In the Nov. 6 election, I will do something for the first time in 50 years. I will be voting a straight DFL ballot.
After almost four decades as a Republican Hennepin County commissioner, 50-plus years as a Republican activist, and having probably chaired more Republican conventions than anyone in the state, let me say it simply: President Donald Trump is unhinged, and some of us who have been Republicans have to say it loud and clear.
Trump has hijacked the Republican label. Trump has little to do with the principles and standards of the Minnesota Republican Party over many years.
Unfortunately, almost all Minnesota and statewide and congressional Republican candidates have fallen under the dangling talisman of Trump.
The DFL U.S. Senate candidates are clearly more qualified than the Republican challengers.
My colleague Jeff Johnson, when we were Hennepin County commissioners, was always intently honorable, and I greatly respect him personally, but his vision on Minnesota’s long-term issues (especially health care) is too limited and just plain wrong.
The balance of the Republican statewide ticket (with the possible exception of state auditor) is mediocre at best.
The most difficult election decision for me is my congressman. I really like Erik Paulsen personally. He is not quite the moderate like his predecessors Bill Frenzel and Jim Ramstad, but he is somewhat close. And Paulsen is obviously uncomfortable with Trump and Trump’s behavior. Paulsen is in a near-impossible position: If he speaks out too much against Trump, he loses the Trumpies, and without the Trumpies, he cannot win.
Much as I like Erik, it is time for change, and Dean Phillips fits the district well enough for fiscally conservative, pro-business moderate Republicans to support him. The attacks on Phillips during his leadership at Allina are just plain bizarre.
A first for me — a straight DFL ballot.
Randy Johnson, Bloomington
The writer was a Hennepin County commissioner from 1979 to 2017
StarTribune, October 16, 2018