNNING IN MICHIGAN, SENATOR MIKE ROGERS THINKS THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE END TO TRADE WAR WITH CANADA.

WOULD YOU CALL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, THE TARIFFS, PARTICULARLY THOSE TARIFFS WERE CANADA ARE HURTING MINNESOTA WORSE THAN A LOT OF OTHER STATES AND I HAVE NEVER BELIEVED THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TARIFFS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WE SHOULD BE USING TARIFFS TO EFFECT FAIR TRADE.

FOR INSTANCE, WE HAD CHINA DUMPING STEEL ON US SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

THAT WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO PUT IN A TARIFF.

WE SHOULD BE USING -- EVERY PRESIDENT'S USED TARIFFS TO ENACT THEIR FOREIGN POLICY.

BUT TARIFF IS A TAX.

AND I THINK CONGRESS NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REASSERT ITSELF AS A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO, ON TAXATION LIKE THAT.

>> Cathy: SOUNDS LIKE YOU TWO MIGHT AGREE ON THIS IN TERMS OF GETTING RID OF TARIFFS.

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY I DIDN'T HEAR THE FIRM ANSWER THAT HE WOULD STOP TARIFFS AGAINST CANADA BUT I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS WHO WILL ACTUALLY TAKE BACK HE POWER TO ONGRESS BECAUSE ERIC PRATT HAS SAID HE'S ALL IN ON TRUMP, WENT DOWN TO MAR-A-LAGO TO TRY TO GET AN ENDORSEMENT, SENT APE FUND-RAISING LETTER SAYING HE WILL STAND FOR TRUMP, HE WILL DO WHATEVER HE TELLS HIM O DO.

>> NO, I WAS THERE FOR A PRAGER U FUNDRAISER, MATT, I DIDN'T SAY THAT AND YOU KNOW I DIDN'T SAY THAT AND YOU CONTINUE TO REPEAT THE LIE AND IT'S NOT TRUE.

YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE UP FACTS AND MISLEAD VOTERS OF SECOND DISTRICT AND I WISH IT WOULD STOP.

>> SO I'M NOT MAKING UP ANY FACTS.

>> SURE YOU ARE.

>> YOU TOLD THE STAR TRIBUNE THAT.

>> I DIDN'T TELL THE STAR TRIBUNE THAT, IT WASN'T A QUOTE.

>> THE STAR TRIBUNE WROTE THAT.

-- YOU'VE BEEN IN POLITICS.

>> THAT'S NOT YOU SAYING -- WHERE DO YOU STAND WITH TRUMP RIGHT NOW?

LET'S CLARIFY WHERE YOU ARE WITH HIM RIGHT NOW?

LET'S HEAR IT IN YOUR WORDS.

>> LET'S HEAR IT IN MY WORDS, I DON'T AGREE WITH MY WIFE ON EVERYTHING, I DON'T AGREE WITH TRUMP ON EVERYTHING.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE A RUBBER STAMP ON ANYBODY'S POLICY, I'M GOING TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE SECOND DISTRICT.

I'VE DONE THAT N THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN REELECTED THREE TIMES AFTER WINNING THE FIR TIME.

I'VE BEEN AN INDEPENDENT VOICE IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

BUT MY OPPONENT CONTINUES TO TRY TO SAY I'VE SAID THINGS THAT I HAVEN'T.

HE CONTINUES TO TAKE PERSONAL ATTACKS ON ME.

HE ACCUSED ME OF PERSONALLY COMMITTING FRAUD AGAINST MY OWN CUSTOMERS WHEN I WAS AT U.S.

BANK.

THAT'S NOT THE TOP OF RECKLESS SPEECH THAT MOST PEOPLE IN THE SECOND DISTRICT WANT TO HEAR.

>> IS THIS RECKLESS?

>> IS WHAT PART RECKLESS?

>> DEPICTING YOUR OPPONENT WITH THINGS THAT HE'S SAYING THAT ARE NOT TRUE?

>> SPEAKING THE TRUTH?

HE HAS CAMPAIGNED IN HIS E-MAILS, SO MANY OF THEM, AND YOU'LL HAVE TO ADMIT, YOU'VE CAMPAIGNED THAT YOU HAVE 30 YEARS OF FRAUD AND RISK PREVENTION EXPERIENCE, BUT AT U.S.

BANK DURING YOUR TENURE, SHAM ACCOUNTS WERE OPENED.

YOU WERE FINED $37.5 MILLION, WHAT DID YOU DO ABOUT THAT?

NOTHING.

>> PERSONALLY, WERE YOU PERSONALLY FINED >> NO.

>> OR WAS IT THE ORGANIZATION?

>> U.S.

BANK WAS FINED.

>> OKAY.

BUT ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT -- U.S.

BANK DID?

>> NO, I WASN'T IN THE FRAUD DEPARTMENT AT THAT TIME.

I WAS IN A DIFFERENT PART OF THE BANK.

MY OPPONENT KNOWS THAT.

AND YET HE CONTINUES TO -- HE CONTINUES TO MISLEAD VOTERS IN THE SECOND.

>> LET'S MOVE ONTO ANOTHER ISSUE.

>> Cathy: YEAH, I WANT TO GO AROUND TO AFFORDABILITY AGAIN.

FOLKS WHO ARE WATCHING ARE PAYING A LOT FOR FOOD AND GAS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

TARIFF OF COURSE ARE ALSO, I'M GOING TO IT ON TARIFFS TOO, TARIFFS ARE DRIVING UP FOOD PRICES AND REALLY IN THE SECOND DISTRICT YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF FARMERS AND THEY'RE REALLY SUFFERING.

AND I'M WONDERING WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE ELECTED TO THE SECOND DISTRICT, WOULD YOU ONTO WANT TO SERVE ON THE AG COMMITTEE?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT THE FARM BILL THIS HAS BEEN HOLED UP IN THE SENATE?

AND HOW WOULD YOU HELP YOUR FARMERS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT?

>> YEAH, THANKS.

FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IS PASS EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR FARMERS.

THEY HAVE BEEN HURT ONCE AGAIN.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME TRUMP IN A MIDTERM AS VERY CLEARLY HURT OUR FARMERS SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PASS EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PASS A FARM BILL.

I THINK THERE'S SOME VERY GOOD THINGS IN THERE FOR MINNESOTA FARMERS NUMBER ONE BEING YEAR ROUND E15, I THINK THAT OPENS MARKETS, GETS MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF OUR FARMERS BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MODIFY THE S.N.A.P.

REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND THAT IS WHAT'S HOLDING IT UP.

THEY ARE PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM GETTING THE FOOD THEY NEED AND THAT ALSO HURTS FARMERS BECAUSE IT REDUCES THE DEMAND FOR WHAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO BUY.

>> WOULD YOU WANT TO SERVE ON THE AG COMMITTEE?

>> I'VE SAID I WANT TO SERVE ON AG ND GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT.

>> SENATOR PRATT.

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT COMMITTEES TO SERVE ON.

IF I WAS ABLE TO SERVE ON AG I'D LOVE TO.

>> WHAT ABOUT S.N.A.P.?

COULD YOU ADDRESS THAT SPECIFICALLY?

DID YOU SUPPORT THE CUTS FOR S.N.A.P.?

WOULD YOU WANT SOME OF THAT RESTORED?

HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE DISTRICT?

IS IS >> YOU KNOW, NOBODY HAS TO LOSE THEIR S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS.

THE CUTS ARE COMING FROM THE FACT THAT WE'RE REQUIRING PEOPLE TO WORK OR VOLUNTEER 20 HOURS A WEEK.

THESE WERE THE SAME ULES THAT WERE PUT IN UNDER THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, AND I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE WITHOUT CHILDREN, YOUNG CHILDREN, THAT THAT'S A REASONABLE EXPECTATION.

AND SO WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS LOOK AT -- BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY IN S.N.A.P.

IS GOING TO THE FAMILIES THAT NEED IT MOST.

NOT SPREADING IT OUT, AS FAR AS WE CAN BUT, REALLY HELPING THE MOTHERS AND THE HILDRENS AND THE FAMILIES THAT ARE REALLY STRUGGLING.

THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO PUT OUR FOCUS.

AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FARMERS CAN, YOU KNOW, GET THEIR CROP IN WITH THE CAPITAL AVAILABLE, THE RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCES THAT ARE THERE, AND ALSO OPEN UP NEW MARKETS LIKE E15.

>> ET'S TALK MORE ABOUT THE AG COMMITTEE AND CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG BECAUSE SHE WAS THE RANKING MEMBER ON THAT.

I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW FIRST OF ALL HOW YOU DISAGREE WITH HER OR HOW YOU WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM HER.

>> THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS.

>> OKAY.

>> AND I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR THE CONGRESSWOMAN, SHE HAS FLIPPED THE DISTRICT RED TO BLUE.

>> NO, THIS ISN'T THROWING SHADE, JUST HOW YOU DISAGREE.

>> YEAH, AND WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER ON A NUMBER OF THINGS SO I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR HER.

IN TERMS OF POLICY I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT GAZA, THAT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE THAT HER AND I HAVE.

I BELIEVE IT IS A GENOCIDE AND WE NEED TO STOP SENDING MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL AND WE NEED A FULL WEAPONS EMBARGO AND I LSO DISAGREE ON IMMIGRATION, I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THE LAKEN RILEY ACT.

>> OKAY, AND CAN YOU PROBABLY GUESS THE FLIP SIDE?

WHERE DO YOU AGREE WITH HER?

SHE WAS ELECTED AND OVERPERFORMED, WHAT DID SHE DO RIGHT AND WHERE DID YOU AGREE WITH HER?

>> I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG AND I HAD A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BUT DISAGREED ON MOST THINGS.

>> SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO AGREE.

OR SOMETHING SHE DID WELL OR SOMETHING WHERE YOU COULD FOLLOW IN HER FOOTSTEPS?

>> I CAN'T THINK OF THE SPECIFIC BILL I THINK THERE WERE SOME TIMES SHE WAS ABLE TO CROSS OVER AND REALLY REPRESENT THE DISTRICT BECAUSE IT IS A SWING DISTRICT.

AND, YOU KNOW, BEING A HARDCORE ON THE EXTREME LEFT, HAVING YOUR PLATFORM ALIGN WITH THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS ISN'T WHERE THIS DISTRICT'S AT.

THEY WANT SOMEONE WHO CAN THINK FOR THEMSELVES, THEY WANT SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND OPEN MINDED FOR SOLUTIONS.

>> ALIGNING WITH THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS?

>> I'M A D.F.L.ER, I'M NOT A DSAER, I THINK ERIC PRATT KNOWS THAT.

IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT EXTREMIST, I THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HE STAFFER ERIC PRATT HIRED.

HE KNOWINGLY HIRED A WHITE NATIONALIST WHO HAS SAID ISLAMAPHOBIC THINGS, ANTI-SEMITIC THINGS, SO ABHORRENT, LIKE SAYING I WANT TO DO BLACK FACE AS DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, HE KNOWINGLY HIRED THIS GUY.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT EXTREMISM.

>> DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE?

>> YEAH, I DIDN'T KNOWINGLY HIRE A WHITE NATIONALIST.

I HIRED A KID TO BE A DRIVER, HE WAS NEVER IN A POLICY R COMMUNICATION ROLE AND AS SOON AS WE FOUND OUT THERE THAT WE WERE -- WE CUT HIM LOOSE WITHIN AN HOUR.

>> CUT HIM LOOSE AS IN YOU FIRED HIM.

>> YES, WELL, WE LET HIM GO.

>> HE WASN'T YOUR FIELD DIRECTOR?

>> HE WAS, HIS TITLE WAS FIELD DIRECTOR BUT HE DID SIGNS, HE DID DOORKNOCKING, BUT HE WASN'T PART OF THE STRATEGY PART OF THE TEAM.

LOOK, WHAT HE SAID ANGERED ME.

THOSE AREN'T THE VALUES THAT I HOLD, THOSE AREN'T THE VALUES I WANT MY CAMPAIGN TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH.

AND WITHIN AN HOUR OF FINDING THAT OUT, HE WAS GONE.

>> SINCE IT CAME UP I'D LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU CURRENTLY DESCRIBE YOUR POLITICS BECAUSE I COVERED BOTH OF YOU IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, IN THE STATE SENATE.

I REMEMBER, SENATOR MATT LITTLE, BEING A MODERATE, REALLY TOUTING HOW YOU REACHED ACROSS THE AISLE AND MATT LITTLE WHO'S RUNNING FOR CONGRESS HAS BEEN KIND OF MORE OF A PROGRESSIVE.

WHAT ARE YOU?

>> YEAH, I THINK MY POLICIES THAT I WORKED ON AS MAYOR AND I WORKED ON IN THE STATE SENATE ARE VERY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT I'M DOING NOW AND WHEN WE ARE IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE I SUPPORTED THINGS LIKE PUBLIC OPTION BECAUSE MEDICARE FOR ALL IS NOT POSSIBLE, I WORKED HEAVILY ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SUPPORTED A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS BACK THEN.

YOU KNOW IT, YOU WERE THERE, I WENT AFTER INSULIN COMPANIES AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

MY POLITICS ARE CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT TIME.

>> WHAT ARE THEY?

WHAT DO YOU DESCRIBE -- SO WHAT'S THE TERM YOU USE TO DESCRIBE?

MODERATE, PROGRESSIVE?

>> ANYBODY CAN CALL ME WHATEVER THEY WANT.

I WOULD CONSIDER MYSELF A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT.

>> OKAY.

AND SENATOR PRATT, I WOULD SAY YOU HAD A CONSERVATIVE RECORD IN THE STATE SENATE BUT YOU'VE BEEN TALKING MORE MODERATE PERHAPS AS A CANDIDATE.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS T U.S.

BANK I WAS, AND THINKING OF RUNNING FOR THE SENATE I GOT CALLED IN TO THE CHIEF RISK OFFICER'S OFFICE AND HE SAID BANKERS ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS AND WE NEED MORE PROBLEM SOLVERS IN GOVERNMENT.

SO I WOULD DESCRIBE MYSELF AS A PROBLEM SOLVER.

EVERY BILL I'VE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE HAS BEEN ON A BIPARTISAN VOTE.

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE AND GET THINGS DONE.

WHETHER IT'S TEACHER LICENSURE REFORM OR TEACHER PENSION REFORM, ON THE JOBS COMMITTEE MATT AND I BOTH SAT ON WE FOCUSED ON THINGS LIKE MAKING SURE MINNESOTA WAS A GREAT PLACE TO INVEST, MAKING SURE WE HAD A WORKFORCE READY FOR THE JOBS OF TODAY AND THE JOBS OF TOMORROW AND MAKING SURE WE REMOVED BARRIERS SO MORE PEOPLE COULD BE PART OF THAT WORKFORCE.

>> SO WHAT TERM DO YOU?

LIKE WHAT CAN YOU STICK TO >> I LIKE PRAGMATIC.

>> OKAY, OKAY.

>> Cathy: SAY, WE'VE GOT KIND OF A LIGHTNING ROUND OF QUESTIONS HERE.

THEY'RE KIND OF FUN SO -- >> RELAX, DEEP BREATHS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: DEEP BREATHS.

MARY, WHY DON'T YOU START?

>> YOUR FAVORITE SPACE AT THE CAPITOL.

STATE CAPITOL.

>> Cathy: SINCE YOU BOTH SERVED.

>> Mary: WHO'S READY FOR?

>> I THINK THE SENATE CHAMBER WAS MY FAVORITE PLACE.

>> YEAH, I'VE GOT TO AGREE WITH MATT.

I MEAN, WHEN I WAS FIRST ELECTED I CALLED MY COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH BILL MCCARTNEY AND I SAID, COACH, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE WHERE I'M SITTING, HE WAS SO PROUD AND MY MOM AND DAD WERE SO PROUD.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

>> I GOT A FUNNY STORY IF WE GOT TIME.

>> NO, WE DON'T, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A LIGHTNING ROUND?

>> DEEPLY UNFAIR, ALL RIGHT.

>> Cathy: FAVORITE PODCAST?

>> OOH.

BOY, I'D HAVE TO SAY RIGHT NOW IT'S PROBABLY RUTHLESS.

>> GLOBAL NEWS PODCAST.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

THAT'S GOOD TOO.

ALL RIGHT.

YOUR FIRST CAR.

>> MY FIRST CAR AS, IT WAS MY DAD'S OLD CAR, IT WAS 1988 FORD TAURUS SHO.

>> Cathy: IT WAS COOL AT THE TIME KIND OF.

>> Mary: NO, IT WASN'T.

NO, IT WAS NOT COOL.

>> WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT COOL, LAHAMMER?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I HAD A LITTLE CHEVY PICKUP THAT I JUST BEAT THE HECK OUT OF.

>> Mary: THAT'S FUN, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

HOW ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN MADE SO MUCH OF THE AGE OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, EITHER OF YOU WOULD BRING THE AGE LIMIT I THINK WAY DOWN.

ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF AGE LIMITS IN CONGRESS?

>> YOU KNOW, BOY, THAT'S A TOUGH ONE.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

I THINK WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUALS AND SAY HAVE THEY GONE PAST -- >> Mary: IS IT A PROBLEM, THOUGH?

DO YOU AGREE IT'S TURNED INTO A PROBLEM?

>> I DO THINK IT'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER AND I GUESS I'M MORE SENSITIVE TO IT BECAUSE I JUST WAS CAREGIVER FOR MY DAD AS HE WAS PASSING AWAY FROM ALZHEIMER'S AND IT WAS EXTREMELY SAD TO WATCH AND IT WAS EXTREMELY SAD TO SEE SOME OF OUR OLDER MEMBERS THAT CONTINUE TO SERVE BUT MAYBE JUST DON'T HAVE THE PHYSICAL OR THE CAPACITY TO DO IT.

>> Mary: IS THIS A YES, NO, MAYBE.

>> YES, NO, MAYBE.

>> Cathy: OKAY, ABOUT 24 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE 80 YEARS OR BETTER.

>> OR BETTER, I LIKE THAT PHRASE.

>> THERE ARE SOME SHARP PEOPLE, YES, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S A MONEY PROBLEM.

MONEY IN OUR POLITICS IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM.

IT KEEPS PEOPLE THERE, HE ALLURE OF THAT MONEY AND POWER.

I DON'T THINK T'S AN AGE PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT ARE YOUNGER AND THEY'RE THERE AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE, SO I THINK THE VOTERS GET TO DECIDE WHO THEY'RE GOING TO ELECT, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT, I THINK IT'S A MONEY PROBLEM.

>> Cathy: OF COURSE YOU ARE ALL ARE GOING TO BE HAVING TO RAISE A LOT OF MONEY EVERY TWO YEARS.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'RE REMINDING US OF THAT.

>> Cathy: IT'S A HARD THING, DIALING FOR DOLLARS ALL THE TIME.

SO DO YOU SEE WAYS TO MAYBE, WHAT ABOUT CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM?

WHAT'S ON YOUR PLATE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT?

>> 100%, I THINK WE NEED TO OVERTURN CITIZENS UNITED BUT THERE'S ANOTHER SPEAKIER COURT CASE, BUCKLEY VIED VALE HOE THAT SAID MONEY IS SPEECH.

WE NEED TO OVERTURN THAT AS WELL.

>> Mary: HE WENT ATTORNEY.

CAN YOU GO BANKER ON THIS ONE?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

-- POSITION ON IT, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS HAVE A VOICE IN THEIR POLITICS AND I THINK MATT AND I AGREE ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, MY AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION IS RIGHT AROUND $75.

AND I'M PROUD OF THAT BECAUSE WE ARE TAPPING INTO THE GRASSROOTS.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE OUR VOICE NEEDS TO GO.

I HAVEN'T LOOKED SPECIFICALLY INTO VARIOUS ISSUES OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE BUT, YOU KNOW, -- >> Mary: IS CITIZENS UNITED A PROBLEM?

IS MONEY SPEECH, DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT PHILOSOPHICALLY OR DISAGREE >> I MEAN, WE CAN LOOK -- I MEAN, IF WE LOOK AT IT ACROSS THE BOARD WE HAVE A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER MINNESOTA THAT ARE TAKING THAT -- MONEY AND USING IT.

>> Mary: I THINK BOTH SIDES ARE DOING IT FOR THE RECORD.

>> HONESTLY YOU'RE RIGHT, BOTH SIDES ARE DOING IT.

BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT THEN WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT HOLISTICALLY.

>> Cathy: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CONGRESS HERE FOR JUST UA MOMENT, IT'S A MESS.

YOU ALLUDED TO THAT, SENATOR PRATT, A GALLUP POLL RECENTLY, ONLY 10% OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THINK CONGRESS IS DOING A GOOD JOB.

AND CONGRESS, YOU ALLUDED TO THIS, SEEMS CONTENT TO TURN OVER ITS POWER TO THE PRESIDENT.

WAR POWERS, POWER OF THE PURSE.

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE TO WREST CONGRESS' POWER BACK?

>> I THINK IT IS WHOLLY DEPEND ON THE TYPE OF PEOPLE YOU ELECT AND GOING BACK TO WHAT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, MONEY IS THE PROBLEM, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR.

THEY GET ALL OF THIS MONEY TO GET ELECTED, TO HOLD THAT TITLE AND THEY GO AND DO THEIR BIDDING AND THEY DON'T WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.

I THINK THAT IS, WE'RE SEEING THAT TIME AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

SO ELECT PEOPLE THAT ARE UNBOUGHT.

>> Cathy: SENATOR PRATT.

>> I WOULD ADVOCATE FOR DOING WHAT I DID DURING COVID.

AND THAT WAS WHEN GOVERNOR WALZ WOULD PUT FORTH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, WE HELD A HEARING ON IT, WE DRAFT A BILL ON IT, WE TOOK BACK THE POWER OF THE LEGISLATURE DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

ONE OF THE ONES THAT I REMEMBER THE MOST WAS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REFORM.

DOING AWAY WITH SOME OF THE INITIAL BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE LAID OFF FROM GETTING THOSE FUNDS BECAUSE WE WERE IN SUCH A UNIQUE SITUATION.

I THINK CONGRESS HAS GOT TO -- THE PRESIDENT CAN DO THESE IMAGE EXECUTIVE ORDERS BUT I THINK CONGRESS HAS GOT TO HAVE THE WILL TO STAND UP AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUR STAMP ON IT, YES OR NO.

>> Mary: SOMETHING CONGRESS MAY VOTE ON AND ONE OF YOU MAY HAVE THE CHANCE TO VOTE ON, MINNESOTAN PETE HEGSETH IMPEACHMENT.

>> DEFINITELY.

>> Mary: HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?

>> YES, IMPEACH.

>> Mary: WHY?

>> I THINK THEY HAVE -- THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY ARE ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT ADMINISTRATIONS OF OUR TIME.

THEY ARE SELF-DEALING, THEY ARE TRADING STOCKS AND THEY ARE TRADING -- >> Mary: WHY HEGSETH SPECIFICALLY INSTEAD OF THEY, WHY HIM?

WHY HIM, REMOVAL?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S ALL OF THEM AND THAT APPLIES TO HIM AS WELL.

BUT LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS DONE WITH THE WAR IN IRAN.

I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ILLEGAL WAR, LOOK AT WHAT HE'S DONE TO CHANGE EVEN THE NAME OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

I THINK THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS IN WHICH HE SHOULD BE IMPEACHED ON.

HE IS NOT FOLLOWING THE CONSTITUTION AND NOT SERVING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: A VOTE COULD BE BIPARTISAN IF THIS ACTUALLY DOES OCCUR.

HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T TALK ABOUT HOW I'D VOTE ON CERTAIN THINGS.

I'M NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO IT.

>> Cathy: SOUNDS LIKE YOU MIGHT BE EVASIVE ON THIS.

>> WELL, HERE'S WHAT I WOULD SAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE WAR IN IRAN THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY HAVE TO BE MORE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE OBJECTIVES ARE.

I BELIEVE WE CAN'T WALK AWAY WITH IRAN AND LEAVE IT IN SHAMBLES LIKE AFGHANISTAN.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IRAN NEVER GETS A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE THE BIGGEST SPONSORS OF TERRORISM ACROSS THE WORLD.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE MAKE SURE THAT THE STRAITS OF HORMUZ REMAINS OPEN, THEY DON'T END UP CONTROLLING IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.

THAT'S HOW WE NEED TO EXECUTE THIS CONFLICT AND I'M LOOKING FOR THE SECRETARY AND THE PRESIDENT TO BE MORE CLEAR ON THAT.

>> Cathy: OKAY, SO DO YOU THINK HEGSETH IS DOING A GOOD JOB?

>> I DON'T HAVE AN OPINION ON WHETHER HE'S DOING A GOOD JOB OR BAD JOB.

I'M SAYING WE HAVE NOT HAD A CLEAR MESSAGE COMING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ON WHAT'S GOING TO BRING THIS CONFLICT TO AN END.

>> Mary: QUICKLY.

>> PETE HEGSETH HELPED GET US INTO THIS MESS SO I DON'T THINK WE CAN TRUST HIM TO GET OUT OF IT.

>> LAST QUESTION, KIND OF A FUN ONE.

CONGRESS DID ACT ON NCAA REFORM FOR ATHLETES AS AN NCAA DIVISION ONE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER, YOU KNOW I'M KIND OF GLANCING AT MY NCAA ATHLETE, TEXAS WAS UP 1-0 LAST TIME I CHECKED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE BILL?

DOES CONGRESS HAVE ANY BUSINESS WEIGHING INTO COLLEGE SPORTS?

>> IT DOES IN THE FACT THAT RIGHT NOW THE ULES IN COLLEGE SPORTS ARE BEING WRITTEN BY THE COURTS.

AND THE NCAA IS LOOKING FOR CONGRESS TO DO SOME THINGS TO ALLOW IT TO CONTROL NIO MONEY.

>> Mary: NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS.

>> YES.

AS A COLLEGE SPORTS FAN I'M FRUSTRATED WITH HOW THE PORTAL IS WORKING.

>> Mary: TRANSFER PORTAL.

>> WE NEED TO GIVE THE NCAA TO MANAGE THEMSELVES AND NOT ALLOW THE COURTS TO DO THIS ON THEIR BEHALF.

>> Cathy: IS THIS OMETHING CONGRESS NEEDS TO WEIGH IN ON?

>> I THINK IT'S DEEPLY UNFAIR YOU DIDN'T GET TO AKE MONEY WHEN YOU PLAYED D1 FOOTBALL.

>> Mary: AND AS A MAYOR YOU SHOWED UP TO ALL THE GAMES, I'LL GIVE YOU SPORTS CREDIT.

>> HERE'S THE DEAL, I THINK THESE ATHLETES PUT THEIR BODIES ON THE LINE, I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE CAPS OKAY IN, WHATEVER THEY CAN MAKE IN COLLEGE DOING WHAT THEY THREE DO AND LOVE BEST THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO AND THERE SHOULD BE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THAT.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

WELL, NOW TO THE LEGISLATURE AND ANOTHER IMPORTANT RACE TO WATCH.

THIS WEEK IT'S A WO-FER, A TARGETED HOUSE AND SENATE SEAT BUT IT'S THE HOUSE DISTRICT THAT'S OPEN IN A PICTURESQUE AREA WHERE INDEPENDENT VOTERS SPLIT THEIR TICKETS.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> Mary: THIS RACE TO WATCH TAKES US BACK TO THE HASTINGS AREA TO HOUSE DISTRICT 41B, AN OPEN SEAT WE'VE FEATURED BEFORE.

>> I'M JEN FOX, I'M RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE.

>> DEMOCRAT JEN FOX RETURNS DETERMINED TO WIN THIS TIME AROUND, AND FFORDABILITY IS A NEW SSUE FOR THE DOWNTOWN BREWERY OWNER.

>> WE ALSO HAVE JUST A REALLY BIG AFFORDABILITY CRISIS ALL OVER THE NATION BUT ALL OVER MINNESOTA.

AND THERE ARE VERY IMPORTANT WAYS THAT WE CAN WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER, WORKING WITH EVERYBODY AT THE CAPITOL TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: WHAT DOES AFFORDABILITY LOOK LIKE HERE SPECIFICALLY IN THE DISTRICT?

>> YEAH, A LOT OF MY CONVERSATIONS END UP BEING ABOUT DECIDING BETWEEN GROCERIES AND CHILDCARE.

>> MY NAME S WILLIAM BECK, I'M RUNNING FOR MINNESOTA HOUSE.

>> REPUBLICAN WILLAN BECK IS A NEW CANDIDATE AS A LAB TECH, FORMER TEACHER AND CHURCH YOUTH LEADER WHO'S ALSO TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABILITY.

>> THINGS ARE EXPENSIVE HERE, WE KNOW THERE'S AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS NATIONWIDE BUT YOU LOOK AT MINNESOTA COMPARED TO SURROUNDING STATES IT'S WORSE HERE, HOUSING COSTS MORE, CHILDCARE COSTS MORE AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAX BURDENS IN THE NATION.

THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: NOT A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ARE TAKING THAT HEAD ON, WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT ON?

>> WELL, IT AFFECT ME.

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE BY THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MY AGE AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUY A HOUSE.

>> REPUBLICAN TOM DIPPEL WON BY ABOUT 500 VOTES.

HE'S NOW SEEKING TO UNSEAT D.F.L.

SENATOR JUDY SEEBERGER WHO WON BY AN EVEN SLIMMER MARGIN JUST OVER 300 VOTES IN THE LARGER ENATE DISTRICT 41.

>> HER RESPONSE WAS I DON'T TALK TO SENATORS.

>> THE DECISION TO RUN IN A DOUBLY TARGETED DISTRICT DOES NOT COME LIGHTLY.

>> WHEN SPEAKER HORTMAN WAS TRYING TO GET ME TO RUN THE FIRST TIME, I SAID MADAM SPEAKER I THINK YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LIKE ME IN YOUR CAUCUS, I'M GOING TO BE A HEADACHE, I'M GOING TO VOTE THE FOR THE DISTRICT.

AND SHE SAID I THINK YOU CONVINCED YOUR TO RUN AND SHE'S NOT WRONG.

>> AND YOU STILL WANT TO RUN EVEN AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?

>> YOU HAVE TO LET YOUR HOPE IN ALONG WITH YOUR DESPAIR.

AND CARRIES AND WE NEED TO FIND HOPE IN OUR POLICIES, HOPE IN OUR POLITICIANS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE WORLD FEELS HEAVY.

>> Mary: HOW MUCH FEELS NATIONAL, HOW MUCH FEELS LOCAL?

>> A LOT OF IT'S NATIONAL AND IN FACT PEOPLE'S FIRST REACTION WHEN I TALK TO THEM THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT NATIONAL ISSUES AND I EMPATHIZE WITH A LOT OF THE NATIONAL ISSUES.

THE PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNED ON NO NEW WARS, MAKING THINGS AFFORDABLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY MY AGE DON'T THINK HE'S FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH THAT.

SO I EMPATHIZE WITH THAT BUT I REMIND PEOPLE LOOK AT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

IT'S BEEN MISMANAGED QUITE A BIT OVER THE LAST DECADE HERE.

AND THERE'S A LOT THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

WE HAVE THE FRAUD ISSUE WHICH IS LUGE, POLITICIANS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE BY THE WAY, SAW THE WARNING SIGNS AND CHOSE NOT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> Mary: EVER SINCE REDISTRICTING THIS RIVER TOWN OF HASTINGS HOUSE SEAT HAS GONE REPUBLICAN BUT IT'S BEEN CLOSE, JUST HUNDREDS OF VOTES HAVE DECIDED EACH TIME.

DEMOCRATS SAY THIS TIME IT WILL BE DIFFERENT.

>> I WAS ON HASTINGS CITY COUNCIL FOR A WHILE AND I OWN SPIRAL BREWERY SO I BRING A PRETTY PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO MAKING POLICY DECISIONS, SO I WOULD LOVE YOUR SUPPORT NOW I'M STARTING TO HEAR REAL POLICY ISSUE AT THE DOORS AND THAT'S REALLY FUN BECAUSE THEN WE HAVE VERY ROBUST CONVERSATIONS.

THE OTHER TIMES WE WERE KNOCKING AT THOSE DOORS THEY WERE LIKE, HEY, IT'S JUNE, WE'RE NOT READY IT YET.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A SENSE OF CALM.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE IT'S NOT A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, WE'RE NOT HAVING THIS CHAOS AND CRISIS EVERY WEEKEND OR EVERY WEEK WITH DIFFERENT NEWS STORIES COMING OUT ABOUT THAT ELECTION.

SO THIS FEELS A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE OUR ELECTION.

WE REALLY GET TO SPEAK FOR MINNESOTA AND WE REALLY GET TO SPEAK FOR 41B AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL ALTER OUR FUTURE.

>> I USED TO BE A TEACHER.

I HAVE TWO KIDS AND REALLY RUNNING FOR THEIR FUTURE.

WANT TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE, HOLD THE FRAUDSTERS ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE OUR SCHOOLS BETTER.

ARE THOSE THINGS THAT STAND OUT TO YOU?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN ST.

PAUL.

AND THAT'S NOT BECAUSE OF IGNORANCE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THERE ARE A LOT OF BACKROOM DEALS MADE IN ST.

PAUL, BUDGET DEALS NEGOTIATED IN THE DARK.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT, I THINK PEOPLE HAVE -- SHOULD BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.

SO I'M NOT AN AUTOMATIC YES OR ANY OF THOSE BACKROOM DEALS REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY THEY'RE COMING FROM.

I THINK TRANSPARENCY'S IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO OMNIBUS BILLS, I'M NOT A FAN OF THOSE.

JUST AS MANY OF THE LEGISLATORS THEMSELVES DO NOT GET TO READ THEM.

I THINK THE SENATE SIDE IS GETTING MORE ATTENTION THAN THE HOUSE SIDE IT.

I'M NOT BITTER ABOUT IT, I'M STILL GETTING TO TALK TO A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TOO.

>> BECK SERVED ON CITY COUNCIL AS DOES BECK'S SPOUSE >> THIS DISTRICT IS SUCH A SWING DISTRICT.

WE ARE WORKING REALLY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS KNOW THAT THEY HAVE AN OPTION WHO'S RUNNING FOR HOUSE, THAT REALLY WANTS TO REPRESENT WHAT OUR VIEWS ARE AND WHO OUR NEEDS ARE AND WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THOSE GOALS ACHIEVED AND TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR VOICES ARE BROUGHT UP THERE BECAUSE I WANT TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT REPRESENTS OUR DISTRICT AND VOTES FOR OUR DISTRICT.

>> DID YOU THINK THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN WITH THE PREVIOUS REPRESENTATION?

>> YOU KNOW, FOR A WHILE IT HASN'T HAPPENED.

AND I THINK OUR VOTERS ARE FINALLY FIGURING OUT THAT WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN OFFICE WE COULD GET SOME REALLY IMPORTANT WORK DONE, LIKE ACCESS TO CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE DRINKING WATER.

>> THE PEOPLE OF HASTINGS DIDN'T POLLUTE THE WATER, I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO CLEAN IT UP.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A PRIORITY FOR ME TO GET THAT FUNDING.

I THINK IT IS A PURPLE DISTRICT.

WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO SPLIT THEIR TICKETS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE RESULTS.

WE'LL SEE.

I THINK THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WE'VE MADE ALONG THE WAY REALLY HELP.

AND WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN PULL IT OFF IN NOVEMBER.

♪ ♪ >> Cathy: SECOND DEBATE THIS EVENING WE'RE WELCOMING LEADING CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

CHALLENGER, REPUBLICAN TAD JUDE WHO IS WHO HAS SERVED IN BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND IS A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE IS HERE.

HE FACES OFF AGAINST INCUMBENT D.F.L.

SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON CURRENTLY IN HIS THIRD TERM.

GENTLEMEN, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

JUST A REMINDER THE FORMAT, PRETTY TYPICAL FOR "ALMANAC" DEBATE.

WE DON'T HAVE THE IMED RESPONSES, DON'T HAVE THE OPENING STATEMENTS, NO PODIUM, STOPWATCHES, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT INTO FORCED FORMALITY.

WE REALLY WANT TO HAVE A FRANK, OPEN, ENGAGING CONVERSATION.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT HERE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU!

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Cathy: SECRETARY SIMON, WE'RE LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY FROM ELECTION DAY AND I THINK THERE'S STILL SOME LINGERING FEARS AMONG MINNESOTANS WHETHER THEIR MAILIN BALLOT WILL GET TO THE COUNTY ELECTION OFFICES, MIGHT THERE BE I.C.E.

AGENTS AT POLLING PLACES.

AND I'M WONDERING WHAT IS THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO AND HOW ARE YOU PLANNING FOR SOMETHING?

>> I HAVE TWO GOALS FOR THIS ELECTION, HIGH TURNOUT AND LOW DRAMA.

HIGH TURNOUT IS A PRETTY GOOD BET, THIS IS MINNESOTA, ALMOST ALWAYS NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY.

LOW DRAMA IS ON A LOT OF US.

AND YOU MENTIONED A COUNTY ITEMS.

THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION I'VE GOTTEN OVER THE LAST TEN MONTHS EVERYWHERE, NOT JUST TWIN CITIES, IS SOME VERSION OF WHAT HAPPENS IF WE HAVE I.C.E.

T THE POLLING PLACE?

AND THERE'S REAL ANXIETY OUT THERE.

WHAT I TELL PEOPLE ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE, ONE, WE HAVE GOOD LAWS ON WHAT CAN BE AT A POLLING PLACE AND WHAT THEY CAN DO OR SAY THERE.

AND NUMBER TWO IN MINNESOTA YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO A POLLING PLACE.

WE HAVE THREE OPTIONS TO VOTE.

ONLY ONE IS POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY, THE OTHER OF COURSE IS VOTING BY MAIL OR EARLY VOTING.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ANYTHING STRANGE HAPPENING ON ELECTION DAY OR PRIOR TO IT >> YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO GET OUT AND VOTE, WHETHER IT BE BY MAIL, EARLY VOTING OR GET OUT ON ELECTION DAY.

AND I KNOW THERE ARE SCARE STORIES OUT THERE AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK A LITTLE BIT OF IT'S PARANOIA, BUT, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT OF IT IS SOMETHING THAT'S COMMON SENSE TOO, SO I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE FREE, FAIR, SECURE ELECTIONS.

AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S VOTE WHETHER BE IT IN HENNEPIN COUNTY OR KANDIYOHI COUNTY OR OUT IN, YOU KNOW, KOOCHICHING COUNTY, THEY ALL ARE CREATED THE SAME.

AND HEY ALL WEIGH THE SAME.

>> Cathy: AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WE NEED TO HAVE FREE, FAIR, AND SECURE ELECTIONS.

CAN YOU MAKE THE CASE FOR US THAT THE MINNESOTA SYSTEM LACKS INTEGRITY?

DO YOU THINK IT LACKS INTEGRITY?

>> WELL, WE JUST HAD TEN PEOPLE DIETED FOR VOTING ILLEGALLY.

THEY'RE FOREIGN NATIONALS AND THEY WERE INDICTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR VOTING ILLEGALLY LAST WEEK.

AND I THINK ONE ILLEGAL VOTE IS ONE TOO MANY.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO HAVE GAPS IN OUR LAW, AND I HOLD SECRETARY OF SIMON RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THEM.

WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, NO PHOTO I.D.

FOR EXAMPLE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: YEAH, WE'LL TAKE THAT UP.

FIRST OF ALL, HOLDING YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR GAPS IN THE LAW AND THOSE TEN DIMES, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THOSE ON.

-- INDICTMENTS, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THOSE ON.

>> FIRST OF ALL, ANYONE BREAKING ELECTION LAW NEED TO BE BROUGHT O JUSTICE, AND THEY WERE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

WE PROVIDED DATA AND INFORMATION THAT LED TO CHARGES BEING BROUGHT.

NUMBER TWO -- >> Mary: AND ALL OF THOSE WERE LEGITIMATE, YOU WERE COOPERATING WITH AND YOU THINK THOSE WERE LEGITIMATE INDICTMENTS?

>> WELL, WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS, PROSECUTORS DO, IN TERMS OF WHAT WE SAW WE HANDED OVER THE DATA.

WHILE ONE IS ONE TOO MANY, WE AGREE ON THAT, EVEN IF ALL EN OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE CONVICTED, OUR RATE OF ACCURATELY AND HONESTY IN OUR SYSTEM EVEN IF THEY'RE CONVICTED IS 999.9999% ACCURATE, FOUR 9s AFTER THE DECIMAL POINT, THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

IF SOMEONE TOLD YOU IN A JOB OR SKILL OR HOBBY THAT WOULD BE YOUR ACCURACY, THEY WOULD SAY THAT'S REALLY GOOD, >> Cathy: HERE'S SOME VIEWERS SAYING, OKAY, TEN PEOPLE, FOREIGN NATIONALS HAT, RAISES QUESTIONS, DOESN'T IT?

>> SURE, YEAH, AND EVERYONE SHOULD ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.

BUT WE HAVE SO MANY SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER ELECTIONS IN MINNESOTA THAT REALLY GET TO THE HEART OF THE SECURITY ISSUES.

AND I'D STACK UP OUR RECORD AGAINST ANY OTHER STATE.

OUR SECURITY MEASURES IN MINNESOTA ARE SO GOOD THAT ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, A REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE SAID HE COPIED AND PASTED AND PASSED THEM TO LAW IN HIS STATE.

>> WELL, WE'RE RATED 45TH OUT OF 50 STATES BY THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION IN TERMS OF ELECTION SECURITY AND INTEGRITY.

NOW, WHAT ARE THE REASONS WE'RE RATED SO LOW?

NUMBER ONE, WE DON'T HAVE PHOTO I.D.

WHICH I AM FOR TO GO VOTE.

I THINK THAT'S -- >> VOTERS DID REJECT THAT ON THE BALLOT HERE.

>> WELL, I REMEMBER THE VOTE.

>> YEAH.

>> AND, YOU KNOW, THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN MINNESOTA TO THE POINT WHERE WE'VE DEVELOPED A LITTLE BIT OF A FRAUD CULTURE, PARTICULARLY IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHICH THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS ON, IN FACT, SECRETARY OF STATE IS HERE, BEEN HERE FOR 12 YEARS AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

THEY HAVE BEEN NOWHERE TO BE FOUND WHEN ALL THE FRAUD GOING ON IN MINNESOTA.

THEY'VE BEEN MISSING IN ACTION, THEY DON'T HAVE A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW FROM GOVERNOR WALZ, THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE OF VIEWPOINT, NO DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING, BUT THEY'VE HAD LEGISLATIVE REPORTS THAT HAVE RAISED RED FLAGS ABOUT FRAUD IN STATE GOVERNMENT, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S NOT BEEN AROUND.

THEY'RE NOT DOING ITS JOB.

>> I JUST NEED TO AG OFF OF ONE THING.

I GOT TO CORRECT SOMETHING.

SO, YES, HERITAGE FOUNDATION IS GOING TO SAY WHAT IT SAYS, IT HAS A CONSERVATIVE BIAS AND THAT'S OKAY, THEY'RE ENTITLED TO THAT.

I GOT A BETTER RATING.

M.I.T.

EVERY TWO YEARS PUTS OUT SOMETHING IT CALLS THE ELECTION PERFORMANCE INDEX.

TOTALLY NONPARTISAN, IT JUDGES STATES BASED ON 19 OR 20 CRITERIA HAVING TO DO WITH BOTH ACCESS AND SECURITY.

I HAVE TO EMPHASIZE THAT.

MINNESOTA THIS YEAR IS NUMBER ONE IN AMERICA AND BY THE WAY THE TEST OF WHETHER IT'S FAIR AND ACCURATE AND NOT PARTISAN IS OTHER HIGH ACHIEVING STATES INCLUDE NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, WITH REPUBLICAN SECRETARIES OF STATE, SO WE'RE NUMBER ONE IN AMERICA BASED ON A SAMPLING OF 19 OR 20 DIFFERENT CRITERIA THAT REALLY COVER THE WATERFRONT AND I'M PROUD OF THAT.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE ISSUE OF FRAUD, THOUGH?

YOUR OPPONENT IS BRINGING UP FRAUD AND TYING YOU TO IT AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

DID YOU HAVE ANY ROLE ON THE COUNCIL TO UP THE SEEN IN FRAUD IS T?

>> NO, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DOES THINGS LIKE VOTES ON MINERAL LEASES AND BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO, NO, THERE'S NO ROLE IN THAT.

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT ARNE CARLSON SAYS.

ARNE CARLSON SAYS THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE YEARS AGO WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR FIRST RAISED THE RED FLAGS.

THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR HAD THESE WARNINGS OUT, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS BEEN MISSING IN ACTION.

YOU HAVE BEEN MISSING IN ACTION ON THAT.

AND NOBODY HAS HELD GOVERNOR WALZ ACCOUNTABLE.

I MEAN, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE MESS THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE A CULTURE OF FRAUD IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> Cathy: BUT AS SECRETARY OF STATE IF YOU WERE TO SAY DEFEAT SECRETARY SIMON, I MEAN, WHAT ROLE WOULD YOU PLAY, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M -- SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SEEMS -- >> WELL, YOU'D HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION, DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VIGOROUS, ROBUST STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVEN'T HAD THAT.

I MEAN, THAT'S WHY WE NEED CHANGE AND HAT'S WHY WE NEED CHANGE IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ECURITY ON ELECTIONS.

WE'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY THAT HAS ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION WITHOUT PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.

WE'RE THE ONLY STATE OUT OF 50 THAT DOES NOT HAVE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS WITH ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.

THE BALLOT GOES IN THE BOX AND IS COUNTED AND THEN YOU CHECK WHETHER SOMEONE IS ELIGIBLE.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.

>> MINNESOTA IS EXEMPT FROM THAT BY FEDERAL LAW.

PROVISIONAL BALLOTS, THERE ARE A HUNDRED VARIETIES OF IT, IT'S LIKE SAYING I DRIVE A VEHICLE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.

AND WHAT ROVISIONAL BALLOTS MEANS IN MOST STATES IS IT'S A WAY THIS VOTER WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE REGISTERED AND SHOWED UP ON ELECTION DAY ON A NON-SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION STATE COULD VOTE BUT WE DON'T NEED IT BECAUSE WE HAVE SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION.

LET ME GIVE AN EXAMPLE.

LET'S SAY IN AUGUST YOU WERE STROLLING AROUND A COMMUNITY FESTIVAL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS CAME UP WITH A CLIPBOARD AND SAID, HEY, DO YOU WANT TO SIGN UP FOR OTER REGISTRATION DRIVE, YOU DO, AND SHOW UP TO THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY AND YOU'RE NOT ON THE LIST.

MOST STATES THAT DON'T HAVE SAME DAY ARE OT ON THE BALLOTS, BECAUSE WE HAVE SAME DAY REGISTRATION, YOU SAY REGISTER ME RIGHT HERE.

JUST TO LEVEL SET, WHAT IS VOTER REGISTRATION.

SOMETIMES THIS GETS THROWN AROUND AND WE DON'T DEFINE TERMS.

IT MEANS TWO COMMONSENSE THINGS, TO HAVE SHOW YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE AND YOU LIVE WHERE YOU SAY YOU LIVE WITH DOCUMENTS.

THE DIFFERENCE IN MINNESOTA WE'VE NEVER LIMITED TO THAT ONLY ONE THING, JUST A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO I.D.

WE HAVE A LONG AND FLEXIBLE LIST OF THINGS THAT YOU CAN USE AND THAT SERVED US VERY, VERY WELL.

>> Mary: DO YOU OPPOSE SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION?

>> I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.

>> ND NOT SAME DAY?

>> -- WHAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BE IN MINNESOTA, YOU NEED TO BE 18, NEED TO BE A MINNESOTA RESIDENT, YOU NEED TO BE A LEGAL U.S.

CITIZEN, IMPORTANTLY, YOU NEED TO BE ALIVE.

YOU KNOW, THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL, THEY HAVE TRUST IN THE VOTE AND WHAT'S WHAT I'LL DO S SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> Mary: WITH SAME DAY?

I'M SORRY, I DON'T KNOW IF I HEARD AN ANSWER.

DO YOU WANT SAME DAY REGISTRATION OR NOT?

>> SAME DAY REGISTRATION WITH PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD, FINISH YOUR THOUGHT, PLEASE.

>> I JUST SEE WHERE WE NEED TO TRUST THE VOTE BUT WE ARE THE ONLY STATE THAT HAS SAME DAY REGISTRATION OUT -- SIMON, YOU KNOW, SECRETARY SIMON ASK A LITTLE SLIPPERY HERE, HE SAYS WELL, WE HAVE AN EXCEPTION FROM THE VOTER RIGHTS ACT.

THAT'S TRUE, WE HAVE AN EXCEPTION FROM THE VOTER RIGHTS ACT BUT MINNESOTANS STILL NEED TO HAVE THEIR VOTER RIGHTS AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THEY HAVE VOTER RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY FEDERAL LAW.

>> HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS IN MOST STATES WITH PROVISIONAL BALLOTS, IT PLAINLY AND CLEARLY SHUTS PEOPLE OUT.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS.

NUMBER ONE, SOMEBODY WHO DIDN'T HAVE, SAY AN UPDATED DRIVER'S LICENSE WHO JUST MOVED IN OCTOBER DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO UPDATE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE, DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A UTILITY BILL, RIGHT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO THREE DAYS LATER EITHER OR FOUR DAYS LATER, RIGHT?

PLUS A LOT OF PEOPLE SELF-SELECT OUT BECAUSE ALL THE RACES HAVE BEEN CALLED.

SOMEONE WHO'S TOLD IN MOST PROVISIONAL BALLOT PLACES, HEY, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO PUT YOUR BALLOT IN THE MAYBE PILE, MAYBE WE'LL COUNT IT, MAYBE WE WON'T, IN MOST OF THE STATES THEY'RE TOLD COME BACK THREE OR FOUR DAYS LATER, GO TO THE COUNTY, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE MIGHT MEAN TAKING A HANDFUL DAY OFF FROM WORK, IT DOESN'T, SHUTS OUT THOUSANDS OF OTERS AND THAT'S NOT OUR CULTURE IN MINNESOTA IN.

>> Cathy: LET'S GO BACK TO THE PHOTO I.D.

AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LOT OBVIOUSLY.

IF YOU WERE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD YOU GO FOR THE LEGISLATURE -- AS MARY SAID THIS WAS REJECTED BY VOTERS A FEW YEARS AGO BUT THINGS AS YOU SAY HAVE CHANGED.

COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHY YOU THINK PHOTO I.D.

IS SO IMPORTANT?

>> YOU KNOW, I JUST SEE PHOTO I.D.

AS BEING ESSENTIAL IN MODERN LIFE.

AND IF WE'RE HELPING PEOPLE, GOVERNMENT AN PROVIDE A COMPLIMENTARY OR FREE PHOTO I.D., EVEN GO OUT AND IF SOMEBODY'S DISABLED, MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A PHOTO I.D.

SO THEY CAN PARTICIPATE FULLY IN MODERN LIFE WHETHER IT BE A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION, THERE ARE MANY COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION WHETHER YOU HAVE SHOVEL SNOW IN NEW YORK CITY YOU NEED A PHOTO I.D., IF YOU GO TO A D.F.L.

CONVENTION, YOU NEED A PHOTO I.D.

THERE ARE MANY PLACES YOU NEED TO HAVE A PHOTO I.D.

WHETHER IT BE OLIVE GARDEN OR COSTCO, HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.

BUT TO ENGAGE PEOPLE FULLY IN MODERN LIFE, I THINK'S IMPORTANT THAT GOVERNMENT HELP IN THAT WAY AND THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN DO THAT.

>> Mary: ARGUMENT AGAINST IT?

>> WELL, THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT AND I THINK THE REASON, I WAS THERE WHEN ALL THAT WAS HAPPENING IS IT'S ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES WHERE THE MORE YOU LOOK, THE LESS YOU LIKE.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

WHENEVER I GO TO AN ASSISTED LIVING OR SENIOR LIVING FACILITY I DO A SNAP POLL AND I SAY RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU HAVE A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO I.D.

THAT SHOWS THIS PLACE, NOT WHERE YOU USED TO LIVE, THIS PLACE WHERE WE'RE STANDING IN RIGHT NOW.

I'VE NEVER GOTTEN A 50%, NOT ONE TIME N ALL MY YEARS.

SO THAT'S REAL, OKAY?

THAT'S NOT JUST THEORETICAL AND I THINK MINNESOTANS SAW THAT.

SO, LOOK, IN OUR SYSTEM YOU GOT TO SHOW YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE, YOU LIVE WHERE YOU SAY YOU LIVE BUT THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCE AND THE SECRET TO OUR SUCCESS IS WE HAVE A LONG AND FLEXIBLE LIST OF THINGS YOU CAN USE NOT ONLY, NOT JUST A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO I.D.

YOU CANS USE A UTILITY BILL, YOU CAN HAVE A NEIGHBOR VOUCH FOR YOU.

THOSE ARE THE SECRETS OF OUR SUCCESS AND I HATE TO SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, DESTROYED OR COMPROMISED.

>> Cathy: I'M BETTING VOUCHING IS NOT ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS, RIGHT, JUDGE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, VOUCHING I THINK HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN EASILY ABUSE TOO.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WE GET SUCH A LOW RATING AT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION IS BECAUSE OF VOUCHING FOR 8 PEOPLE OR IT'S -- UNLIMITED UMBER IF YOU HAVE AN INSTITUTION.

NOW, THERE'S NO REASON THAT PEOPLE IN INSTITUTIONS SHOULDN'T BE FULLY ENGAGED IN OUR COMMERCE OR SHOULDN'T BE FULLY ENGAGED IN OUR VOTING, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK GOVERNMENT CAN BE THERE TO HELP AND WE CAN PARTICIPATE -- -- >> Cathy: OKAY, VOUCHING.

>> VOUCH SAYING GODSEND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

TAKE MY DAD FOR EXAMPLE, YEARS AGO MY PARENTS MOVED OUT OF THE HOUSE I GREW UP IN, THEY MOVED TO ANOTHER CITY AND THEY MOVED IN OCTOBER OF AN ELECTION YEAR, THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO UPDATE DRIVER'S LICENSES, DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A UTILITY BILL.

MY DAD COULD NOT HAVE VOTED WITHOUT VOUCHING.

WHAT IS VOUCHING?

IT MEANS YOU'VE GOT TO DRAG WITH YOU TO A POLLING PLACE AN ACTUAL HUMAN BEING WHO'S REGISTERED IN YOUR PRECINCT AND THEY'RE VOUCHING.

THEY'RE NOT VOUCHING THAT YOU'RE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, OR THAT YOU'RE A CITIZEN, IT'S VERY NARROW, ONLY THAT YOU LIVE WHERE YOU SAY YOU LIVE.

AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

IS THAT PERSON LIKE MY DAD WAVED IN NO QUESTIONS ASKED?

ALL OF THE QUESTIONS ARE ASKED.

THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE JUST LIKE WE DID AT ONE TIME , IT'S NOT OFTEN USED, .6% OF OTERS AND OF THOSE NEARLY THREE QUARTERS WERE ALREADY IN THE SYSTEM, PEOPLE LIKE MY DAD, THEY JUST MOVED FROM PLACE TO PLACE.

MY OPPONENT VOTED FOR IT 1973 AND SIX TIMES AFTER THAT.

>> WOW, POLLING YOUR RECORD.

>> MINNESOTA HAS BEEN BUILT ON THE HONOR SYSTEM, WE HAVE.

UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE RUN INTO FRAUDSTERS, WE'VE RUN INTO A SITUATION WHERE WE DON'T HAVE THE TRUST THAT WE -- I TRUST BUT VERIFY, I THINK WE EED TO DO THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY WITH VOUCHING YOUR BALLOT GOES IN THE BOX, IT'S COUNTED.

WE'VE HAD LEGISLATIVE RACES DECIDED BY 14 VOTES.

THEY HAD A LEGISLATIVE RACE DECIDED BY 14 VOTES TWO YEARS AGO, THEY COULDN'T FIND 21 BALLOTS.

THEY COULDN'T FIND 21 BALLOTS.

>> I GOT TO WEIGH IN.

>> THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> Mary: THIS WENT TO COURT THOUGH.

>> I HAVE TO WEIGH IN ON THE HONOR SYSTEM BIT.

I WOULD SAY THE EXACT OPPOSITE IS TRUE.

ALTERNATIVES TO VOUCHING ARE THE HONOR SYSTEM?

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DO IN SOUTH DAKOTA IN THAT CASE LIKE MY DAD?

HEY, I MOVED TWO WEEKS AGO, I DON'T HAVE THE STUFF, HE SIGNS AN AFFIDAVIT SAYING I REALLY LIVE AT THIS ADDRESS.

IF ANYTHING IS AN HONOR SYSTEM, IT'S NONVOUCHING STATES.

HERE YOU GOT TO DRAG AN ACTUAL HUMAN WITH YOU TO THE POLLING PLACE.

THAT'S NOT THE HONOR SYSTEM.

>> Mary: WE HAVE QUICK QUIRKY QUESTIONS IF YOU WERE WATCHING EARLIER, YOU MAY HAVE A HAT TIP ON THIS.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST THAT YOU'RE LISTENING TO?

>> I >> I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME COMING UP WITH THAT, BUT I DO LISTEN TO PODCASTS FROM NEW YORK TIMES.

>> Mary: OKAY, NEW YORK TIMES PODCAST, JOURNALISTS LIKE THAT, THAT GETS CREDIT.

>> I GOT TO GO POLITICAL AND NONPOLITICAL.

A POLITICAL ONE I LIKE THESE DAYS IS HACKS ON TAP, DAVID AXELROD AND REPUBLICAN MIKE MURPHY, THAT'S A GOOD POLITICAL ONE.

AND NONPOLITICAL I LIKE AMY POHLER'S, GOOD HANG.

>> Cathy: Y'ALL HAVE BEEN CAMPAIGNING ACROSS THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA, YOUR FAVORITE SMALL TOWN YOU VISITED RECENTLY.

>> WELL, I WAS -- BEEN TO A LOT OF SMALL TOWNS AND I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD SAY ANY -- OR THE FAVORITE.

BUT CERTAINLY LE CRESCENT, I THINK WHEN WE WENT DOWN THERE WAS A VERY INTERESTING SMALL TOWN, BEAUTIFUL VISTAS AND APPLES.

>> YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

>> LOT OF GREAT APPLES.

>> I GOT TO GO WITH GRAND MARAIS.

ANY EXCUSE I HAVE TO GET ON THE NORTH SHORE AND ABOUT THREE WEEKS GO I WAS THERE SPEAK TO GO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL.

>> Mary: OKAY, FAVORITE THING YOU'RE WATCHING ACTUALLY ON TELEVISION.

NOT STREAMING, ACTUALLY ON TELEVISION.

>> Cathy: TRADITIONAL OVER THE AIR.

>> TO ME IT'S SPORTS.

TO ME IT'S, YOU KNOW, I'M INTO VIKINGS SEASON.

>> Mary: CAN I CHECK MY GAME HERE?

YEAH, 2-0.

>> WELL, I'D SAY I'M A SUCKER FOR HISTORIC TV SERIES.

AND PERRY MASON.

I LOVE PERRY MASON.

>> Mary: WELL THAT, FITS WITH YOUR PROFESSION, DOESN'T IT?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, I WAS A JUDGE OF COURSE AND, YEAH.

I ENJOY -- >> Mary: I GUESS THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE WANTED TO ASK TOO, BOTH OF YOU, WHY THE HECK WOULD YOU WANT TO LEAVE THAT JOB?

>> WELL, IT'S A SITUATION WHERE I'VE BEEN ACTUALLY PART OF ALL THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, WHETHER IT BE THE JUDICIAL OR THE LEGISLATIVE OR I WAS A HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR A WHILE.

AND I THINK THAT UALIFIES ME WELL TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> Mary: WHY WOULD THAT BE BETTER HAN BEING A JUDGE?

ISN'T THAT SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST JOB IN PUBLIC SERVICE?

>> I ENJOYED BEING A JUDGE.

I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD BE ANY PUBLIC SERVICE OVER 10, 12 YEARS.

>> Mary: OKAY, AND ON THE FLIP SIDE, PEOPLE LIKED YOU IN THE HOUSE, YOU SEEMED TO BE GOOD AT BEING A REP, WHY SECRETARY OF STATE, DO YOU HAVE YOUR EYE ON ANYTHING ELSE?

WHY THIS OFFICE AGAIN?

>> LOOK, TO ME I WAS ALWAYS INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATURE AND DEMOCRACY SSUES BECAUSE I SAW THEM CONNECTED TO EVERY OTHER ISSUE.

MEANING I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR FAVORITE ISSUE IS, SCHOOLS, ROADS, CIVIL RIGHTS, ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE BALLOT BOX AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE ELECTION SYSTEM UNLESS YOU HAVE A SYSTEM THAT HAS A HIGH DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE AND WE HAVE THAT IN MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE SHOULD BE NONPARTISAN?

>> THINK HAVING IT BE AN OFFICE THAT YOU RUN FOR AND EVEN WITH PARTISAN DESIGNATION IS HELPFUL TO VOTERS.

BUT THE ESSENTIAL THING IS THAT WHEN YOU GET THERE YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR POLITICS AT THE DOOR.

YOU HAVE TO BE INDEPENDENT, YOU HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LET THE POLITICAL CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE THE LEGISLATURE WAS NONPARTISAN.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO YOU DIDN'T RUN AS DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.

AND THE COMPLAINT WAS EVERYBODY AGREED.

EVERYBODY FOUND A SOLUTION.

NOW, WHEN YOU HAVE PARTISAN ELECTIONS, YOU HAVE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

NOW, I THINK THAT'S ESSENTIAL ON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO HAVE A VIGOROUS STATE GOVERNMENT.

SO I THINK YOU DO NEED TO HAVE SOME PARTISANSHIP.

HOWEVER, I WILL BE NONPARTISAN AS SECRETARY OF STATE RUNNING ELECTIONS.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW SECRETARY SIMON WAS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HAVING ELECTION JUDGES FOR EARLY VOTING.

I AM FOR HAVING PARTIES HAVE ELECTION JUDGES FOR EARLY VOTING.

>> Mary: BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME.

QUICK LAST QUESTION, YOUR OPPONENT IS RUNNING ON THE FLAG, OLD FLAG?

COULD THE PROCESS HAVE BEEN BETTER?

>> I WILL SAY THE KEY THING HERE IS THE MINNESOTA, THIS OFFICE HAS NOTHING, ZERO, ZILCH TO DO WITH THE MINNESOTA STATE FLAG.

I KNOW THAT'S HIS PASSION, MY PASSION IS PROTECTING THE FREEDOM TO VOTE.

BUT OUR OFFICE -- >> Mary: IS THE SEAL BETTER?

PEOPLE LOVE THE SEAL, LIKE THAT LOON SEAL PEOPLE LIKE.

>> THAT IS A COMPLETE LIE.

SECRETARY SIMON.

>> THE SEAL IS GREAT.

>> YOU DEDICATED A BOOK TO THE NEW FLAG.

THIS NEW FLAG IF THIS NEW FLAG I FIASCO YOU PUT OUT THERE, YOU DEDICATED A BOOK TO IT, YOU HAVE A PECIAL SECTION IN OUR BLUE BOOK ON THE STATE FLAG, DO YOU REMEMBER THAT?

>> I KNOW YOU'RE PASSIONATE, I KNOW IT'S YOUR CORE CONVICTION IN THIS RACE.

>> WELL, SPEAK THE TRUTH.

YOU ARE THE ONLY ELECTED OFFICIAL ON THAT COMMISSION.

>> I PREFER TO PUT MY TIME AND ENERGY INTO PROTECTING THE FREEDOM TO VOTE, THAT'S WHAT THIS OFFICE IS ABOUT, THERE IS NO FORMAL ROLE WHATSOEVER -- >> I WOULD RUN FROM IT TOO, STEVE.

>> Mary: WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

WHY IS THE FLAG RELEVANT TO SECRETARY OF STATE'S RACE?

>> I SPENT 12 DAYS AT THE STATE FAIR AND PEOPLE WOULD COME AND DISCUSS HISTORY, THEY WOULD COME AND DISCUSS OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, THEY WOULD DISCUSS THEY HAD NO VOTE, THEY HAD NO VOTE.

YOU SAY YOU'RE FOR DEMOCRACY, YOU DIDN'T HAVE A VOTE ON THE STATE FLAG.

>> Cathy: I AM SENSING THIS COULD BE ITS OWN DEBATE.

>> IT COULD, IT COULD.

>> Cathy: WE HAVE TO WRAP IT UP.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE THIS.

WE'RE GOING TO WRAP THIS NIGHT UP OF DEBATE ON THE COUCH, WE WANT TO THANK STEVE IMON AND TAD JUDE ALONG WITH ERIC PRATT AND MATT LITTLE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION.

TONIGHT.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL HAVE LEAD CANDIDATES FOR MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL JOIN THE PROGRAM.

I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME TIME LEFT OVER FOR SHOW ENDING MUSIC.

REACHING WAY BACK INTO THE ARCHIVES IS A 1982 PERFORMANCE BY MELANIE ROSALES ON THE SHOW "NIGHTTIMES VARIETY."

AND THAT WAS A REAT SHOW BY THE WAY.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪ >> LYRICS: AND I DON'T LEAVE THE HIGHWAYWAY LONG ENOUGH TO BOG DOWN IN A RUT PAY 'CAUSE I'VE GOT RAMBLEIN FEVER IN MY BLOOD.

I CAUGHT THIS RAMBLING FEVER LONG AGO.

WHEN I FIRST HEARD A LONESOME WHISTLE BLOW.

♪ ♪ SOMEONE SAID I EVER GAVE A DAMN, THE DAMN SURE TOLD YOU WRONG.

BECAUSE I'VE HAD RAMBLING FEVER ALL ALONG.

RAMBLING FEVER ... THE KIND THAT CAN BE MEASURED BY DEGREES ... ♪ ♪ RAMBLING FEVER THERE AIN'T NO KIND OF CURE FOR MY DISEASE.

♪ ♪ NOTE ♪ ♪ AND SPEND THE EARLY MORNINGIN DRINKIN' COFFEE ♪ ♪ AND TALKINGIN ABOUT WHEN I'LL BE COMING BACK ... >> "ALMANAC" IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY: DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FOR STATEWIDE.

"ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF MINNESOTA PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.