We’ve combed through campaign websites, LGBT groups’ voter guides and endorsements, and public statements to give as accurate a view of the candidates on LGBT issues as possible. It’s not perfect so we ask our readers to add any updates, corrections or criticisms in the comments. Also, we at TheColu.mn encourage you to look at the candidates positions beyond LGBT issues to get a complete picture of who you intend to vote for on Tuesday. The first section covers constitutional offices such as governor, then Congressional races, then legislative races, local races and finally judicial candidates. In the interest of brevity we have only included major party candidates and we encourage readers to check out minor party candidates as well. We have created a printer-friendly version to take to the polls. It can be downloaded here: (LGBTVoterGuide)

Governor:
Republican Tom Emmer took the lead on a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions in 2007 [MN revisor] He opposes GLBT-inclusive anti-bullying legislation. [Minnesota State Fair debate] Emmer proposed an amendment to ban gay and lesbian couples (as well as unmarried heterosexual couples) from using a surrogate mother, voted to deny local governments the ability to offer domestic partner benefits to their employees, voted against health care benefits for partners of state employees, voted against allowing public school students to learn about age-appropriate, comprehensive sex education, called HIV prevention outreach to gay men “disgusting discourse” and led an effort to strip the Minnesota AIDS Project of state funding, voted to deny same-sex couples the legal right to make decisions concerning the remains of their partner. [OutFront Minnesota]

DFLer Mark Dayton says he will “work to make Minnesota the sixth state in the nation to recognize that the love and commitment shared by same-sex partners is as real and meaningful as their opposite-sex counterparts.” And “will protect all our children by fighting for and signing a stronger Safe Schools bill that would give our educators the tools they need to effectively deal with bullying towards LGBT students.” And supports second party adoptions for same-sex couples. [Campaign website]. He received 100 percent rating from Human Rights Campaign during his time as U.S. Senator. Has an ‘A’ rating from Stonewall DFL and has been endorsed by that group. Also endorsed by OutFront Minnesota Action.

Independence Party candidate Tom Horner says “the quest for marriage equality is a simple matter of fairness, of equal opportunity under the law. I want everyone to have the opportunities I’ve had, including the opportunity to marry the person of their choice, and to enjoy the stability, the companionship, and the support of a marriage partner.” [Campaign website] He also supports GLBT-inclusive anti-bullying legislation. [Minnesota State Fair debate] On KFAI’s Fresh Fruit, Horner spoke about supporting HIV prevention efforts and the connection between marriage equality and anti-LGBT bullying. [KFAI]

Minnesota Auditor
DFLer Rebecca Otto is Outfront endorsed

Republican Pat Anderson opposes same-sex marriage [Star Tribune] and told the Minnesota Family Council he opposes gay marriage and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Secretary of State:
DFLer Mark Ritchie is endorsed by Stonewall DFL with an ‘A’ grade.

Republican Dan Severson sponsored a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions. [Pioneer Press] and told the Minnesota Family Council he opposes gay marriage and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Attorney General:
DFLer Lori Swanson marched in the 2009 LGBT pride parade [Source: Twin Cities Pride parade lineup] There’s not much else available about her position on LGBT issues.

Republican Chris Barden told the Minnesota Family Council he opposes gay marriage and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Congressional District 1:
Independence Party candidate Steve Wilson indicates that he doesn’t support same-sex marriage, but “he puts aside his views against abortion and gay marriage to focus on the fiscal challenges he feels are threatening the nation’s survival.” [Star Tribune]

DFL Rep, Tim Walz voted for trans-inclusive hate crimes bill that became law [Roll call 223] and voted to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell [Roll Call 317]. Walz has an ‘A’ from the Stonewall DFL and is endorsed by that group. He also earned an 88 percent from the Human Rights Campaign.

Republican Randy Demmer told the Minnesota Family Council that he would have voted no for the hate crimes bill and no on the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He also said recently, “Protecting the rights of the unborn . . . a ban on public funding of embryonic stem cell research . . . and the belief that marriage is a union of one man and one woman are fundamental. I firmly believe residents of the First Congressional District hold dearly to the philosophy that families that live, study, play and worship together are the foundation and very essence of our country.” [MN Progressive Project]

Congressional District 2:
Republican Rep. John Kline voted no on hate crimes legislation and no on a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Kline has a 0 percent from the Human Rights Campaign. He spoke out on the house in opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act especially the inclusion of gender identity. [YouTube]

DFLer Shelley Madore: “She believes that anti-same-sex marriage legislation is discrimination and views it as a civil rights issue.” [National Organization for Women] Madore said she will support LGBT-specific anti-bullying legislation “that specifically prohibit bullying or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation and perceived or actual gender identity.” [Madore campaign email, October] Shelley Madore has a ‘B’ from Stonewall DFL and is endorsed by that group.

Congressional District 3:
Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen voted against hate crimes legislation and against a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Paulsen has a 0 percent from the Human Rights Campaign. Focus on the Family’s James Dobson endorsed Paulsen in 2008 saying “Erik Paulsen believes that the institution of marriage is worth protecting, and he helped lead the effort in the legislature to pass a constitutional amendment to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” [Minnesota Independent]

DFLer Jim Meffert’s campaign website says he will “Strengthen equal protection and equal rights laws. Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. Repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.” He has an ‘A’ rating from the Stonewall DFL and is endorsed by that group.

Congressional District 4:
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum voted for hate crimes legislation and a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. McCollum has a 100 percent from the Human Rights Campaign. Co-sponsored a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act which prevents same-sex marriage at the federal level, and has cosponsored many LGBT-friendly bills.

Republican Teresa Collett testified at the Minnesota Capitol in 2010 against same-sex marriage. “Make no mistake: Marriage, as a civil institution, as a legal institution, is grounded not merely in religion but also in the biological reality that sex makes children and children need a mom and a dad,” she said. “And should we choose to redefine that legally we will put the religious and moral beliefs of all Minnesotans at issue.” [Minnesota Independent]

Congressional District 5:
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison voted for hate crimes legislation and a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He is also co-chair of the House LGBT Caucus. Has an ‘A’ rating from the Sontewall DFL and is endorsed by that group. Has a 100 percent from the Human Rights Campaign.

Republican Joel Demos has no position listed on LGBT issues and did not respond to the Minnesota Family Council questionnaire.

Congressional District 6:
Rep. Michele Bachmann voted against hate crimes legislation and a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Bachmann has a 0 percent from the Human Rights Campaign. Bachmann built her political career by opposing LGBT rights.

DFLer Tarryl Clark has an ‘A’ rating from the Stonewall DFL and is endorsed by that group.

Independence Party candidate Bob Anderson: “Marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman, but the state’s voters should have the ultimate decision. Support civil unions and grant gays and lesbians equal rights.” [Minnesota Public Radio]

Congressional District 7:
DFLer Collin Peterson voted against hate crimes legislation and against a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Peterson has a 10 percent from the Human Rights Campaign.

Republican Lee Byberg told the Minnesota Family Council that he would have voted against hate crimes legislation and against a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Congressional District 8:
DFL Rep. James Oberstar voted for hate crimes legislation and for a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Oberstar has an 84 percent from the Human Rights Campaign.

Republican Chip Cravaack told the Minnesota Family Council he would have voted against hate crimes legislation and against a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Because of the large number of candidates, we’ve only included those that have been endorsed by OutFront Minnesota Action, Log Cabin Republicans and Stonewall DFL. For Stonewall, we have included letter grades assigned to each candidate.

Legislative races
Minnesota Senate Candidates

SD07 Roger Reinert – Outfront
SD15 Bruce Hentges – Outfront
SD25 Kevin Dahle – Outfront
SD31 Sharon Ropes – Outfront
SD35 Travis Burton – Outfront
SD36 Steve Quist – Outfront
SD37 Mike Germain – Sontewall DFL – ‘A’
SD38 James “Jim” Carlson – Outfront
SD39 James Metzen – Outfront
SD41 Steve Elkins – Outfront
SD42 Ron Case – Outfront
SD43 Terri Bonoff – Outfront
Norann Dillon – Log Cabin Republicans
SD44 Ron Latz – Outfront
SD49 Paul Meunier – Outfront
SD53 Sandy Rummel – Outfront
SD54 John Marty – Outfront
SD58 Linda Higgins – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
SD60 Scott Dibble – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
SD61 Linda Berglin – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
SD62 Patricia Torres Ray – Stonewall DFL A
Patrick Elgin – Log Cabin Republicans
SD63 Kenneth Kelash – Outfront
SD66 Ellen Anderson – Outfront
SD67 John Harrington – Stonewall DFL ‘B’

Minnesota House Candidates

HD05B Tony Sertich – Outfront
HD07B Kerry Gauthier – Stonewall DFL A
HD09A Greg Lemke – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
HD10A Richard Kagan – Outfront
HD17A Jim Godfrey – Outfront
HD23B Kathy Brynaert – Outfront
HD27B Jeanne Poppe – Outfront
HD30A Tina Liebling – Stonewall DFL A
HD33B Kim Kang – Outfront
HD36B Sigrid Iversen – Outfront
HD37A Derrick Lindstrom – Outfront, Stonewall DFL B
HD38A Sandra Masin – Outfront
HD39A Rick Hansen – Outfront
HD41A Kevin Statunton – Outfront
HD41B Paul Rosenthal – Outfront
HD42A Maria Ruud – Outfront
HD43A Audrey Britton – Outfront
HD43B John Benson – Outfront
HD44A Steve Simon – Outfront
Rick Rice – Log Cabin Republicans
HD44B Ryan Winkler – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
HD45B Lyndon Carlson – Outfront
HD47B Melissa Hortman – Outfront
HD48A Laurie Olmon – Stonewall DFL A
HD50A Carloyn Laine – Outfront
HD51B Tom Tillberry – Outfront
HD52A Adam Best – Outfront
HD54A Mindy Greiling – Outfront
HD57B Dave Page – Outfront
HD58A Joe Mullery – Outfront
HD58B Gary Mazzotta – Log Cabin Republicans
HD59A Diane Loeffler – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
HD59B Phyllis Khan – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
HD60A Marion Greene – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
Brian Gruber – Log Cabin Republicans
HD60B Frank Hornstein – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
HD61A Karen Clark – Outfront
HD61B Jeff Hayden – Outfront
HD62A Jim Davnie – Outfront
Wes Whitby – Log Cabin Republicans
HD62B Jean Wagenius – Outfront
HD63A Paul Thissen – Outfront
Nathan Atkins – Log Cabin Republicans
HD63B Linda Slocum – Outfront
HD64A Erin Murphy – Outfront, Stonewall DFL A
HD64B Michael Paymar – Outfront
HD65A Rena Moran – Outfront
HD65B Carlos Mariani – Outfront
HD66A John Lesch – Stonewall DFL A
HD66B Alice Hausman – Outfront
HD67A Tim Mahoney – Outfront
HD67B Sheldon Johnson – Outfront

Local Races:

Minneapolis School Board:
Mpls School Board, At Large
Richard Mammen – Stonewall endorsed, A
Chanda Smith-Baker – Stonewall endorsed, A

Mpls School Board, Dist 1
Jenny Arneson – Stonewall endorsed, B

Mpls School Board, Dist 3
Hussein Samatar – Stonewall endorsed, A

Mpls School Board, Dist 5
Alberto Monserrate – Stonewall endorsed, A

Hennepin Co Commissioner
Gail Dorfman – Stonewall endorsed, A
Peter McLaughlin – Stonewall endorsed, A

St Louis Co Commissioner (6)
Lorrie Janatopoulos – Stonewall endorsed, A

Ramsey Co Commissioner
Toni Carter – Stonewall endorsed, A
Rafael Ortega – Stonewall endorsed, A

Ramsey Co Sheriff
Matt Bostrom – Stonewall endorsed, B

Ramsey Co Attorney
John Choi – Stonewall endorsed, A

Hennepin County Soil and water supervisor seat 3
Rahn V. Workcuff says “strongly agree that a marriage should be only between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of same sex marriages.” [Star Tribune]

Judicial candidates
Only a handful of statewide judges have challengers. And only three have made their positions on LGBT issues known. With a lawsuit to make marriage equality a reality in Minnesota, it’s very possible that judges will see the issue before them in the next two years.

Minnesota Supreme Court
Helen Meyer – incumbent, no party affiliation
Republican Greg Wersal told the Minnesota Family Council that he opposes court cases that overturned Minnesota’s sodomy laws, and supports court decision that banned adoption for same-sex couples and court decisions that banned same-sex marriage. He urged the state of Minnesota to challenge a ruling that banned sodomy [Star Tribune]

Alan Page – incumbent, no party affiliation
Republican Tim Tingelstad told the Minnesota Family Council that he opposes court cases that overturned Minnesota’s sodomy laws, and supports a court decision that banned adoption for same-sex couples and court decisions that banned same-sex marriage.

Minnesota Court of Appeals
Larry Stauber – incumbent, no party affiliation
Republican Dan Griffith told the Minnesota Family Council that he supports a court decision that banned adoption for same-sex couples and court decisions that banned same-sex marriage.