Benjamin Kruse
Benjamin Kruse (b. April 18, 1978) is a former Republican member of the Minnesota State Senate, representing District 47 from 2011 to 2013.
Kruse is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Kruse received his education at the University of Minnesota.
Campaign themes
Kruse's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[1]
Jobs and the Economy
- Excerpt: "Benjamin believes the first priority of Minnesota state government in this challenging economic climate needs to be the retention and creation of jobs."
Public Safety
- Excerpt: "Though not a high priority state wide; Benjamin believes that public safety is a vital issue for those who live in Brooklyn Park, Champlin, and Coon Rapids"
Education
- Excerpt: "After Minnesota families are able to put food on the table and our communities are safe Benjamin believes that education must be our priority. He understands that education is not only fundamental for children to be successful in society, but is also essential in the fight against crime and growth of social welfare programs."
Taxation and Spending
- Excerpt: "Benjamin believes in keeping money in the hands of those who have work hard to earn it."
Size and Scope of Government
- Excerpt: "Benjamin believes that government is best kept small and local. He understands that when government is kept small and local there is a higher level of accountability and less opportunity for waste."
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Kruse served on these committees:
Issues
Presidential preference
2012
Benjamin Kruse endorsed Rick Santorum in the 2012 presidential election.[2]
Elections
2012
- See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012
Kruse won election in District 36 in 2012 due to redistricting. He was unopposed in the August 14 Republican primary and was defeated by John Hoffman (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[3][4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  John Hoffman |
53.2% | 22,194 | |
| Republican | Benjamin Kruse Incumbent | 46.8% | 19,522 | |
| Total Votes | 41,716 | |||
2010
- See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2010
Kruse had no opponent in the primary. He defeated incumbent Leo Foley (DFL) and Andrew Kratoska (Independence) in the general election.[5]
| Minnesota State Senate, District 47 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Benjamin Kruse (R)
|
14990 | 49.83% | ||
| Leo Foley (DFL) | 13466 | 44.77% | ||
| Andrew Kratoska (I) | 1606 | 5.34% | ||
| Write-In | 19 | 0.06% | ||
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
Taxpayers League of Minnesota
The Taxpayers League of Minnesota, a Minnesota-based taxpayer advocacy organization, releases a legislative scorecard for the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota State Senate once a year. The scorecard gives each legislator a score based on how they voted in the prior legislative term on tax issues and “their efforts to balance the state budget without a tax increase.” The organization also compiles a legislator’s individual "Lifetime Score."[6]
2012
Kruse received a score of 71 percent in the 2012 scorecard, ranking 16th out of all 67 Minnesota State Senate members.[7]
2011
Kruse received a score of 77 percent in the 2011 scorecard, ranking 26th out of all 67 Minnesota State Senate members.[8]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Benjamin + Kruse + Minnesota + Senate
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Kruse has a wife, Anita.
External links
- Campaign site
- House website
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Facebook profile
- Campaign Contributions: 2010
Footnotes
- ↑ "votebenjaminkruse," Official Campaign Website
- ↑ Rick Santorum for President, "SANTORUM ANNOUNCES MINNESOTA LEADERSHIP ENDORSEMENTS," February 6, 2012
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "State of Minnesota Canvassing Report," accessed May 25, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Canvassing Report - State Primary - Tuesday, August 14, 2012," accessed April 23, 2014
- ↑ Secretary of State Official general election results
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecards," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecard, 2012," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecard, 2011," accessed May 15, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Leo Foley (DFL) |
Minnesota State Senate District 47 2011–2013 |
Succeeded by Julianne Ortman (R) |
