Minnesota State Senate District 9 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Minnesota, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Minnesota State Senate District 9 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 9

Jordan Rasmusson defeated Cornel Walker and Nathan Miller in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 9 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jordan Rasmusson (R)	62.7	25,372
		Cornel Walker (D)	28.6	11,560
	Submit photo	Nathan Miller (Independent) (Write-in)	8.1	3,261
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	246

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 40,439
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Cornel Walker (D)

I am running because I got tired of both parties saying no to the other party simply because the idea came from the opposing party. I am running in order to bring Minnesotans together, no matter their party affiliation or what they have to say about a particular issue.

Money should be spent on incentives for farmers and manufacturers that will lead to the production of goods without polluting our rivers, lakes, and air. We need to spend some of the surplus on the training of the underemployed and unemployed.

For young families, we must continue to incentivize the wide availability of quality childcare and preschools with trained staff who require a living wage. Teachers and para-professionals need to receive the pay and respect they deserve. For those who live in long-term care facilities, we must address staffing needs and meet these needs with training for a career in caring for others.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Cornel Walker (D)

Our legislators must make decisions to maintain the quality of life that you, your families, and your communities have come to value. Minnesotans deserve a living wage and a fair tax system. You deserve quality child care and the guarantee of a public education that allows Minnesotans to reach their potential. Our children should feel secure attending school.

You should feel safe in your home and while driving on our streets and county roads. You deserve well-staffed hospitals and clinics. Our assisted living and long-term care facilities should attract residents because of their caring and well-trained staff. Family farmers must be given the ability to thrive.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Cornel Walker (D)

When I learned my trade while a JAG officer, I learned to listen. The most important part of my bringing justice to defendants was to be certain I understood my client, I continued to learn the art of attentive listening throughout my career. These skills became an essential part of my practice as a trained mediator. We must listen and really hear what people are truly saying, and then we must learn to relate to what they need. In my opinion, compromise is an essential part of trying to serve the people of SD 9 and of Minnesota as well as the people of this country.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Cornel Walker (D)

I would like to be known as a trusted servant who brought the voices of the people of SD 9 to the State Senate.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Cornel Walker (D)

Working together to build relationships that will allow compromise for the good of the people of SD 9 and Minnesota. It should be a relationship of compromise and not adversity.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Cornel Walker (D)

To end gridlock. We must work together to create a fair tax system. Law enforcement agencies need additional money with which to train officers in the latest law enforcement techniques, as well as the ability to recruit and retain officers through higher pay and training. Law enforcement staff should be increased in order to allow local law enforcement to meet the needs of the communities they serve. In addition, we need to train and retain mental health and counseling professionals who can assist law enforcement when faced with people who are suffering a mental illness episode, a drug-related episode, and in family dispute matters. We must be a leader in recruiting, training, and maintaining teachers, para-professionals, and healthcare workers and we must have affordable healthcare and prescription drugs.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Cornel Walker (D)

No.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Cornel Walker (D)

Yes. As a trained mediator and experienced trial attorney, the most important thing is to listen and hear what the other side is saying, build trust by always doing what you say you will do, and try to forge small compromises which can lead to larger compromises. Bi-partisanship should be our goal.

See also

More about these elections:

• Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022

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