RED WING, Minn. – A three-term State House member from Red Wing, Barb Haley, paid her $100 filing fee to run for the State Senate. Haley, a Republican, announced immediately after Mike Goggin, a fellow Republican and Red Winger, let it be known that he wouldn’t seek another term. Also vying for Goggin’s seat is a state Representative Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa. In the August 9 primary Republicans will m choose their candidate for November’s general election ballot. To date, no Democrats have declared.
Senate District 21 profile
The district runs 70 miles along the Mississippi River from below Minneiska to above Red Wing. Red Wing. This is all of Goodhue and Wabasha counties and a tip of Winona County. The district extends inland 50 miles as far as Kenyon in Goodhue County. Red Wing, population 16,000, is the dominant city.
In announcing, Haley touted having grown up in Goodhue County. At St. Thomas University she majored in international affairs, economics and German. For 16 years, 2003, she was with AT&T Wireless Services in Minneapolis and a regional director. In Red Wing she became involved in community partnerships for science and technical training. She has served on numerous boards. These included chairing the Fairview Red Wing Health Services board.
Haley was successful her first bid for public office, for House District 21. She rose quicky in House ranks and in her third term was the House Republican whip. The news site Minnesota Reformer called her a rising star in Minnesota GOP politics. Some suggested she run for governor against Democrat Tim Walz in 2022. She also was encouraged to challenge Democrat Angie Craig for the MN-2 Congressional seat. Instead she chose Googin’s State Senate seat.
Electoral record
2020: Haley defeated Matt Bruns, a Democrat, 59% to 40%.
2018: Haley defeated Lori Ann Clark, a Democrat, 56% to 42%.
2016: Haley defeated Lisa Bayley, a Democrat, 55% to 44%.
Haley espouses many traditional Republican values. Her campaign literature assiduously avoids the lightning rod subject of former President Donald Trump. In 2016 Trump carried Goodhue County by 55% and Wabasha County by 59%. In 2020 Trump carried Goodhue County 55% and Wabasha County by 62%
Campaign logo. Red and white. But no blue? A subliminal appeal to GOP voters in a heavily GOP-red district?
Haley called Senator Goggin a strong voice and leader for Senate District 21” I I want to continue to fight for our District’s values and principles he has worked so hard to defend.”
Haley. An upgrade to State Senate would double he constituency.
Policy views
In the House these past two years, she has been chief sponsor of 26 bills. About her positions:
> Budget surplus. Provide tax relief on small business loans. Exclude unemployment insurance bumps from state taxes. Put money into summer school for kids to catch up on learning gaps resulting from CoVid.
> Vaccine. Supports vaccines for those who are at risk and want them. Disagrees with government mandates.
.> Election fraud. Favors a voter identification requirement. Opposes provisional balloting. Favors outlawing voter compensation such as bus tokens and food coupons as enticements to vote.
> Abortion. Favors “Christian pro-life: values.” Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death. Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants . She note that she and her husband have two adopted children.
> Small government. Worries abpou “burgeoning government programs and expansive agencies” Calls for more accountability “to weed out fraud.”
> Gun rights. Second Amenfmrny righhts need protection. She co-authored the Stand Your Ground bill for families to use guns for personal protection.
> Gay rights. Marriage ia between one man and one wwoman. No other definition should be legalized or supported with taxpayer funds. Governments should not discriminate against businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
> Immigration. Build a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.