Paul Hillen
From Ballotpedia
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Paul Hillen (Republican Party) ran for election to the Minnesota State Senate to represent District 42. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Hillen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Paul Hillen earned a bachelor's degree from Marquette University in 1986. His career experience includes working as an author, speaker, entrepreneur, small business owner, volunteer, board member, coach, teacher, and guest lecturer.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Minnesota State Senate District 42
Bonnie Westlin defeated Paul Hillen in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 42 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bonnie Westlin (D)  | 57.7 | 23,752 |
 | Paul Hillen (R) | 42.3 | 17,395 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 19 | ||
| Total votes: 41,166 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Bonnie Westlin advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 42.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Paul Hillen advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 42.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
To view Hillen's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.
Campaign themes
2022
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released Sep 9, 2022 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Paul Hillen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hillen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a 21-year Plymouth resident, husband of 30 years and father of four. My wife Karen and I raised our children in Plymouth. I coached over 40 youth sports teams in Plymouth, and volunteer for youth, disabled adults, and seniors. I serve as Board Chair of non-profit Living Well Disability Services that provides housing for disabled adults. I am a former Advisory Board Member of the University of Chicago Booth Business School and the University of Minnesota Carlson Business School. I led an effort to preserve 163 acres of natural habitat, recreational, and green space in Plymouth from destruction using private funds.
I am a 36-year business professional including roles at international companies Cargill and Procter & Gamble, and I am currently a small business owner and entrepreneur. I am the author of the leadership book "How Goodness Pays" and have a history of leading teams to solve large complex problems. I will bring this experience to the Minnesota Senate and take a common-sense approach to solving the complex problems our community and great state face. I am endorsed by Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, MN Chamber of Commerce, and NFIB representing over 10,000 MN small businesses.
- I will address the high cost of living. Gas prices are up 60% since last year. Inflation is costing MN families over $830/month. MN has the 5th highest tax collections per person and is ranked near last at 45th out of 50 for business taxes. CNBC gives MN a C- on Cost of Living. I will lessen the burden on families and seniors by working to: (a) reduce state income and gas taxes, (b) eliminate the state income tax on Social Security benefits, (c) return the $9.3 billion state surplus to taxpayers, (d) oppose over-reaching emission standards that could raise the gas price as much as $2 per gallon, and (e) reduce the burdens on businesses to create economic growth, while at the same time stimulating the supply of goods to reduce inflation.
- We must reverse the trend of increasing crime and get serious about public safety. Aggravated assaults are up 63%, and car thefts are up 30% statewide since 2019. Crime is creeping into the suburbs, with assaults & car thefts in Plymouth up 47% and 76% respectively. Breaking & entering incidents in Plymouth have increased by 71%. An 18 year old woman was carjacked at Target on Rockford Rd. I will bring a common-sense approach and work to (a) ensure existing laws are enforced, (b) stop arrest and release and no cash bail policies, (c) fully fund and support the police, (d) create a juvenile justice system that teaches kids to be responsible for their actions, and helps get them back on track, and (e) make our schools safe.
- Our K-12 public education system is failing too many students and must be fixed. Only 37% of MN’s high schoolers are proficient in math, and only 56% are proficient in reading. Differences in test scores between races in MN is among the highest in the country. Teaching of race & gender ideology is replacing core academics and dividing communities. I will work to (a) create a focus on core academics & evidence-based methods, (b) eliminate political, ideological, & opinion-based curriculum, let’s let parents raise their kids, (c) push for legislative approval of academic standards, and (d) improve equality of opportunity for all students and families by expanding school choice. I will advocate for students and parents.
I am passionate about a system that provides Equal Opportunity for ALL. I believe a foundation built on freedom, democracy, and education can propel an individual to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Children and their parents should have access to a quality school. Quality means preparing the student for the rigors of one’s adult working life. A foundation built on Reading, Math, Sciences - the academic basics - is essential. I am passionate about Democracy. Although Democracy is not always clean and easy, it is the finest form of government. I am passionate about capitalism. The chance to bring one’s talents to the marketplace, providing value for the community and a reward for the business or entrepreneur, drives innovation and lifts the standard of living for all of us. I am passionate about providing a safe community with a high quality of life for my fellow residents and neighbors. This means we must enforce our laws, ensure crimes have consequences, be good stewards of tax dollars, and provide infrastructure and recreational greenspace so we can live our best lives and thrive.
While my parents are no longer alive, I still look up to them and value how I was raised - - to be honest, principled, treat others with respect and kindness, and always work hard. Both of my parents worked hard to provide for our family and taught me life lessons that still serve me well today.
Principled. Honest. Good Listener. Hard-working. Collaborator. Good Communicator.
Represent their constituents in the senate and advocate for policies that give them a safe community, strong schools, and reasonable cost of living so they can live a high quality of life.
I remember my parents waking me up when I was 5 years old to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.
I had a newspaper route with my brother when I was 6 years old, and then soon after started my own lawn mowing and snow shoveling business in third grade to earn my own money. I've had a job consecutively since I was 6 years old.
They need to have an open and regular relationship. They need to establish regular discussions/meetings to address the big issues facing our state. These meetings need to be substance based and focus on actions and outcomes that serve the people of MN.
Rising crime, increased inflation, and improving our education for kids. We must close the achievement gap and improve student proficiency rates in our schools.
Unicameral legislatures have the downside of potentially only representing one point of view, which can increase speed of legislation passing, but can also create significant shifts in laws and policies that can hurt in the short term. Bicameral legislatures tend to take longer to pass legislation but can also ensure all points of view are considered.
No. Our U.S. and MN state founders set up a representative government, so it does just that, represents the people from their area. I believe we need fewer career politicians and more people with business and career experience outside of politics serving in state legislatures. Long-time and career politicians tend to get insulated from everyday life and fail to represent their constituents, but instead represent their own interests.
Yes. Relationships in all walks of life are critical. You can't collaborate with someone well if you don't know and trust them. I have a 36 year business career doing just that - - working effectively with others with whom you don't always agree. However, when you have built a personal relationship, it is much easier to agree.
One that fairly represents the political points of view evenly across the district.
Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy, Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy, Taxes, Transportation and Finance, Civil Law and Data Practices Policy, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy.
Not at this time.
I had a discussion with a single mom whose son I coached in youth hockey. I saw her in the parking lot of Cub as I was walking out after shopping, and she was going in. After we quickly caught up she said to me, "Since when did gas and groceries become luxuries?". She said she was really struggling with her mortgage and cost of living expenses. This really hit home for me. We need to give people like her relief from income taxes, gas taxes, and provide supply chain solutions. She then said, "Well, I hope I can afford my groceries, that is if there is anything on the shelf". We can and must do better.
Yes, we need to have a balance between the legislature and executive office. I believe the executive needs to be able to grant them for a short period of time, but then the legislature should oversee any extensions beyond the short initial granting of the powers.
Both the MN Senate and House of Representatives need to find common ground with the governor to address the key issues of crime, cost of living, and education for Minnesotans.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
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Candidate Minnesota State Senate District 42 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 4, 2022
Current members of the Minnesota State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Bobby Champion
Majority Leader:Erin Murphy
Minority Leader:Mark Johnson
Senators
District 1
Mark Johnson (R)
District 2
Steve Green (R)
District 3
Grant Hauschild (D)
District 4
Rob Kupec (D)
District 5
Paul Utke (R)
District 6
Keri Heintzeman (R)
District 7
District 8
Jen McEwen (D)
District 9
Jordan Rasmusson (R)
District 10
Nathan Wesenberg (R)
District 11
Jason Rarick (R)
District 12
Torrey Westrom (R)
District 13
Jeff Howe (R)
District 14
Aric Putnam (D)
District 15
Gary Dahms (R)
District 16
Andrew Lang (R)
District 17
Glenn Gruenhagen (R)
District 18
Nick Frentz (D)
District 19
John Jasinski (R)
District 20
Steve Drazkowski (R)
District 21
Bill Weber (R)
District 22
Rich Draheim (R)
District 23
Gene Dornink (R)
District 24
Carla Nelson (R)
District 25
Liz Boldon (D)
District 26
Jeremy Miller (R)
District 27
Andrew Mathews (R)
District 28
Mark Koran (R)
District 29
Vacant
District 30
Eric Lucero (R)
District 31
Calvin Bahr (R)
District 32
Michael Kreun (R)
District 33
Karin Housley (R)
District 34
John Hoffman (D)
District 35
Jim Abeler (R)
District 36
District 37
Warren Limmer (R)
District 38
Susan Pha (D)
District 39
District 40
John Marty (D)
District 41
Judy Seeberger (D)
District 42
Bonnie Westlin (D)
District 43
Ann Rest (D)
District 44
Tou Xiong (D)
District 45
Ann Stewart (D)
District 46
Ron Latz (D)
District 47
Vacant
District 48
Julia Coleman (R)
District 49
Steve Cwodzinski (D)
District 50
Alice Mann (D)
District 51
Melissa Wiklund (D)
District 52
Jim Carlson (D)
District 53
Matt Klein (D)
District 54
Eric Pratt (R)
District 55
Lindsey Port (D)
District 56
Erin Maye Quade (D)
District 57
Zach Duckworth (R)
District 58
Bill Lieske (R)
District 59
Bobby Champion (D)
District 60
Doron Clark (D)
District 61
Scott Dibble (D)
District 62
Omar Fateh (D)
District 63
Zaynab Mohamed (D)
District 64
Erin Murphy (D)
District 65
Sandra Pappas (D)
District 66
District 67
Foung Hawj (D)
Democratic Party (33)
Republican Party (32)
Vacancies (2)
