Democratic-Farmer-LaborINCUMBENT

Heather Gustafson

Minnesota State Senate District 36 2026 · 2026

↗ Official Website

Policy Positions

61%

Avg Confidence

Issue Areas

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Policy Positions

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Criminal Justice

1 position

Do you believe that repeat violent offenders should face longer mandatory minimum prison sentences than current law requires?

Support

Campaign PlatformCampaign platform emphasizes public safety with passage of $300M police/safety funding bill and stronger laws against domestic violence and sexual assault, suggesting support for tougher criminal justice measures, though no explicit statement on mandatory minimums for repeat violent offenders. Fact-check this →

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Drug Policy

1 position

Do you believe local governments should have the authority to prohibit cannabis retail businesses from operating within their jurisdictions?

Neutral

Party InferenceCandidate's campaign platform contains no statements on cannabis retail policy or local government authority over cannabis businesses; position inferred from DFL party baseline support for local control and cannabis legalization, but without direct evidence specific to this question. Fact-check this →

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Education

1 position

Would you support creating education savings accounts that give families the option to apply their share of state school funding toward tuition at a private school?

Oppose

Campaign PlatformCandidate's campaign platform emphasizes public school funding ($2.2 billion delivered), universal school meals, and strong public schools as a core priority, with no mention of or support for education savings accounts or private school funding mechanisms; DFL party baseline opposes ESA policies. Fact-check this →

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Environment

1 position

Do you believe Minnesota should keep its current law requiring all electricity delivered by utilities to come from carbon-free sources by 2040?

Support

Campaign PlatformCampaign platform states support for 'renewable energy projects that protect our environment' and 'funding for soil health, conservation, and renewable energy projects,' indicating support for clean energy transition, though no explicit statement on the 2040 carbon-free electricity requirement appears in available materials. Fact-check this →

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Gun Policy

1 position

Do you believe courts should have the authority to temporarily remove firearms from people determined by a judge to be a danger to themselves or others?

Support

Campaign PlatformCampaign platform explicitly lists 'red flag protections' among 'commonsense gun safety laws' supported by the candidate, indicating backing for temporary firearm removal authority. Fact-check this →

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Healthcare

1 position

Do you believe residents should have the option to purchase health coverage directly through a state-run insurance program if they choose?

Neutral

Party InferenceCampaign website lists healthcare priorities focused on prescription drug costs, child care, and reproductive rights, but contains no specific mention of state-run health insurance programs or public option proposals. Fact-check this →

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Housing

1 position

Would you support requiring cities to allow more than one housing unit on lots where only single-family homes are currently permitted by zoning rules?

Neutral

Party InferenceCampaign platform emphasizes housing affordability and cost relief but contains no specific statements on zoning reform, upzoning, or single-family zoning restrictions; position inferred from DFL party baseline on housing policy. Fact-check this →

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Immigration

1 position

Would you support a policy that allows residents to obtain a driver's license regardless of their immigration status?

Neutral

Party InferenceCampaign platform is silent on immigration policy and driver's license access; no voting record, public statements, or interest group ratings on this specific issue are provided; assignment reflects DFL party baseline on immigration liberalization with reduced confidence due to absence of candidate-specific evidence. Fact-check this →

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Infrastructure

1 position

Would you support a policy that dedicates metro-area sales tax revenue specifically to funding public transit expansion and operations?

Neutral

Party InferenceCampaign platform emphasizes infrastructure investments (local transit projects, clean water) and environmental protection, but contains no explicit statement on dedicated metro sales tax for transit expansion; inference based on DFL party baseline support for transit funding and Gustafson's stated priority for infrastructure and environmental sustainability. Fact-check this →

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Labor

1 position

Would you support continuing a state-run paid leave program that allows workers to receive benefits funded by employer and employee payroll taxes?

Support

Campaign PlatformCampaign website mentions Senator Gustafson was covered by MPR News on 'Paid Family Medical Leave' and voted affirmatively on related legislation, indicating support for state-run paid leave programs, though the website does not explicitly detail her position on employer/employee payroll tax funding mechanisms. Fact-check this →

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Social Security

1 position

Would you support a policy that fully exempts all Social Security benefits from Minnesota state income tax, regardless of how much income a recipient earns?

Support

Campaign PlatformCampaign platform explicitly states Gustafson passed 'Social Security Income Tax Cut – most seniors now pay no state tax on their benefits' and voted yes on Social Security tax relief, indicating support for reducing/eliminating Social Security taxation, though the platform does not specify whether this applies universally regardless of income level. Fact-check this →

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Taxes

1 position

Do you believe the state should establish an additional income tax bracket with a higher rate for income earned above one million dollars per year?

Neutral

Party InferenceCandidate's campaign platform emphasizes tax relief (Social Security tax cut, school meal tax savings) and fraud prevention, but contains no direct statements on progressive income tax brackets or millionaire tax rates; position inferred from DFL party baseline supporting progressive taxation, tempered by candidate's emphasis on bipartisan tax relief and fiscal responsibility. Fact-check this →