Meet the Candidates: MN House District 12B

Write in candidate Bruce Bina, of Alexandria, and Democratic candidate Judd Hoff, of Alexandria, are challenging Republican incumbent candidate Mary Franson, of Alexandria, for the District 12B seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The winner will serve a two-year term. 

Hoff and Franson were given the same opportunity to respond to the Star Publications questionnaire. Bina was given an equal opportunity to respond when the newspaper learned of his write-in campaign. Hoff did not submit a response. 

Responses to biographical information like name, age and occupation were limited to 50 characters each. Responses to the open-ended candidate questions were limited to 100 words each. Any responses beyond the maximum length were cut off at the limit with ellipses.

Editor’s note: For readers who receive both The Star Post and Sauk Centre Herald, it was determined that a technological error prevented staff from receiving Bina’s questionnaire for print in the Sauk Centre Herald. His contribution will be printed in that issue Thursday, Oct. 31, with an explanation. Staff regrets this error.  

Mary Franson

Age: Not provided

Occupation: Server, bartender, sales representative and legislator

Why are you running for this position? I’m running for re-election because our state needs to focus on the basics of governance instead of extreme social and fiscal policy. Over the past biennium, we’ve seen the DFL trifecta spend an $18 billion surplus, while raising taxes by $10 billion, lose over half a billion dollars to fraud (that we know of), and implement radical social policy like giving free college tuition, healthcare to illegal immigrants and making Minnesota a sanctuary state for abortion up until the moment of birth.

If elected, what state issue do you hope to address within the 2025 Legislative session? Addressing the rampant waste and fraud in our state government. In the past few years, we’ve seen over half a billion dollars (that we know of) lost to fraud and several big projects run over-budget and behind schedule. A House Republican majority would immediately introduce a package of bills to bring accountability back to state government by cutting down on this waste and fraud. 

Political polarization is a common theme in state and federal politics. How do you plan to effectively work across the aisle? I’m always willing to put politics aside and work across the aisle to deliver real, pragmatic solutions to my constituents. I, however, will never compromise with communists.

What issue affecting your district do you find most pertinent and pressing? I will be focused on making life more affordable for my constituents in the upcoming biennium. $10 billion in new taxes levied on people who are already struggling with inflation doesn’t help families in our communities. We need to cut taxes to allow families to keep more of their money. Minnesota is also not a friendly state for business due to the high taxes which punishes job creators. It’s important to cut taxes all across the board. 

Are there other issues you want to address? More than half of kids in Minnesota’s schools can’t read or do math at grade level. That’s a crisis, and it’s one we can fix when we work together to focus on the basics of education instead of lining the pockets of special interest groups. I’d also like to see a bonding bill passed. 

Bruce Bina
Age: 68
Occupation: Business analyst focused on
business/social needs

Why are you running for this position? Our House District needs an effective voice in the State House to address all our communities’ needs. We must be able to work in a multipartisan manner with members across the political continuum. The needs of House District 12B include available and affordable housing and childcare, good jobs, accessible rural healthcare, and addressing rising living costs — all of which need legislative attention. I am running for this position to bring those issues and others to the discussion and arrive at solutions that work for the people in our district. 

If elected, what state issue do you hope to address within the 2025 Legislative session? Reconciliation of Minnesota’s urban/rural divide. Laws and regulations that address urban center needs may not work for outstate and vice versa. No doubt, this is complicated and challenging. Both sides must work together to succeed for Minnesota and find common ground. The best compromises often result in each side giving a little for each to receive something. Effective government requires adequate sources of funding. Better roads, services and a prosperous middle class will increase all Minnesotans’ wealth, health and welfare. To quote Paul Wellstone, “We all do better when we all do better.” 

Political polarization is a common theme in state and federal politics. How do you plan to work across the aisle effectively? God purposefully gave us two ears and one mouth. I will listen at least twice as much as I speak. Listening to constituents and House colleagues, opinions and facts from all sides can provide a better perspective on an issue. We need the best ideas to move forward, regardless of source. Quoting John F. Kennedy, “… Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past — let us accept our own responsibility for the future.” I will be part of the solution.

What issue affecting your district do you find most pertinent and pressing? Affordable housing options for first-time buyers and renters. Current unemployment rates in our counties (Douglas 2.9%, Pope 3.4%, and Stearns 3.8%) are below the August state number of 3.9%. Our area’s lack of affordable housing options is a significant challenge preventing people who want to work and live in our communities from being here. Relocation of workers is challenging for employers seeking new talent, especially entry-level workers with families. New residential market challenges such as bidding by investor partnerships and heavy student loan burdens work against young buyers and renters desiring to move to Central Minnesota.

Are there other issues you want to address? There are many issues to address, too many to go into detail. However, the list includes continuing to ensure all people in Minnesota have the right to self-determination concerning their medical needs; supporting rural high-speed internet access; supporting affordable universal child care; supporting common-sense gun violence prevention measures; supporting workers’ rights to form unions and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions; supporting family farms in rural Minnesota; and supporting Minnesota’s efforts to become the next state that ends veteran homelessness.