Louis McNutt
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 on any vote that came up around issues of health, safety, environmental protections or whatever other subject enjoys a broad consensus from the scientific community.”
KEYWORDS: Health, Safety, Environment, Consensus
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 believe that the Boundary Waters should be protected from extractive mining. Our children deserve to grow up with the same great outdoors that we did, and the proposed mine poses a significant risk to the BWCA. We know that mining activity poses a huge environmental risk based on decades of experience. I would support restoring and expanding the 20-year ban.”
KEYWORDS: Boundary Waters, Preservation. Protection, Extractive Mining
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?
“I want strong protections around Minnesota’s drinking water and I want the companies responsible for putting forever chemicals into our water and environment to pay to clean them up. I would explore ways of making that happen. I would also support measures to expand testing in areas that need it.”
KEYWORDS: Environment, PFAS, Forever Chemicals, Clean Up
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 strongly support policies that would measure the impact of data centers as well as strong environmental and community-impact review processes to be carried out prior to approval for new centers. No center should be built if it will negatively impact people’s health, quality of life in their homes and communities, or the legacy of our natural spaces.”
KEYWORDS: Data Center, Review, Health, Quality of Life, Environment
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 support whatever measures come up to continue funding scientific research in our state. The economic activity that it contributes is important and so is the impact that research has on our lives and those of our children.”
KEYWORDS: Preserve, Support, Research, Funding, Benefits, Economic
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 education and community intervention pathways to reduce overdose deaths, including programs that allow advocates to work with police departments to enhance public health and safety.”
KEYWORDS: Education, Intervention, Overdose, Health, Safety, Partnerships