Education, jobs, health care important to Electric Fetus voters

October 19, 2010

By Nicholas Miller

DULUTH - With the upcoming governors race in Minnesota, local shops and hang outs such as Electric Fetus in downtown Duluth have become filled politically charged locals eager to share their opinions.

The issues people care about range from taxes to transportation to equality and agriculture, however the issues that came up almost universally were education funding, jobs, and health care. People are looking to the future with the education system and how it relates to jobs. “As a college student tuition is important, and as someone who intends to eventually raise a family the future of our education programs are important.” said UMD student Brittany Hecker.

Among the younger voters the future of jobs in Minnesota was a particularly important issue. Many of them attend one of the local area colleges and share worries that after graduation they won’t be able to start a career or pay back student loans. Others are looking further into the future and worry that they won’t be able to start and support a family if the current state of the job market is not improved.

But one issue that was shared between voters despite age was medical care. “Medical care is important as a national and state-wide issue whether it’s the ridiculous cost of insurance, the cost of drugs, or hospital funding.” said local Dylan Meyer. “The system itself is changing for both schools and hospitals, so I think as a state Minnesota should be on top of that.”

Voters were predominately fans of DFL candidate Mark Dayton. In fact, out of the fifteen people interviewed only two said that they intended to vote for REP. candidate Tom Emmer and no one was in support of third party or independent candidates.

However, out of the people interviewed only three people claimed to be democrats. The overwhelming response to the question of political affiliation was moderate or independent but with a liberal or democratic lean. When asked about third party candidates most were not aware of their names let alone their political stance.

The Duluth community certainly seems to agree on what they want in a political candidate. People agree that the education system and it’s funding needs to be fixed along with the job market in order for Minnesotans to have a bright future. Furthermore health-care is as important not just for the state but for the nation.