Jen Bloomquist
DemocraticQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“Science and peer-reviewed research must serve as the foundation of sound public policy. I would consult independent scientists, researchers, and academic experts early in the legislative process.
Rather than relying on industry-funded lobbying or political rhetoric, I would partner with institutional bodies like the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Pollution Control Agency, and federal agencies to interpret complex data, conduct impact assessments, and model long-term outcomes. I will actively support establishing legislative scientific advisory panels to ensure every major bill - particularly those addressing climate resilience, healthcare, and emerging technologies - is evaluated against the most rigorous, consensus-driven evidence available. When policy decisions involve public health and natural ecosystems, empirical evidence and preventative action must always guide our votes.”
KEYWORDS: Evidence-based, Independent, Rigorous
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?
“I firmly oppose sulfide-ore copper mining within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Boundary Waters is an irreplaceable ecological treasure, and peer-reviewed hydrology consistently demonstrates that sulfide mining carries an unacceptable risk of acid mine drainage, which would irreparably contaminate this pristine water system.
I support reinstating robust, permanent mineral withdrawal protections for the Rainy River Drainage Basin and passing state-level “Prove It First” legislation. This standard requires mining companies to demonstrate independent scientific proof of operating and closing a sulfide mine without polluting water resources before receiving permits in Minnesota. Additionally, I advocate for strengthening financial assurance rules so corporate polluters, not taxpayers, are entirely responsible for remediation costs, alongside expanding investments in sustainable, clean-energy economies and outdoor recreation for northern communities.”
KEYWORDS: Conservation, Protection, Accountability
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?
“Access to clean, safe drinking water is a fundamental human right. Minnesota made important strides with Amara’s Law to end non-essential PFAS uses, but we must urgently accelerate remediation where contamination already threatens public health.
I support establishing a dedicated state clean water infrastructure fund to assist municipalities and rural water systems in deploying advanced filtration technologies (such as granular activated carbon and reverse osmosis) without shifting costs onto local rate payers. Furthermore, we must hold chemical manufacturers legally and financially accountable through polluter-pays liability frameworks to recover cleanup costs. At the regulatory level, I will champion stringent monitoring across municipal supplies, private wells, and agricultural soils, while investing in university-led research to deploy emerging destructive technologies that eliminate PFAS rather than merely transferring them between waste streams.”
KEYWORDS: Remediation, Accountability, Infrastructure
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?
“While technological innovation drives economic growth, hyperscale data centers pose immense challenges to Minnesota’s clean energy goals, grid reliability, and freshwater resources. We cannot allow high-tech expansion to derail our statutory commitment to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040.
I support policies requiring comprehensive environmental impact reviews for all proposed data centers before approval, focusing on cumulative electric grid demand and water consumption used for cooling systems. Developers must be required to match their operations with new, dedicated off-site renewable energy generation rather than draining regional power reserves or increasing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, we must mandate closed-loop, zero-potable-water cooling technologies and ensure that utility rate structures prevent everyday residential consumers from subsidizing the massive infrastructure and transmission upgrades demanded by commercial tech facilities. Finally, we need to involve the impacted communities in the approval process and give their views the weight they deserve.”
KEYWORDS: Sustainability, Regulation, Transparency
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?
“Robust funding for scientific research is both a driver of economic vitality and a catalyst for lifesaving discoveries. I will advocate for state-level matching grant programs to help Minnesota public universities and non-profit research institutions compete for and maximize federal awards from the NIH, NSF, and Department of Energy.
I support direct state appropriations to modernize research laboratories, upgrade digital research infrastructure, and expand fellowship opportunities for early-career scientists, with an emphasis on recruiting underrepresented researchers. At the federal level, I will actively lobby our congressional delegation to safeguard and expand basic science and translational research budgets. By fostering strong partnerships between public research universities and Minnesota’s healthcare and green technology sectors, we ensure that public research investments translate into accessible medical treatments, sustainable technologies, and good-paying union jobs statewide.”
KEYWORDS: Innovation, Investment, Research
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?
“Addressing the overdose crisis requires treating substance use as a public health imperative rather than a criminal justice failure, while directly dismantling systemic disparities in care. The stark racial inequities in overdose mortality demand culturally responsive, community-directed resources.
I support directly funding tribal-led and Black-led harm reduction and recovery networks, ensuring sovereign nations and community health providers receive the resources needed to deliver culturally specific care. We must expand state-wide access to life-saving tools by eliminating barriers to naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and medically assisted treatment like buprenorphine and methadone. Furthermore, we must invest heavily in non-carceral mental health crisis response teams, supportive housing, and comprehensive wrap-around services to address the root socioeconomic determinants driving addiction and ensure recovery is accessible to every community.”
KEYWORDS: Equity, Harm-reduction, Treatment