Minnesota State House Seat District 51A

District 51A covers the majority of the City of Blaine.  The candidates for District 51A are:

Zak Chlebeck (DFL)
		About Me:  Zak Chlebeck lives on the southern edge of District 51A and has been a Blaine resident his entire life. Zak graduated from Spring Lake Park High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from St. Cloud State University and a Masters degree from the University of St. Thomas. Zak currently works as a licensed police officer in the north suburban area and has served assignments as a patrolman, detective, school resource officer, D.A.R.E. instructor, and lead advisor for his department’s police Explorer post. Zak enjoys participating in National Night Out, Shop with a Cop, and Safety Camp programs. Important Issues:  Our working families must have good, secure jobs, and a larger work force will help alleviate the state budget deficit. Government and business can work together to invest in business development, infrastructure, worker training, and returning outsourced jobs to Minnesota.All Minnesota children require a world-class education to enable them – and Minnesota – to thrive in the global economy. The legislature must restore and stabilize state-level funding for our public schools. I believe property taxes should be reserved for a community’s public services, public safety, streets, and parks. Everyone deserves quality, affordable health care. Investment in preventive care and access to primary care physicians for all Minnesotans will reduce state health care costs and make health care more affordable for individuals and businesses. Many Blaine residents encounter daily traffic congestion on Highway 65. The corresponding safety problems are of particular concern to me, and I look forward to working on solutions.
Political Philosophy:  I believe the community of Blaine flourishes when each individual resident is able to live his or her best possible life. A prosperous society requires an educated and healthy population. A robust state economy depends on all Minnesotans contributing their fair share. We must invest in our children to secure our future. My career is committed to public service. I know and love our community and am dedicated to making it a better place. If elected to represent the citizens of Blaine, I will contribute to an improved environment of listening and cooperation in the Minnesota Legislature in order to bring effective solutions to problems and achieve shared goals. I will work for changes that benefit Blaine and that return Minnesota to its position as a national leader in the excellence of its schools, the health of its citizens, and the innovation of its businesses.
Endorsements:  International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 292 IBEW Local 110 IBEW State Council Education Minnesota Joint Council 32 DRIVE Teamsters Local 120 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) State Council Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) Minneapolis Building Trades Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters St. Paul Police Federation Minnesota AFL-CIO Minnesota Nurses Association Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Democratic Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) of Minnesota PAL 9, National Association of Letter Carriers AFSCME Local 5 International Union Painters and Allied Trades(IUPAT) Council 82 Progressive Majority Assistant House Majority Leader Melissa Hortmann Assistant House Majority Leader Larry Hosch Rep. Tom Tillberry, House District 51B Sen. Don Betzold, Senate District 51 Dick Swanson, Blaine City Councilmember, resident 51A Mike Bourke, Blaine City Councilmember, candidate for county commissioner, resident 51A Larry Farber, Sherburne County Commissioner Omar Merhi PhD, former candidate for Minnesota House of Representatives- District 51A Cathy Harrison, Associate Chair, 6th Congressional District, resident 51A
Tim Sanders (R)
		About Me:  Tim Sanders is currently serving his first term as State Representative from House District 51A. Tim Sanders is running to continue to serve all of the people of HD51A and the Great State of Minnesota in the MN House of Representatives. Tim is married to his wife Farrah, and they have two sons. Tim has been a proud homeowner in Blaine since 2002. Tim earned his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota. Tim is currently employed at Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and is also an Adjunct Instructor with the Minnesota School of Business. Important Issues: Job Creation - High quality job creation is vital. We must help get Minnesotans back to work by making Minnesota more job friendly. Small business owners are the engine that moves Minnesota’s economy so we need to signal to employers through pro-business/growth policies that Blaine and Minnesota want their business and we want them to develop, grow and stay here. Fiscal Responsibility – Spend taxpayer dollars smarter by funding priorities first, streamlining spending and requiring government to live within its means like Blaine families. We must eliminate the deficits and wasteful spending in Minnesota. Education Excellence – Quality education comes from challenging course work, great teachers, strong parental involvement and fairly funding our schools. We need to empower parents and local school districts, secure equitable funding for Blaine schools and promote new and effective teaching methods. A well educated workforce is the key to long-term economic prosperity and stability for Minnesota.
Political Philosophy: I believe in a government that has a role to play but that role is more limited. Elected officials should be there to serve the peoples voice. I was elected and am running to return to represent the values and voice of House District 51A.
Endorsements: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fund National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) – recipient of Minnesota’s “Guardian of Small Business Award” MCCL Minnesotans for Personal Choice and Competition in Health Care MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fund