Candidate Questionnaire: County-Level Races

Hennepin County Attorney

Martha Holton Dimick

Nonpartisan

1. I am aware of the experiences the Asian and Asian American community have had with race-based hate and violence, as well as discrimination. I have spoken with Asian American community members who are afraid that the race-based discrimination will worsen here, as it has in New York and many other cities. All people in Hennepin County should have a seat at the table when we discuss public safety, that is why I think it’s important to involve the Asian community in decision making that impacts their lives or that of their family members. I will work with Asian business leaders and organizations to help keep the community safe, and I will make an intentional effort to employ Asian and Asian American prosecutors who can effectively represent community members who may come through our office. Finally, as County Attorney I will 1) make it clear that racism has no place in our office or in our county, 2) collaborate with Asian American leaders that understand the Asian experience in our state and county, and 3) aggressively pursue charging enhancers whenever a hate crime is suspected.
2. Much of my campaign staff are young people between the ages of 20-27. They are bright and make an effort to connect with the average young voter. They get out into the community and talk to people, while I also make sure to attend forums that include young and diverse voices. We have to listen to the needs and goals of our youth if we’re going to reform safety in our county. They are the leaders of our future.
3. I support measures to expand and protect abortion access in our state. Childbirth is challenging for all women, but women of color have seen the highest frequency of birth complications. I take reproductive rights very seriously as someone who became a mother as a teen. I know how important a person’s right to choose is. I am committed to upholding a woman’s right to choose and will not prosecute someone who is exercising that right.
4. I absolutely support investments into local educational and recreational spaces. Our youth deserve safe environments to play and enrich their learning. I’ve seen many elaborate community centers that offer so many different activities for kids in suburban cities, but we still don’t seem to have enough libraries, community centers and other safe spaces in the inner city. These spaces would be very beneficial for community building with children of color. I have been vocal about the need for more community centers in our most diverse communities and will continue efforts to advocate to the legislature for these investments as County Attorney.
5. I am immunocompromised, so I’ve taken critical steps during the pandemic to keep myself and my loved ones safe. While our involvement with COVID-19 is limited as county attorneys, I will institute policies in my office that prioritize safety and long-term health.

Hennepin County Sheriff

Joseph Banks

Nonpartisan

1. I plan to support the Asian American community by reaching out to Asian American community members to have those tough conversation and find out more about their culture and needs. I want to make sure that Asian Americans have voice at the table as well.
2. My campaign has engaged with young voters and educated them on the importance of getting registered to vote and their voting power. Our plan is to keep engaging with them so they understand that they too have a voice that can make a difference.
3. I do support measures to expand and protect abortion access in Minnesota. I will work with community based organizations to ensure their are safe places available for needed care and that it is culturally responsive for Asian Americans.
4. I do support further investment in parks and community centers for youth. I plan to support Asian and families by bringing cop houses to Hennepin so that the kids will be able to engage with with officers in a none threatening environments, while learning to build trust for both community and law enforcement.
5. The county does already have a robust plan in place and I intend to continue to build upon that plan as we move forward to do the best possible job of keeping the community safe.

Ramsey County Board of Commissioners District 4

Rena Moran

Nonpartisan

1. Asian Hate and Violence, language barriers for the elders esp. when trying to vote, starting and maintaining a small business(mom & pop shops). I am so fortunate to have Asian friends that I have known for years that I can count on to help me be the best advocate I can for the Asian community. Friends in the Legislature, friends who have worked on my campaign, friends who I know their family members well. I lean on them. Through community meetings, forums, invites, I will continue to show up, be part of and advocate for the issues and concerns that will make and keep the Asian community strong, healthy and thriving by removing the barriers.
2. My campaign has always engaged and brought in young leaders from diverse communities. I have always put my leaders in leadership roles and watched them grow, develop and lead. I have learned from them and they have learned from me. It has been a great healthy mutual relationship. As a mother of young adults in the age range above, I know first hand the importance of listening, learning and growing from them and how they engage and encounters work, life, and issues of the day. I also know the importance and values the Asian hold around family. It’s everything. My plan is to continue to engage with the Asian community, young voters and leaders throughout my campaign and throughout my decision making process to ensure I am elevating the wishes, priorities and policies that create the state and world that we all need, want and deserve that comes from the voices of our youth and young adults.
3. Yes, I will support expanding and protecting abortion access and allowing that decision to be a choice for that woman or girl and her family and physician. I have been a strong advocate for comprehensive healthcare and that will continue in my role as the next Ramsey County Commissioner.
4. Yes, yes, yes, you are talking my language! These community spaces have become less and less available to our youth. I will work with you and your members to fight for more open hours, more programming and inviting spaces. For our rec centers I will fight to ensure we have sports, activities and events are free or minimum cost to low income families. Our libraries and recreation center along with our parks should be safe spaces for youth to come and thrive. I will work on your behalf and with you to make this a reality.
5. COVID-19 is here to stay. It will become as common as the flu. Community education is paramount. We need to make sure we are utilizing diverse media, leaders and trusted folks from our diverse communities to be the messengers of the message of the need for everyone to be vaccinated(not everyone trust or want to be vaccinated). I will continue to work toward access to affordable healthcare for everyone that is comprehensive, that allows systems to talk to each others and support bringing in more healthcare professional from our BIPOC communities.

Ramsey County Board of Commissioners District 5

Bill Hosko
Nonpartisan

1. Crime has become commonplace, and the public is expected to live with it. I, a non-partisan candidate and small business owner for 32-years, am challenging the 28-year incumbent. If elected, declining public safety and ever-growing crime rates and local politicians now often picking and choosing which laws will be enforced will be addressed ‘In Our First 90 Days’. During its planning process in 2007-2011 I warned the incumbent that building ‘honor-system’ light rail in Saint Paul would create problems. Since opening in 2014, thousands have been impacted by crime aboard Green Line light rail and on its platforms and in surrounding businesses. He’s refused to discuss installing fences and gates, as most cities have, which would reduce crime massively. During the May 2020 riots, the incumbent stayed silent, as hundreds of businesses were attacked for two days as he lived safely in a downtown high-rise behind gates, heavy steel and glass doors with 24-hour security.
2. During my campaign, I expect to visit every block in this large, sprawling district by election day and am meeting many younger people along the way. Currently, truly authentic public outreach remains uncommon. If elected, people will continue seeing me around the district often. Also, weekly, my staff and I will have an insightful, interesting in-person and live-streamed ‘People and Press Conference’. All ages – will be an important part of them. Over the years, the incumbent stayed silent as important gathering events for all ages that brought us together and created good will such as Taste of Minnesota and our July 4th Capitol Mall Fireworks were shut down. If I am elected, these and other events will be restored – along with their original authenticity! Perhaps you may align with the Democratic party, or Republican, or you lean Green Party, or Libertarian. At the local level, in this race, with the ongoing issues we face, am I truly ‘100% Independent and Non-Partisan’? Absolutely. I am not backed by any special interests nor the establishment that glosses things over, keeps us divided and wants things to stay the same. I will be a public servant in the highest sense.
3. I have pledged to remain non-partisan if elected to office. Abortion is legal in the state of Minnesota. The State has made this law, not Ramsey County. Funding for social welfare services is a large part of the county’s budget and will be a major topic of public discussion, ‘In Our First 90 Days’ together. I promise it will be one more priority with me to see that services provided are the best, most cost-effective they can be and that those who have fallen in Ramsey County society and are in need of help, receive it in the most compassionate way possible.
4. Under the incumbent’s tenure, misconduct and even the specter of crime has in fact been allowed to surround these places as well. Requiring personal responsibility and respect being shown to others and to staff at rec centers, libraries, and even within our public schools is no longer a priority. I apologize for this. Here too, if I am elected to office, these circumstances can and will meaningfully change greatly as well. No more excuses. If these centers embrace ‘respect for others’ as a requirement to use them, increased attendance and an overall environment of goodwill will prevail and expand. Our youth need and deserve this. If I may be so honored to serve on the Ramsey County Board, I heartfully pledge they will receive it.
5. Viruses are difficult to stop. Most people don’t realize how often they touch surfaces in public then touch their nose, eyes and mouths. Ongoing, simple to-the-point, education on how to stop the spread of germs and viruses will remain part of my leadership activities. I was required to close my two small business in March 2020. I know and could see first-hand what the impact of Covid had on our local society. Local politicians, few of whom have owned a business, were quick to demand business closures, while exemptions were made for national chains selling ‘essential goods and services’. Their subsequent record profits were made at the expense of closed smaller businesses. Many of these same businesses were further harmed during the May 2020 riots. Afterwards, for months, many had to remain vigilant against criminal conduct. Sadly, many have to do so yet today. So many Asian Americans in our community, and people from all backgrounds, have been negatively impacted by a lack of leadership and simple concern for their well-being. I sincerely apologize for this and promise, things will change quickly for the better if I am elected.

Rafael Ortega

Nonpartisan 

1. The key issues facing Asians and Asian Americans are the same ones facing most Americans, PLUS the extra burdens of stereotypes and direct racism. Many residents of my district, no matter their background, are struggling with the high cost of housing and healthcare, the need for reliable transit, and public safety. At Ramsey County, we have opened new homeless shelters, We are also building over 400 units of affordable housing. And with the city and the federal government, we provided $74M for housing this past year. I continue to be a leader in building new transit. I will continue to be available to all my constituents of every background. I am available for meetings with constituents and groups. If you would like to meet, please contact my office.
2. Every year I have multiple ways of interacting directly with students at high schools, colleges and with new employees. I have gone to speak at high school classrooms. Two years ago, we started an innovative program with a college where students got to work on problems with the county’s help and information and I welcome new employees every year personally. On my campaign, I consistently welcome new young activists to participate.
3. I absolutely support measures to expand and protect abortion access in Minnesota.
4. As the first person of color elected to a county board in Minnesota, I came into Ramsey County with a focus on making our services accessible, including parks, to everyone. I am proud of how open and welcoming our parks are to all of Ramsey County.
5. Ramsey County has relied on the latest Center for Disease Control and Prevention information and our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lynn Ogawa, has been a tremendous leader and source of information for our community. I will continue our work promoting vaccines, appropriate mask use, and encouraging people to stay home if they do not feel well.

Ramsey County Board of Commissioners District 6

Mai Chong Xiong

Nonpartisan

1. In Ramsey County District 6, we are majority people of color (60%), extremely young (60% under the age of 35 years old), and very low-income (half the households earn $50k annually). We are worthy of investments and have a huge opportunity to change the trajectory of working class people’s lives here by providing access to safe and stable housing, workforce development, and business support. I plan to continue to organize the community around issues that matter most to working-class people and first-generation Americans. This would include partnering with culturally-specific community organizations, neighborhood-based organizations, and local, state, and federal partners to secure resources for the district.
2. My campaign has always been about bringing young people into civic engagement. I have young people in my campaign especially advising me on their community. During the primary, my paid organizers and volunteers consisted of young people ages 16-35 who came into my campaign because they believed in my vision for the East side. Many of the youth have gone back to college but have said they have learned a lot about civic engagement and organizing. I plan to continue to recruit youth for leadership roles in my campaign and to empower them to run for office.
3. Yes, I believe in expanding and protecting abortion access in MN, and especially providing culturally responsive care for our Asian and marginalized populations. I will advocate for culturally responsive care to be available and accessible along with community partners who are in culturally specific communities. Furthermore, I will use the office of St. Paul and Ramsey County Public Health to support research and collaboration to further the agenda of community organizations to secure more resources and provide support in the community.
4. Yes, I believe in further investments into publicly accessible spaces for Asian youth. I will make sure the programs being provided at the county for youth are fully funded and that it provides a variety of activities that will spark interest and active participation from Asian youth. I will also make sure that programs are targeted to Asian youth by monitoring and evaluating program participation rates.
5. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken many of my loved ones, especially a dear friend and ally, Chair of the Saint Paul Public School, Marny Xiong. I take public health seriously and I will work closely with the Ramsey County Public Health Department to create culturally responsive and accessible outreach to the BIPOC and immigrant and refugee communities. This will take everyone to work together and I will continue to partner with the city, state and federal government so that we can all take preventable measures and that our communities heal safely.

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