Jennifer Compeau
DemocraticQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“I would refer to scientists whenever a policy decision involves scientific or technical information that I do not have the expertise to fully understand or evaluate myself. I would seek out qualified experts, research, and evidence to better understand the potential impacts of a policy, while also listening to the people and communities who will be directly affected. Good policymaking should bring together the best available evidence, lived experience, and the realities of the communities we serve.”
KEYWORDS: Evidence, Expertise, Lived Experience
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 do not support mining projects in the region surrounding the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Boundary Waters and the surrounding watershed are irreplaceable natural resources, and decisions about development should prioritize long-term protection of clean water and the ecosystems that depend on it.
I would support policies that strengthen environmental review, protect the watershed from pollution and contamination, require strong and enforceable safeguards for any permitted activity, and ensure that decisions are informed by independent scientific evidence. Once damage is done to a sensitive watershed, it may not be possible to fully restore it. Prevention should be the priority.”
KEYWORDS: Clean Water, Conservation, Science
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?
“We need to use science to create better solutions for reducing PFAS and protecting Minnesotans from exposure. I would support policies based on the best available scientific evidence, including stronger monitoring and testing of drinking water, identifying and reducing sources of contamination, and investing in effective treatment and cleanup technologies. We need to focus on prevention while continuing to support scientific research into safer alternatives and long-term solutions.”
KEYWORDS: Science, Prevention, Clean Water
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?
“I believe Minnesota needs a moratorium on new hyperscale data centers until we better understand their impacts. Before approving additional projects, we need independent, science-based assessments of their water and energy use, environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, and effects on surrounding communities. We should not be rushing to build these facilities and figuring out the consequences afterward. A moratorium would give Minnesota the time to establish clear standards and regulations based on evidence before moving forward.”
KEYWORDS: Moratorium, Evidence, Accountability
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 support continued and increased investment in scientific research at both the state and federal level. I would also support directing more research funding toward Native American scientists and institutions so Indigenous communities have greater opportunities to lead research that affects their communities, lands, health, and future. The people closest to these issues should have a meaningful role in shaping the questions we research and the solutions we develop.”
KEYWORDS: Research, Representation, Indigenous Leadership
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?
“I support continuing to invest in prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, but we also have to be honest about who is being left behind. I have lived this crisis personally, and I know recovery is possible when people have access to the right support.
Minnesota should expand low-barrier access to naloxone, treatment, peer recovery support, and culturally specific programs, particularly in Indigenous and Black communities experiencing disproportionately high overdose death rates.
We also need to address the conditions that make recovery harder: housing instability, poverty, transportation barriers, mental health care, and lack of access to services in rural communities. I support funding solutions shaped by people with lived experience and by the communities most affected.
We cannot arrest our way out of this crisis. We need to keep people alive long enough to have the opportunity to recover.”
KEYWORDS: Cultural Connection, Prevention, Investment