Voters in Minnesota’s Third Congressional District get to ask questions for one day after waiting seven years
Excelsior, MN – Congressman Erik Paulsen is hosting one day of town halls for the first time in seven years. After avoiding a public dialogue with his constituents for so long, he announced three meetings taking place in small venues – two during the day during working hours – and voters are only allowed in with a pre-approved ticket and a photo ID.
In contrast, Dean Phillips has made accessibility a hallmark of his campaign, inviting everybody in the district to join him at town hall meetings, open office hours (including on Lake Minnetonka) and community events. Based on countless conversations with voters, it is clear the following questions are on their minds:
Congressman Paulsen,
- You have taken more money from special interests than almost any other member of Congress – over $8 million in the last 10 years. Yet in 2001, you said that even the appearance of special interest influence was enough to justify campaign finance reform. Why has your position and perspective changed so much?
- You challenged your last opponent to sign the People’s Pledge to put a stop to outside spending in the race, but you won’t sign it this year as part of The Minnesota Way pledge. What’s changed? Why won’t you sign it?
- You have taken almost $1 million from pharmaceutical companies while prescription drugs become even more expensive for seniors. Why have you opposed efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices?
- Minnesotans send way more to Washington in tax dollars than we get back – in fact, we rank near the very bottom among all states. The tax bill you wrote makes that worse – in fact, it’s especially bad for districts like yours in high tax states like Minnesota, which is why many of your Republican colleagues opposed the bill. Why would you vote for a tax bill that sends more of our money to Washington and hurts so many families in your district?
- Net neutrality is an important tool to protect a free and open internet, and the ability of large telecommunication companies to control the internet is not in our best interest. Yet you have taken their money and have supported efforts to deregulate their industry. Is there any connection between the hundreds of thousands you’ve received from the telecom industry and your opposition to net neutrality?
- You have repeatedly voted to jeopardize the healthcare of thousands of people in your district by voting to repeal the ACA, instead of fixing and improving the law. What is the link between your votes to take healthcare away and insurance companies funding your campaigns?
- You have taken money from big oil, big pharma, the NRA, and many other special interests. Is there a group you would not take money from?
Background Material:
Erik Paulsen on PAC Contributions: “Two years later, he authored a bill to prohibit candidates from receiving money from political action groups. “We must act to negate the very perception that special interest money controls the way our government is run,” he explained.” The Cowardly Lion: Minnesota needs a hero. It has Erik Paulsen instead. City Pages, October 14, 2017.
Erik Paulsen refuses to agree to public town hall meetings. Petitioners ask Paulsen to hold town hall meetings. Eden Prairie News, Feb. 15, 2017
Paulsen challenges Senator Bonoff to sign the People’s Pledge in 2016: “Paulsen said he signed a pledge to reject campaign spending from outside third-party political groups and challenged Bonoff to do the same. “The people of this district deserve a race that’s going to be about issues and about our records,” he said.” Congressional candidates square off in Chamber debate. Southwest News Media, August 17, 2016.