Katie Jones
DemocraticQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“Yes, I always leverage the most qualified and impacted groups of people when developing policy. As a trained engineer, I understand the importance of coming at issues with a pragmatic, evidence-based approach.”
KEYWORDS: Evidence
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 oppose these projects and support strong regulation to protect the BWCA. I believe that strong regulation is the key to a most just, resilient, and thriving Minnesota. In addition to regulation, we can use incentives to ensure that businesses, industries, and people become curious and motivated to participate in initiatives that protect the environment.”
KEYWORDS: Sustainability, Wilderness, Regulation
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?
“To protect our community’s air, soil, and groundwater, I’ll defend and strengthen Amara’s Law to keep PFAS out of our drinking water, push for agricultural buffers and reduced fertilizer/pesticide runoff into waterways, and hold the MPCA accountable through public hearings for safe water standards.”
KEYWORDS: Protect, Accountability, Standards
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?
“Data centers are being targeted for Minnesota because of our favorable climate and abundant water but they require large amounts of energy, drive up costs, could stress our existing systems, put our 100% clean electricity by 2040 law in jeopardy, and threaten clean air and water. Fortunately, in 2025 we were able to put in guardrails to ensure that existing consumers are not covering costs of these new developments and to ensure that our movement to 100% clean electricity by 2040 is not at risk. Going forward, we need additional work to require large data centers to bring their own clean energy, to minimize water consumption through air-cooled systems, to undergo environmental impact studies, and to encourage them to recover and reuse data center waste heat.”
KEYWORDS: Guardrails, Clean Energy, Water
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 believe that evidence-backed research and scientific studies – alongside close discussions with the impacted community – should be the backbone of policy-making, and I support more funding for science research.”
KEYWORDS: Support, Policy, 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?
“I believe that addressing the social determinants driving substance use risk — stable housing, employment access, and trauma-informed mental health care — is essential, especially in communities that have faced concentrated disinvestment, redlining, or historical trauma, and I’m committed to tackling this issue at its roots.”
KEYWORDS: Housing, Employment, Mental Health