Erik Simonson
Erik Simonson (Democratic Party) was a member of the Minnesota State Senate, representing District 7. He assumed office in 2017. He left office on January 5, 2021.
Simonson (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Minnesota State Senate to represent District 7. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 11, 2020.
Simonson is a former Democratic-Farmer-Labor member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 7B from 2013 to 2017. Simonson did not seek re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016.
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Simonson was assigned to the following committees:
- Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee, Ranking Minority Member
- Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee (decommissioned)
- Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Minnesota committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Energy and Utilities |
| • Environment and Natural Resources Finance |
| • Jobs and Economic Growth |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Simonson served on the following committees:
| Minnesota committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance |
| • Taxes |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Simonson served on the following committees:
| Minnesota committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Labor, Workplace and Regulated Industries |
| • Public Safety Finance and Policy |
| • Taxes |
| • Transportation Policy |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2020
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Minnesota State Senate District 7
Jen McEwen defeated Donna Bergstrom in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 7 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jen McEwen (D) ![]() | 68.3 | 30,526 | |
Donna Bergstrom (R) ![]() | 31.5 | 14,081 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 76 | ||
| Total votes: 44,683 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 7
Jen McEwen defeated incumbent Erik Simonson in the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 7 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jen McEwen ![]() | 73.5 | 8,603 | |
| Erik Simonson | 26.5 | 3,095 | ||
| Total votes: 11,698 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 7
Donna Bergstrom advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 7 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Donna Bergstrom ![]() | 100.0 | 2,129 | |
| Total votes: 2,129 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2016
- See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Minnesota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016. Incumbent Roger Reinert (D) did not seek re-election.
Erik Simonson defeated Donna Bergstrom in the Minnesota State Senate District 7 general election.[1][2]
| Minnesota State Senate, District 7 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | 65.67% | 27,677 | ||
| Republican | Donna Bergstrom | 34.33% | 14,470 | |
| Total Votes | 42,147 | |||
| Source: Minnesota Secretary of State | ||||
Erik Simonson ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 7 Democratic primary.[3][4]
| Minnesota State Senate, District 7 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | ||
Donna Bergstrom ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 7 Republican primary.[3][4]
| Minnesota State Senate, District 7 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | ||
2014
Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Incumbent Erik Simonson was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Travis Silvers defeated Carla Bayerl in the Republican primary. Simonson defeated Silvers in the general election.[5][6][7]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
|
57.4% | 371 |
| Carla Bayerl | 42.6% | 275 |
| Total Votes | 646 | |
2012
Simonson was selected to replace former candidate Kerry Gauthier after his name was removed from the ballot by the Minnesota Supreme Court. He defeated Travis Silvers (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 74.1% | 12,450 | ||
| Republican | Travis Silvers | 25.9% | 4,345 | |
| Total Votes | 16,795 | |||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Erik Simonson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Simonson's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[9]
Transit
- Excerpt: "I believe in implementing a fuel based wholesale tax, dedicated to funding statewide transportation needs."
Education
- Excerpt: "I have been proud of my votes in the Minnesota legislature in support of sustainable public education, and I am also proud to once again have earned the support and endorsement of Education Minnesota for my Senate campaign."
Sustainable energy
- Excerpt: "Sustainability is a serious part of our conversation as we look to diversification of energy generation going forward, and I have the experience in the legislature to work towards that goal."
Environment
- Excerpt: "I have been a strong supporter of renewable energy policy, and have worked to reduce fossil fuel reliance all across Minnesota."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2020.
- Action 4 Liberty — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- AFSCME Council 5 — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues.
- Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."
- Minnesota AFL-CIO — Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2019.
- Action 4 Liberty — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- AFSCME Council 5 — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues.
- Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."
- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2018.
- Action 4 Liberty — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."
- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Taxpayers League of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2017.
- AFSCME Council 5 — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues.
- Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."
- MinnCAN — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
- Minnesota AFL-CIO — Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.
- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Taxpayers League of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2016.
- AFSCME Council 5 — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues.
- Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."
- MinnCAN — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Minnesota Family Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Taxpayers League of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Voices for Racial Justice — Legislators are scored by the organization on "their support for legislation forwarding an equitable and inclusive Minnesota."
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2015.
- Clean Water Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business-related bills.
- Taxpayers League of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2014.
- AFSCME Council 5 — Legislators are scored on if they supported or opposed AFSCME's position.
- Americans for Prosperity - Minnesota — Legislators are scored based on votes on economic issues.
- Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."
- Liberty Minnesota — Legislators are scored on bills of interest to an organization advocating "limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty."
- MinnCAN — Legislators are scored based on bills related to education.
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business-related bills.
- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Minnesota Nurses Association — Legislators are scored based on issues affecting nurses, healthcare, and working families.
- Minnesota Voters for Animal Protection — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animals.
- NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Taxpayers League of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Voices for Racial Justice — Legislators are scored by the organization on "their support for legislation forwarding an equitable and inclusive Minnesota."
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2013.
- AFSCME Council 5 — Legislators are scored on if they supported or opposed AFSCME's position.
- Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."
- MinnCAN — Legislators are scored based on bills related to education.
- Minnesota AFL-CIO — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues.
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business-related bills.
- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Minnesota Family Council — Legislators are scored by the organization on their votes on bills that affect Minnesota families.
- Minnesota Majority — Legislators are scored by the organization on "a wide range of issues including taxes, government spending, elections, childcare unionization, property rights and energy policy."
- Minnesota Nurses Association — Legislators are scored based on issues affecting nurses, patients, and working families.
- Minnesota Voters for Animal Protection — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animals.
- NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Taxpayers League of Minnesota — Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Voices for Racial Justice — Legislators are scored by the organization on "their support for legislation forwarding an equitable and inclusive Minnesota."
See also
2020 Elections
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Official campaign website
- Erik Simonson on Facebook
- Erik Simonson on Twitter
- Profile from Open States
Footnotes
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 general election results," accessed November 5, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Canvassing Board Report," August 19, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed July 25, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Public Radio, "Minn. Supreme Court removes Gauthier from ballot," September 25, 2012
- ↑ Simonson for Senate', "Policy positions," accessed October 6, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Roger Reinert (DFL) |
Minnesota State Senate, District 7 2017-2021 |
Succeeded by Jen McEwen (D) |
| Preceded by Kerry Gauthier (DFL) |
Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B 2013–2017 |
Succeeded by Liz Olson (DFL) |
