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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Minnesota State Senate District 37

The chief function of a legislator is to enact laws. Each legislator represents a certain area as well as a number of individuals, referred to as constituents, who live in that area. In Minnesota, a state senator represents roughly 78,000 people, while a representative or house member represents approximately 39,000 people. There are 67 members in the Senate and 134 in the House. Senators’ terms are four years (two years in the first election following redistricting) while House members terms are two years.Learn more at the MN Senate website.Watch the forum for this primary race, held on July 21, 2026.

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  • Candidate picture

    Austin Chanen
    (DFL)

  • Candidate picture

    Brady Hoag
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Kristy Janigo
    (DFL)

Biographical Information

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (750 characters)

What will you do to support a vibrant economy across Minnesota and to address inflation? (500 character)

What legislation, if any, would you support to address racial or ethnic disparities in Minnesota? (500 characters)

Do you support the adoption of a ballot issue to add the Equal Rights Amendment into the Minnesota State Constitution - why or why not? (500 characters)

What legislation, if any, would you support to protect clean air and water in Minnesota? (500 characters)

What legislation, if any, would you support to meet the need for safe communities? (500 characters)

What changes to legislation would you support to reduce the influence of big money in elections? (500 characters)

Campaign Website http://chanenformn.com
Campaign Email austinchanen@gmail.com
Contact Phone 9524913964
telephone 9524913964
My top priorities are building a vibrant, worker-first economy, eliminating predatory healthcare barriers, and fiercely protecting our civil liberties. True public service means ensuring our economy rewards regular working families, not corporate special interests. Healthcare must be treated as a right, meaning we must stop insurers from using narrow networks and predatory prior authorizations to deny care. Finally, protecting our civil liberties—from fundamental personal freedoms to safeguarding our elections and environment from corporate manipulation—is non-negotiable. Our district needs a service-first leader who will advocate for systemic fairness and ensure every Minnesotan has the unconditional opportunity to thrive.
To combat inflation and build an economy from the ground up, we must put power back in the hands of working people. I support raising the state minimum wage to a family-sustaining living wage of at least $20 an hour. Additionally, we must invest heavily in our workforce by protecting labor rights and expanding technical pipelines, while cutting back on corporate handouts. When working families earn fair wages, our local main street businesses and communities thrive.
I will fight to eliminate systemic disparities by championing legislation that injects robust state resources directly into predominant cities of color. I support expanding state funding for affordable housing, supplementing localized tenant resources, and deeply investing in education and wrap-around services for BIPOC youth. True equity means providing underserved communities with the structural resources needed to overcome economic hurdles and achieve long-term stability.
Yes, I absolutely support adding the Equal Rights Amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution. Codifying the ERA is a fundamental and long-overdue chapter in our state’s history that we must pass. We must permanently enshrine absolute, unyielding legal protections against discrimination for all Minnesotans. Protecting personal freedom and human dignity shouldn't be subject to shifting political tides; it belongs firmly in our founding document.
Our natural heritage is non-negotiable. I stand with conservation champions to protect our pristine environment. I will support legislation to ban new mining developments and energy-intensive AI data centers that cannot meet an unyielding, data-driven standard of rigorous environmental regulation. We must hold big corporations accountable and ensure our precious watersheds and air quality are completely protected from short-sighted exploitation.
True safety requires a balanced, public health approach. I will support legislation that pair's strong accountability with robust resources for law enforcement, emphasizing community policing models. Simultaneously, we must expand state funding for mental health crisis teams, addiction recovery, and local non-profits. Investing heavily in our social safety net addresses the root causes of crime, keeping our neighborhoods safe and whole.
Our democracy belongs to regular people, not the highest bidder. I support aggressive legislative changes to completely ban or severely restrict corporate money, political action committees, and dark money in our elections. We must implement strict campaign finance transparency and strengthen public financing options. True political power must stem directly from a grassroots movement of everyday people, not multi-billion-dollar corporate interests.
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Campaign Website http://kristyjanigoformn.com
Contact Phone 6129614581
telephone 6127089029
My top three priorities will be affordability, safe communities, and trust in government. Families are stretched by the cost of housing, groceries, childcare, health care, transportation, and higher education. I will focus on practical solutions that bring costs down and help people build economic security. I will support safe communities by backing first responders, victim services, domestic violence education, mental health resources, and proven efforts to reduce repeat crime. I will also work to restore trust in government by strengthening oversight, preventing fraud before it happens, and making sure tax dollars reach the people and communities they are meant to serve. I have the experience to be effective my first day in office.
I will support a vibrant economy by focusing on affordability, workforce development, and strong local infrastructure. I will invest in housing, childcare, transportation, broadband, and career and technical education so families can work and businesses can grow. I will support small businesses, farms, and major employers while working to lower costs for health care, food, energy, and housing.
I would support legislation that expands access to quality education, housing, health care, transit, and workforce training in communities facing the greatest disparities. I also support culturally competent services, strong civil rights enforcement, and targeted investments that help Minnesotans build economic security. Reducing disparities requires listening to affected communities and measuring what works.
Yes. I support putting the Equal Rights Amendment on the ballot because Minnesotans should have the chance to decide whether equality under the law belongs in our state constitution. No one should face discrimination because of who they are. The ERA would affirm Minnesota’s commitment to equal opportunity, personal freedom, religious beliefs, and fair treatment for women, LGBTQ+ Minnesotans, people with disabilities, and all communities.
I would support legislation that protects drinking water, cleans up PFAS and other forever chemicals, and helps cities upgrade water, sewer, and stormwater systems. I support funding to treat our lakes, rivers, and streams to reduce aquatic invasive species. I also support holding polluters accountable, conserving wetlands and natural spaces, and investing in clean energy that lowers costs over time. Clean air and clean water are basic responsibilities of the state government.
I would support legislation that helps recruit and retain police, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, paramedics, and corrections staff, including mental health support and competitive benefits. I also support effective prosecution, probation, and reentry programs that reduce repeat crime, stronger protections for domestic violence victims, funding for shelters, and overdose prevention efforts like access to Narcan.
I would support legislation that strengthens transparency, accountability, and public trust in elections. Voters deserve to know who is trying to influence their government, and elected officials should be accountable to the people they serve, not their mega-donors. I support stronger disclosure rules, better enforcement of campaign finance laws, and practical reforms that make the government more responsive to constituents.