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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Minnesota State Senate District 38

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.A forum for the candidates in this primary election was held on July 14, 2026 - watch it here.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

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    Nehemiah Garley
    (DFL)

  • Candidate picture

    Brad Olson
    (Rep)

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    Susan Pha
    (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)

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Campaign Website http://susanphaforsenate.com
Contact Phone 7636001043
telephone 7636001043
My top three priorities are lowering the cost of living, expanding affordable housing, and ensuring accessible healthcare. These are the issues voters raise with me most, and they're deeply connected: families need relief from rising costs, a real shot at affordable housing, and healthcare they can count on without financial strain. I'm also focused on economic development and investing in our children's future, because a strong local economy and good schools build lasting opportunity. These aren't new priorities for me, I've already been working on them in the office. There's more work to do, and I'm running again because I'm committed to seeing it through for this district.
As a small business owner, I know what it takes to build a vibrant economy. I'll keep fighting to support local businesses, attract good jobs, and invest in workforce development so families have real opportunity close to home. On inflation, I'm focused on easing everyday costs for families, from housing to healthcare, through policies that put money back in people's pockets. Economic growth and affordability go hand in hand, and I'm committed to delivering both for Minnesota families.
Racial disparities show up clearly in my district, in homeownership gaps, healthcare access, and school funding. I've prioritized closing these gaps through housing investments that expand homeownership, support for affordable healthcare access, and funding to ensure every child and school in my district has the resources needed to succeed. I'll continue supporting legislation that targets these disparities directly, because equity in housing, health, and education is essential to a fair Minnes
Yes, I support adding the Equal Rights Amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution. Every person in our state deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of sex, and enshrining that guarantee in our constitution ensures it can't be rolled back by shifting political winds. This is about protecting fundamental rights for future generations of Minnesotans, our daughters, sons, and all families.
Yes. I support strong protections for clean air and water, including Minnesota's 2023 cumulative impacts law, which requires added scrutiny of pollution burdens on overburdened communities, and Amara's Law banning PFAS "forever chemicals" in consumer products. I'll keep fighting for clean water funding and strong environmental protections, and I'm proud to be endorsed by Conservation Minnesota and the Boundary Waters Action Fund, who share my commitment to protecting Minnesota's air, water, and
As a State Senator, I fought for and voted to pass the $71 million investment in community violence intervention, along with expanded background checks and red-flag laws that let families petition to remove guns from someone in crisis. I'm committed to funding law enforcement recruitment and training, supporting first responder mental health, and investing in victim services, because real safety means strong law enforcement and proven prevention strategies working together.
I support getting big money out of politics through real transparency. I'll continue backing strong donor disclosure requirements for political spending and support the DISCLOSE Act, a constitutional amendment that closes loopholes allowing dark money to influence our elections without accountability. Minnesotans deserve to know who's funding political ads that shape their vote. I'll keep fighting for a system where transparency, not secret spending, guides our democracy.