Bonnie Westlin

Bonnie Westlin was born in Minnesota. She earned a bachelor's degree from Hamline University in 1992 and a law degree from the Hamline University School of Law in 1995. Her career experience includes working as an attorney and small business owner.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm Bonnie Westlin. I’m a small business owner with my own family law and mediation practice. I’ve lived in the Northwest Metro for nearly 50 years and have deep ties to this community and the surrounding area. I’ve been a single mom most of my adult life and had to work hard to obtain an education, launch my own business, and care for my family. I’m running for the Minnesota Senate to represent the values, needs, and concerns I’ve heard from the people in my district.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

In our community, we believe every person should have the freedom to decide when and if to have a family; to vote for the government they want and deserve; and to marry the preson they love. The extremist GOP agenda would ban abortions in our state, limit the right to vote, and walk back fundamental freedoms like the right to marry. I will work to protect these freedoms for every Minnesotan.As a single mom, I understand the burdens that higher prices put on our family budgets. We have seen wealthy corporations use the pandemic to engage in price gouging resulting in record profits, while working people struggle to make ends meet. Wealthy corporations need to pay what they owe and contribute to the costs of a high quality public education system, infrastructure and the many other benefits they receive in Minnesota. I will work to make prices more affordable for Minnesotans and help create an economy that works for everyone.Our schools should have increased funding, higher teacher pay, and more school counselors to support our children. Extremists want to ban books, attack school boards and teachers, and instill extremist ideology in classrooms, driving many good educators away from teaching. I will work to ensure that every child receives a high quality public education that prepares them for success throughout their lifetime.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Protecting our freedoms and our democracy, including access to safe and legal abortion care; gun violence prevention; quality public schools for all of our children; affordable housing and livable wages; reversing the climate crisis; access to affordable healthcare; and public safety that works for everyone.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The governor and legislature should work in partnership to advance the policies that will address current and future needs of the people of Minnesota.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely. And I have developed excellent negotiation skills as an attorney and mediator. It is important that all stakeholders participate in decision-making, in good faith, and that the objective is to serve the people of this State.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Bonnie Westlin and I am running for Minnesota Senate District 34 which includes Maple Grove, Osseo, Dayton and Rogers. I have lived and been active in the community of Maple Grove for the last 16 1/2 years. While talking with voters I have learned a lot about their struggles and what they expect out of their elected officials. I can effectively represent their voice in the State Senate. I will advocate for our district's priorities and values, including making healthcare more affordable and accessible, ensuring all of our children have access to a quality education, and reducing gun violence in our communities.

As an attorney and trained mediator, I spend my days helping people find common ground and collaborate to resolve their disputes. I will bring these same skills to the State Senate and will work with all of my colleagues at the Legislature to move Minnesota forward and unite our state. This means listening to everyone's concerns and input, and then making the best decisions we can for all of Minnesota. I'm Bonnie Westlin and I'm asking for your vote, because I will work to find common ground and move Minnesota forward.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will work to pass legislation to lower the price of prescription drugs and also work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Minnesotans. I will work to fully fund our public education system, because every child should have access to a quality public education no matter where they come from or their circumstances. I will work to pass common sense gun safety legislation including expanded background checks and extreme risk protection orders so our community can be safe for all Minnesotans.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about passing common sense gun safety legislation. This issue is personal to me. My best friend died by suicide in 1991 using a gun he should never have had access to. I commit to passing common sense gun safety legislation to reduce gun violence in our communities. I have been an active member and a lobby coach for Moms Demand Action, and the first bill I will put my name on will be the expanded background check bill, with the second being the extreme risk protection order bill.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Sen. Paul Wellstone is one of my idols. Not only was Sen. Wellstone a great person, but he also worked extremely hard to move Minnesota forward. He made it a point to make every person he came in contact with feel special and ensured that their concerns were heard. These qualities made him an extremely effective Senator and an even better person. I would hope to follow his example of ensuring that all of my constituents feel heard and create an environment where we work together to move Minnesota forward.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

One of the most inspiring books I have read in the past year was Eyes to the Wind by Ady Barkin. He has demonstrated such courage in the face of a horrible, terminal illness-ALS. Ady continues his advocacy to this day, even long after he could no longer speak without the use of a device and he was confined to a wheelchair, unable to move. Passion to serve and bring positive change into the world give life purpose.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Strong work ethic, honesty and a willingness to work to find common ground.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe that my most important quality is that I am an incredibly hard worker. As an attorney and mediator, I also have developed strong problem-solving skills and the ability to help people find common ground to resolve disputes. Our politics have become so divisive and our communities so fractured that we need people who have both the desire and the experience to effectively bridge differences and work toward real solutions. I have done that for my entire professional career and would bring that experience to bear on behalf of all Minnesotans.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Elected officials need to remember first and foremost that they are public servants, there to represent the interests of their constituents and to resolve issues and challenges that face the community and the state. Elected officials should seek input from all experts and stakeholders on a given issue and then make the best and most informed decision possible for the benefit of constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would hope that my legacy will be the work I accomplished to improve the lives of the people of my district and of the State of Minnesota. This would include effectively addressing our broken healthcare system, and passing gun violence prevention measures that save lives.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The House members are elected from 134 districts and each senate seat encompasses two of those house districts making the MN Senate the largest upper chamber of any state legislature. The Senate has advice and consent powers over some appointments by the governor. The House initiates revenue related bills.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Everyone has to start somewhere. Prior government service is by no means a requirement and coming to the legislative process without preconceived notions is probably beneficial. As a citizen legislature, each member brings her or his life and professional/vocational experience, their own understanding of the district they represent. There is plenty of precedent for legislators having no prior political or governing experience.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Over the next decade, our state will have to work hard to rebuild our economy following COVID-19, and take the lessons we have learned from this crisis to ensure solid contingency plans for any future challenge that may arise. We have to fix our broken healthcare system and reduce the costs for prescription drugs. Failing to address this will result in more families facing financial crises due to high premiums, high deductibles and inadequate coverage. We have to find a consistent funding mechanism for our public schools and once and for all eliminate the opportunity gap.

The next decade will also require that we reduce our carbon emissions and transition to clean energy and clean energy jobs.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

I believe that the Governor and legislature should have a collaborative relationship built on trust and a desire to best serve the people of Minnesota, not score political points.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

This is a crucial part of the legislative process, and something that is missing in our politics these days. Legislators need to develop a stronger sense of collegiality and basic respect for one another. Relationships built on trust can weather disagreements and that foundation of good will can help keep everyone focused on the ultimate goal: service to the people of Minnesota.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would like to be on the judiciary committee, education and healthcare policy committees. But happy to serve where I can put my skills to their best use.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Yes, though as a freshman legislator that is not likely an opportunity that will present itself for some time.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

As noted above, Senator Paul Wellstone was a personal hero. But looking at our state legislature, Rep. Lyn Carlson, the longest-serving member of the legislature, just retired. I lived in his district for many years and he was a quiet, hard-working man who did his best to work within his own caucus and across the aisle. He was always measured in his words, thoughtful and respectful.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Right now, I can't imagine running for something else 16 days out from the current election.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I spoke with a young mother whose husband died this spring from COVID-19. I was honored to be invited to his memorial service. It was a beautiful life cut short.

Westlin's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[6]

My values match the values of this district. Education must be well-funded from early childhood through high school; we need to make postsecondary education affordable for everyone. Like many Minnesotans, my postsecondary education provided a way for me to transition from poverty to the middle-class but left me with a huge burden of debt. We must ensure the middle class isn’t priced out of the American Dream.[7]