Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Minnesota State Senate District 42 candidate surveys, 2022
From Ballotpedia
This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Minnesota State Senate District 42 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
- Click here to see candidates and election results.
- Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Minnesota State Senate District 42
Bonnie Westlin defeated Paul Hillen in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 42 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Bonnie Westlin (D) | 57.7 | 23,752 | |
| Paul Hillen (R) | 42.3 | 17,395 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 19 | ||
| Total votes: 41,166 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
| Collapse all
Paul Hillen (R)
I will address the high cost of living. Gas prices are up 60% since last year. Inflation is costing MN families over $830/month. MN has the 5th highest tax collections per person and is ranked near last at 45th out of 50 for business taxes. CNBC gives MN a C- on Cost of Living. I will lessen the burden on families and seniors by working to: (a) reduce state income and gas taxes, (b) eliminate the state income tax on Social Security benefits, (c) return the $9.3 billion state surplus to taxpayers, (d) oppose over-reaching emission standards that could raise the gas price as much as $2 per gallon, and (e) reduce the burdens on businesses to create economic growth, while at the same time stimulating the supply of goods to reduce inflation.
We must reverse the trend of increasing crime and get serious about public safety. Aggravated assaults are up 63%, and car thefts are up 30% statewide since 2019. Crime is creeping into the suburbs, with assaults & car thefts in Plymouth up 47% and 76% respectively. Breaking & entering incidents in Plymouth have increased by 71%. An 18 year old woman was carjacked at Target on Rockford Rd. I will bring a common-sense approach and work to (a) ensure existing laws are enforced, (b) stop arrest and release and no cash bail policies, (c) fully fund and support the police, (d) create a juvenile justice system that teaches kids to be responsible for their actions, and helps get them back on track, and (e) make our schools safe.
Our K-12 public education system is failing too many students and must be fixed. Only 37% of MN’s high schoolers are proficient in math, and only 56% are proficient in reading. Differences in test scores between races in MN is among the highest in the country. Teaching of race & gender ideology is replacing core academics and dividing communities. I will work to (a) create a focus on core academics & evidence-based methods, (b) eliminate political, ideological, & opinion-based curriculum, let’s let parents raise their kids, (c) push for legislative approval of academic standards, and (d) improve equality of opportunity for all students and families by expanding school choice. I will advocate for students and parents.
We must reverse the trend of increasing crime and get serious about public safety. Aggravated assaults are up 63%, and car thefts are up 30% statewide since 2019. Crime is creeping into the suburbs, with assaults & car thefts in Plymouth up 47% and 76% respectively. Breaking & entering incidents in Plymouth have increased by 71%. An 18 year old woman was carjacked at Target on Rockford Rd. I will bring a common-sense approach and work to (a) ensure existing laws are enforced, (b) stop arrest and release and no cash bail policies, (c) fully fund and support the police, (d) create a juvenile justice system that teaches kids to be responsible for their actions, and helps get them back on track, and (e) make our schools safe.
Our K-12 public education system is failing too many students and must be fixed. Only 37% of MN’s high schoolers are proficient in math, and only 56% are proficient in reading. Differences in test scores between races in MN is among the highest in the country. Teaching of race & gender ideology is replacing core academics and dividing communities. I will work to (a) create a focus on core academics & evidence-based methods, (b) eliminate political, ideological, & opinion-based curriculum, let’s let parents raise their kids, (c) push for legislative approval of academic standards, and (d) improve equality of opportunity for all students and families by expanding school choice. I will advocate for students and parents.
Bonnie Westlin (D)
In our community, we believe every person should have the freedom to decide when and if to have a family; to vote for the government they want and deserve; and to marry the preson they love. The extremist GOP agenda would ban abortions in our state, limit the right to vote, and walk back fundamental freedoms like the right to marry. I will work to protect these freedoms for every Minnesotan.
As a single mom, I understand the burdens that higher prices put on our family budgets. We have seen wealthy corporations use the pandemic to engage in price gouging resulting in record profits, while working people struggle to make ends meet. Wealthy corporations need to pay what they owe and contribute to the costs of a high quality public education system, infrastructure and the many other benefits they receive in Minnesota. I will work to make prices more affordable for Minnesotans and help create an economy that works for everyone.
Our schools should have increased funding, higher teacher pay, and more school counselors to support our children. Extremists want to ban books, attack school boards and teachers, and instill extremist ideology in classrooms, driving many good educators away from teaching. I will work to ensure that every child receives a high quality public education that prepares them for success throughout their lifetime.
As a single mom, I understand the burdens that higher prices put on our family budgets. We have seen wealthy corporations use the pandemic to engage in price gouging resulting in record profits, while working people struggle to make ends meet. Wealthy corporations need to pay what they owe and contribute to the costs of a high quality public education system, infrastructure and the many other benefits they receive in Minnesota. I will work to make prices more affordable for Minnesotans and help create an economy that works for everyone.
Our schools should have increased funding, higher teacher pay, and more school counselors to support our children. Extremists want to ban books, attack school boards and teachers, and instill extremist ideology in classrooms, driving many good educators away from teaching. I will work to ensure that every child receives a high quality public education that prepares them for success throughout their lifetime.
Paul Hillen (R)
I am passionate about a system that provides Equal Opportunity for ALL. I believe a foundation built on freedom, democracy, and education can propel an individual to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Children and their parents should have access to a quality school. Quality means preparing the student for the rigors of one’s adult working life. A foundation built on Reading, Math, Sciences - the academic basics - is essential. I am passionate about Democracy. Although Democracy is not always clean and easy, it is the finest form of government. I am passionate about capitalism. The chance to bring one’s talents to the marketplace, providing value for the community and a reward for the business or entrepreneur, drives innovation and lifts the standard of living for all of us. I am passionate about providing a safe community with a high quality of life for my fellow residents and neighbors. This means we must enforce our laws, ensure crimes have consequences, be good stewards of tax dollars, and provide infrastructure and recreational greenspace so we can live our best lives and thrive.
Bonnie Westlin (D)
Protecting our freedoms and our democracy, including access to safe and legal abortion care; gun violence prevention; quality public schools for all of our children; affordable housing and livable wages; reversing the climate crisis; access to affordable healthcare; and public safety that works for everyone.
Paul Hillen (R)
While my parents are no longer alive, I still look up to them and value how I was raised - - to be honest, principled, treat others with respect and kindness, and always work hard. Both of my parents worked hard to provide for our family and taught me life lessons that still serve me well today.
Paul Hillen (R)
Principled. Honest. Good Listener. Hard-working. Collaborator. Good Communicator.
Paul Hillen (R)
Represent their constituents in the senate and advocate for policies that give them a safe community, strong schools, and reasonable cost of living so they can live a high quality of life.
Paul Hillen (R)
I remember my parents waking me up when I was 5 years old to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.
Paul Hillen (R)
I had a newspaper route with my brother when I was 6 years old, and then soon after started my own lawn mowing and snow shoveling business in third grade to earn my own money. I've had a job consecutively since I was 6 years old.
Paul Hillen (R)
They need to have an open and regular relationship. They need to establish regular discussions/meetings to address the big issues facing our state. These meetings need to be substance based and focus on actions and outcomes that serve the people of MN.
Bonnie Westlin (D)
The governor and legislature should work in partnership to advance the policies that will address current and future needs of the people of Minnesota.
Paul Hillen (R)
Rising crime, increased inflation, and improving our education for kids. We must close the achievement gap and improve student proficiency rates in our schools.
Paul Hillen (R)
Unicameral legislatures have the downside of potentially only representing one point of view, which can increase speed of legislation passing, but can also create significant shifts in laws and policies that can hurt in the short term. Bicameral legislatures tend to take longer to pass legislation but can also ensure all points of view are considered.
Paul Hillen (R)
No. Our U.S. and MN state founders set up a representative government, so it does just that, represents the people from their area. I believe we need fewer career politicians and more people with business and career experience outside of politics serving in state legislatures. Long-time and career politicians tend to get insulated from everyday life and fail to represent their constituents, but instead represent their own interests.
Paul Hillen (R)
Yes. Relationships in all walks of life are critical. You can't collaborate with someone well if you don't know and trust them. I have a 36 year business career doing just that - - working effectively with others with whom you don't always agree. However, when you have built a personal relationship, it is much easier to agree.
Paul Hillen (R)
One that fairly represents the political points of view evenly across the district.
Paul Hillen (R)
Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy, Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy, Taxes, Transportation and Finance, Civil Law and Data Practices Policy, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy.
Paul Hillen (R)
N/A
Paul Hillen (R)
N/A
Paul Hillen (R)
Not at this time.
Paul Hillen (R)
I had a discussion with a single mom whose son I coached in youth hockey. I saw her in the parking lot of Cub as I was walking out after shopping, and she was going in. After we quickly caught up she said to me, "Since when did gas and groceries become luxuries?". She said she was really struggling with her mortgage and cost of living expenses. This really hit home for me. We need to give people like her relief from income taxes, gas taxes, and provide supply chain solutions. She then said, "Well, I hope I can afford my groceries, that is if there is anything on the shelf". We can and must do better.
Paul Hillen (R)
Yes, we need to have a balance between the legislature and executive office. I believe the executive needs to be able to grant them for a short period of time, but then the legislature should oversee any extensions beyond the short initial granting of the powers.
Paul Hillen (R)
Both the MN Senate and House of Representatives need to find common ground with the governor to address the key issues of crime, cost of living, and education for Minnesotans.
Bonnie Westlin (D)
Absolutely. And I have developed excellent negotiation skills as an attorney and mediator. It is important that all stakeholders participate in decision-making, in good faith, and that the objective is to serve the people of this State.
See also
More about these elections:
Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:
