Samuel Grigsby
DemocraticQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“I think having an understanding of the studies done and a proper understanding of the information derived from them are important to making educated and informed decisions.”
KEYWORDS: understanding, competency, comprehension
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 think that we need to protect the watershed, we need to ensure all applicable environmental protections and policies are being followed and record keeping is enforced. Mining has been a leading employer in our area for decades, but this area relies on tourism for a lot of small businesses in the area. This watershed is very critical to the people who live there.”
KEYWORDS: protections, policy, tourism
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 ensure that all drinking water is safe for all who rely on it. We can’t go backwards on the regulations in place and we need to work closely with the people who can advise us on the best way to move forward and assist the areas to ensure they have safe water to drink and bathe in.”
KEYWORDS: Ensure, advisors, communities
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?
“We need to have make sure that they have transparent information available for all residents in the areas they plan on proposing the centers. We also need to see how this has affected areas that already have the centers in operation. I understand they do create several jobs while under construction, but we need to assess the long term employment viability and possible health and environmental impacts they can cause.”
KEYWORDS: Jobs, health, environmental
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?
“Funding research has provided many scientific advances and jobs that have improved our lives. We need to find economic ways to help the research continue from a state level and hopefully the federal administration will follow suit. ”
KEYWORDS: Economic, state, and federal
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?
“We need to continue the advances for all in our state. We need to work on education and outreach programs for the underserved populations in our state. We need to work with leaders in the indigenous and all communities to expand these programs. The programs will need funding to help and we need to be greative in finding ways to serve these groups.”
KEYWORDS: education, outreach, funding