Minnesota State Senate District 52

The 2010 candidates for Senate District 52 are:

John McCallum (IP)
Ray Vandeveer (R)
		About Me:  Senator Ray Vandeveer is truly a “citizen legislator”, his main occupation being that of owner and President of a real estate appraising firm since 1981. Graduating from St. Cloud State University in 1975 with a B.S. in marketing, Ray worked a brief period as a painter in new home construction before beginning to buy and renovate older homes. This soon led to the establishment of a general contracting company which he turned over to his partner a few years later. Obtaining his real estate license in 1978, he also trained for and received certification as an energy auditor and truth in sale of housing evaluator for the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ray’s community service includes volunteering as a youth probation officer for Anoka County, serving as his church’s treasurer and trustee, a City of Moundsview Charter Commissioner and a City of Forest Lake Planning Commissioner. In 1998 he was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, to which he was reelected to five consecutive terms. While serving in the Minnesota House, he was Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee for four years and Chair of the Property and Local Tax Division for two years.
Important Issues:  Jobs Statistics confirm we are experiencing the most serious economic decline since the Great Depression. In order to restore job opportunities we must eliminate government overconsumption and take unnecessary restraints off free enterprise. Ray believes it is our generation’s responsibility to pass to the next the freedoms and opportunity we inherited. Education A fundamental element for a prosperous Minnesota is providing all kids the opportunity to receive a quality education. Fair funding, accountability, and restoring local and parental control are key to ensuring the success of our kids in public schools. Transportation A safe and efficient transportation system is an important component to making Minnesota work. Ray will continue efforts to improve our roads and bridges including on and off ramps on 35E and 35W in Lino Lakes and construction of a new Stillwater bridge.
Political Philosophy: Ray believes that the people are best served by a government that focuses on its core responsibilities providing necessary services as efficiently as possible.
Endorsements: Republican Party of Minnesota Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Care Providers of Minnesota St. Paul Pioneer Press Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Taxpayers League of Minnesota, ‘Best Friend of the Taxpayer’ 2010 National Federation of Independent Business ‘Guardian of Small Business’ 2010 NRA Minnesota Chiropractors Association Minnesota Association of Realtors
Becky Siekmeier (DFL)
		About Me: Becky Siekmeier (SEEK-MY-ER) was born and raised in Minnesota and currently lives in Grant. She’s been married to her husband John for 21 years, and they have an 11-year old son in 6th grade at Mahtomedi Middle School. They are members of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Becky’s been an active community volunteer with Scouts, school, youth sports, her church’s Environmental Stewardship Team and Habitat for Humanity efforts, and the Mahtomedi Area Green Initiative. Becky’s a member of the League of Women Voters organization and has served as an election judge. Becky’s professional experience includes 16 years at Best Buy headquarters in advertising and marketing operations. Her work included concept development, workflow improvement, multi-million dollar budget management, process improvement, and corporate social responsibility. Becky’s currently working on a Master of Public Affairs at the U of M’s Humphrey Institute. Becky brings hard work and commitment to everything she does, from competing at the U of M as a Big 10 athlete, to working in Best Buy’s fast-paced business environment, or joining neighbors to improve community. She favors a balanced approach to problem solving and uses evidence, not ideology, in making decisions. Learn more at www.beckyforsenate.com.
Important Issues:  While knocking on doors across the district, Becky hears your concern with unemployment, local schools, rising property taxes, and increasing healthcare costs. Her priorities include: Jobs: We must create jobs by partnering with small businesses, keeping jobs in Minnesota, and creating a smart bonding bill that invests across a variety of sectors in projects with a public benefit. Balance the budget with a balanced approach: We need responsible solutions that deal with problems today. All state programs need review. What’s working? What isn’t? The legislature needs to invite experts from multiple sectors to help develop solutions. Education: Past leaders understood the connection between quality education and how an educated workforce resulted in a competitive advantage. We mustn’t lose sight of this wisdom when our kids are competing in a global economy. It is vital to make sure our schools have the funding they need for success while ensuring accountability.
Political Philosophy:  There’s no shortage of issues facing Minnesota. The greatest challenge in dealing with them is the lack of balance in solving them. Rigid ideological approaches don’t work. Leaders must bring us together, not pit us against one another. This recession has clearly demonstrated that we are all connected in today’s economy. This is not the time to turn our backs on each other and take an “each man and woman for themselves” approach. Just like when communities come together after a natural disaster to rebuild, we must work together to get our economy moving again. Becky has the energy and the ability to work with others for positive change and will use evidence-based decision making to develop fair and reasonable solutions. Becky is running to put good ideas to work for Minnesota and working hard to earn your vote. We’ll get what we plan for so let’s plan for success.
Endorsements: MN Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party State Auditor Rebecca Otto Senator Sandy Rummel Representative Julie Bunn AFL-CIO AFSCME Clean Water Action IBEW Local 110 Minnesota Association of Professional Employees Operating Engineers Local 49 St. Paul Building Trades Teamsters MN DRIVE United Assoc of Pipefitters Local 455 Women Winning