Brian Stalboerger
RepublicanQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“I am not sure what the question is getting at, but I would seek scientific input in any topic that lends itself the scientific method. So at committee hearings, we should obviously invite such testimony. That being said, I value individual autonomy and would seek to preserve freedom for citizens as well as for scientists within the scientific community.”
KEYWORDS: Expertise, freedom, dispassionate
Q2 Recently H.J. Res 140 passed, overturning a 20-year mining ban in the National Forest System land surrounding the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. What is your position on mining projects in this region and what policies, if any, would you support to protect the surrounding watershed?
“Although Gov. Walz has halted this with an executive order, if this were to come up again, I favor what conservationists have proposed that any company seeking a permit to mine would have to provide a trust fund up front that would guarantee the cost of any cleanup. It is a challenge because if people want things like EVs, doing the mining here is more likely to include safeguards than if done elsewhere in the world. As a non-expert, I cannot say at this time whether it would be safe to allow this type of mining in this area. I would need to hear from experts on both sides of the issue.”
KEYWORDS: Water safety treasure
Q3 Contamination from PFAS and other “forever chemicals” in 21 community water systems in Minnesota exceed national regulations, putting residents at risk of negative health impacts. What policies, if any, do you propose to protect Minnesota residents from the potential impacts of PFAS?
“If these chemicals are as problematic as reported, I would seek to make sure companies are pursuing alternatives and dedicating a certain amount of research dollars to finding alternatives. It should not simply be profit driven. I presume the legislatures and regulatory agencies have not banned them yet for a reason. I would need to hear from both sides, taking into account vested interests and looking for as unbiased opinions as possible.”
KEYWORDS: water prevent mitigate
Q4 There have been multiple hyperscale data centers proposed throughout the state, including one currently under construction. What policies and regulations, if any, do you support to assess and act on the potential impacts of these data centers?
“There must be complete transparency. No NDAs that prevent a town from even knowing what company is seeking to build. No government tax breaks or subsidies. Guarantees of how to deal with water use and/or water pollution. Data centers should add new power generation to run the facility.
These are minimum starting points for me. One has to consider that even if a data center provides its own electricity through some form of generation plant, nuclear, gas, wind, etc., all of those energy sources require inputs. If it is a fossil fuel source, another power plant just increases the demand for the fossil fuel (or wind turbines) thereby increasing the price of inputs into electricity generation. Therefore, even if they aren’t consuming existing electricity supply, they will still be impacting energy markets and those costs will still be passed on to consumers.
We have data centers currently, and I would not say we can never build another one. But we do not need the number being proposed. The rush job to build them needs oversight. The tech companies will have plenty of representation, I will be a voice for the community to represent their interests and respect their wishes.”
KEYWORDS: Transparency oversight slowdown
Q5 In 2025 alone, the National Institute on Health (NIH) awarded over $700 million for research grants and contracts to Minnesota universities, which directly supported over 7,000 jobs and $1.79 billion of economic activity in Minnesota. What policies, if any, do you plan to implement or support regarding funding for continued science research either at the state or federal level?
“I will first need to learn what is currently provided and hear from stakeholders where the funding system is not optimal. One factor that comes to mind is that publicly funded grants should give more weight to projects that have the widest positive impact on the largest share of the population. Research that can help millions of people is more desirable than a niche project that can throw off billions in profit.
Scientists need to have the freedom to go against consensus. Some research may be a dead end, but you don’t know until the research is done. Research that has longer payoff times also may need public funding if there is potential value but the market is not interested in funding because the payoff timeline is too long.”
KEYWORDS: enabling widespread benefits
Q6 Fatal drug overdoses in Minnesota have significantly declined in recent years, representing a 28% drop from a record peak of 1,392 overdose deaths in 2022. However, compared to White Minnesotans, Indigenous Minnesotans are 7 to 15 times more likely to experience a fatal drug overdose, while Black Minnesotans are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from a drug-related overdose. What policies, if any, do you support to continue the downward trend of overdose deaths for Minnesotans?
“We need to continue treatment programs that are working. However, I do not support policies that in the name of compassion enable people to continue their drug habits. That is very uncompassionate. I understand the drive that led us to legalization of cannabis, however, the state has gone overboard in cheerleading and helping build an industry. We discourage but allow cigarettes to be legal. This should be the same approach we take with cannabis. Instead, we are currently celebrating and encouraging cannabis use as a society and even with government funds. There needs to be more effort to label these products as potentially harmful. Many drinks and candy that are sold can later be mistakenly consumed by unknowing people.”
KEYWORDS: sobriety truth health