Primaries Are Around the Corner!

Feeling the summer slow-down? Not us! Last week’s Foundation Celebration was a tremendous success. Congratulations again to the HERBIE winners. It feels so good to honor people who demonstrate civic leadership every day.  And, of course, I’ve been watching the Olympics and our very own Suni Lee, Regan Smith, Alise Willoughby, Sarah Baco, Matthew Wilkinson, and others – including our pro team representatives!

While watching the games, for whatever reason, I got to thinking about our elections. Yes, it's not even August but my mind turned to the upcoming August 13 primary election. These often overlooked and low turnout elections are the first electoral step in deciding who our representatives will be at the State Capitol, County Offices, and City Halls across the state. These important elections will narrow the field of candidates who will eventually make decisions that impact all of us. Does your road need to get repaved? Do your property taxes go up? Does running your business become easier or harder? These are all examples of decisions that the candidates may be asked to make if elected. 

In our core footprint counties of Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington there are already 66 candidates for State House, 17 for county commissioner, and 67 for mayor or city council. This list of 150 candidates will grow now that the second candidate filing period opened today. I encourage you to learn more about these candidates: attend a meet and greet, visit their websites, read up on their policy positions and visit the East Metro Voter Guide often to learn more about their views on the business community. 

Why vote in the primaries?

• With fewer people voting, every vote carries more weight.
• Primaries can feature ballot measures that need to be voted on.
• Hypothetically, someone could be the best candidate; but if he/she can’t make it past the primary, that voice is lost.
• Primary voters tend to be more partisan than general election voters, which is how “fringe” candidates end up in the general. More primary voters can mitigate this.
• Voter turnout at primaries helps determine where campaigns and primaries will put more (or less) effort in the general election. Make your voice heard!
• You don’t have to be a party member to vote in the primary election; however, you do have to choose only one party in which to participate for the primary election and any primary election run-offs that may occur. When you get to the polling place, you will need to decide to vote in the Democratic or Republican Primary.
• It’s your right; use it!

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See you in the trenches,

B