Jeremy Munson
RepublicanQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“I follow a fairly scientific process when determining whether to vote for a bill, and there are two areas where scientists can help sway my vote:
- Is it Constitutional?
- Does it unnecessarily grow government?
- Does the bill define a realistic path to achieving the results it seeks? (This is where my calls to scientists and constituents working in these industries comes in)
- Is it enforceable?
- Is there a private, non-governmental solution or market force which could deliver the same or similar results? (this is also where scientists and constituents working in these industries can help weigh in)
- Does it end? (Does it sunset, or could this be a bad law that is difficult to remove? Can I force the legislature to evaluate its effectiveness before re-funding or re-authorizing?)”
KEYWORDS: Solutions Proven Results
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 support the schools using their land for generating income to fund teachers and students, build state of the art schools, and to educate our kids. At the heart of much of the debate is the millions of acres of valuable mining and timber land the schools own. For mining in any location, the mine must purchase an appropriate insurance bond to offset any environmental damage. If this is $5 billion dollars - then make them buy that size bond. The insurance company will have inspectors camped out 24/7 ensuring there is no damage to the environment. If the mining process is too risky to the environment, no insurance company will insure them. If approved, the mine owners will constantly work to improve the process to lower risk, and with it, the premiums paid for the bond. Additionally, the use of a private bond will ensure government bureaucrats are not paid off to look the other way. If we cannot mine here, under the strictest environmental standards in the world, we shouldn’t be mandating electric vehicles where 65% of the battery is nickel and where it is destroying the environment for millions of people in developing nations.”
KEYWORDS: Responsibility Financial 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?
“Product and corporate liability should be the hallmark of a free market. We should NEVER allow our government to provide civil and/or criminal immunity to manufacturers. In the MN Legislature, I have been a champion of calling out crony capitalism and have authored resolutions calling for eliminating such immunity our government has granted to corporations and their executives. Outside the legislature, the executive branch is responsible for prosecuting those who harm others and the environment and the role of the judiciary branch to weigh in.”
KEYWORDS: Do No Harm
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 support a local government’s right to authorize, ban, and/or regulate data centers. This should not be a statewide or federal policy as the impacts are primarily local. The statewide and regional impacts are primarily based on a potential electrical consumption causing shortages or price spikes. This could be solved by allowing or requiring data centers to produce their own energy along with an electrical impact assessment.”
KEYWORDS: Local Control Regulation
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 research grants which benefit the public and which are not or will not be financed privately. I have witnessed 30-40% administrative fees on some grants, and believe we need to restrict what can be used for admin purposes so most of the research dollars go to the researchers and not to a bloated bureaucracy.”
KEYWORDS: Research over bureaucracy
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 don’t support paying people to stay home and not work, which is what caused the highest spike in overdose deaths when the government closed down our state and sent thousands of dollars to people and told them not to work. I do not support racist policies and oppose legislation that distributes money based on race. The Constitution’s 14th Amendment prohibits programs and funding based on race. While science may look at race, government policies must incorporate other factors, such as income, two-parent vs single-parent households, or other factors that do not violate our laws.”
KEYWORDS: Never Again