Politics has grown divisive, do Minnesota candidates want that to change?

Christopher Magan, Pioneer Press
·5 min read

Running for office has never been for the faint of heart, but in recent years it has become so divisive that some candidates now eschew typical norms and campaign with a more brusque approach.

This election season, the Pioneer Press asked candidates for the state Legislature and statewide constitutional offices how they would improve the political tone.

Many of their responses were perfunctory — vows to be bipartisan and work “across the aisle.” Others said the declining civility — and a desire to fix it — was a motivating factor in their decision to seek office.

Candidates had a variety of reasons why they thought the tone has become more divisive. One thing is clear, campaigns and politics in general have changed dramatically since Donald Trump first launched his campaign for president in 2015.

Steven Schier, a retired Carlton College political science professor, says some voters want a candidate who’s a political brawler.

“How do you explain Trump doing so well in 2016 in the state of Minnesota nice?” Schier said. “I think voters want their candidates to be nice people, but a lot of them also want partisan warriors.”

Read more about candidates seeking local office: twincities.com/news/politics/elections

Sources of strife

Candidates had a variety of opinions about why politics has gotten so ugly. Some think it’s always been that way.

“It has always been divisive, they’re just less civil now,” says Roseville Republican Allen Shen, who is running for House District 40B. He suggests getting to know members of the other party personally would help improve relationships.

Other candidates see something broken in our politics.

“We are living through a crisis of accountability,” said María Isa Pérez-Hedges, a DFLer running for House District 65B in St. Paul.

“Extremist politicians are running on platforms of hate and white supremacy, actively spreading disinformation, voicing violent rhetoric, and advocating for policies that take our communities backwards,” Pérez-Hedges said.

Dan Walsh, a Republican running in neighboring District 64A, sees a completely different problem.

“It has become divisive because one party has decided to use racism as the reason for all injustices incurred and for all ills in the world,” Walsh said.”My job is to ask how that is? We need to get back to debating ideas and data-driven outcomes, not ideology that when measured is very harmful to the groups the ideologues say they are helping.”

‘Divisive tribal thinking’

Candidates not from the dominant two parties say it is obvious why the two sides are so entrenched.

“Divisive tribal thinking is only possible when two sides can see themselves in direct opposition,” says Jeremy Peichel, a Libertarian running for Senate District 66, which covers Roseville and Falcon Heights.

“By bringing an independent third-party to the Senate that isn’t loyal to a caucus, negotiation and discussion will be more moderate (and) return to deliberative politics instead of demonizing rhetoric,” Peichel said.

Other candidates pointed to typical scapegoats like political spending and news coverage that tends to highlight conflict.

“I believe a large portion of this is on the shoulders of the media, who rarely cover how often we reach across the aisle and get along, but frequently cover heated arguments and gridlock,” said Julia Coleman, a first-term GOP senator from Waconia running for District 48.

A reason to run

Several candidates cited the changing tone as a primary motivator for seeking office.

“(G)rowing up through the divisive tone of politics has raised me to realize that we need to get out of party politics and actually focus on our communities and what needs to be done,” said Ashton Ramsammy, a 21-year-old DFLer from Blaine, running for House District 32A. “If I am elected I would ensure that future generations of elected officials understand the importance of community.”

Trace Johnson, a Republican from Lauderdale seeking the seat in House District 66A, says politicians are using division to their advantage.

“Our leaders try to pit neighbors against each other and block common-sense reforms that would help working-class people,” Johnson said. “I will never shut the door on bipartisanship to appease a political party and will work with anyone who wants to come together!”

Pledges of cooperation

So what would less divisive politics look like at the Minnesota Capitol — currently one of just two divided state legislatures in the U.S.?

One consensus seems to be more focus on what lawmakers from opposing parties have in common.

“Creating the right tone begins by recognizing we are not enemies,” said Mary Frances Clardy, an Inver Grove Heights Democrat running for House District 53A. “I am not afraid to reach across the aisle to craft solutions that benefit the community as a whole as long as I do not violate the values in which I believe.”

Many candidates said they’d like to focus on the business of governing rather than political gamesmanship.

“My goal is to make government work again by providing basic services in an efficient manner,” Patti Anderson, a Republican from Dellwood running for House District 33A. “I have served in non-partisan offices and know the two parties can work together on some issues. Politics shouldn’t be personal — we should be here to serve our constituents only.”

Is hoping for an improved tone in Minnesota politics just wishful thinking? Political scientist Schier doesn’t think so, but he’s also not betting on big changes. Minnesotans have always been good at hiding their true feelings, he noted.

“On the surface, people in Minnesota are very polite, but it is also a very judgmental place. That explains the bitter partisanship,” Schier said. “You may smile at people while you think they’re skunks.”

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