Erin Maye Quade

Erin Maye Quade was born in Apple Valley, Minnesota. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas in 2008. Quade's career experience includes working as a nonprofit director.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a former State Representative and current non-profit executive and policy professional running to represent District 56 in the Minnesota Senate. I'm a lifelong Apple Valley resident and graduate of Greenleaf, Falcon Ridge, and Eastview schools. I love our community, which is why my wife, Alyse, and I are proud to be raising our daughter here. When I was elected to the State House in 2016, I was the only DFL candidate to flip a district from red to blue. During my time at the capitol, I successfully passed bills through a Republican-controlled legislature. Currently, I lead the largest reproductive health, rights, and justice coalition in our state. Like many of you, I know that this moment is too important to sit on the sidelines. As a dedicated and proven leader, I’m running for the Minnesota Senate to continue being a champion for our community and to advocate for policies driven by the needs of people, not partisanship.

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?

Erin is a proven leader who delivered for our district as a State Representative. She was able to pass legislation that expanded tax benefits for the spouses of disabled veterans, created a program to support first-time homebuyers, and secured funding for our community through a Republican-controlled legislature.Now is not the time for business as usual. We need leaders who will stand up and fight for us- even when it's not politically convenient. That's exactly what Erin has done throughout her career. As an elected official and as a reproductive justice leader, Erin has built winning coalitions and been an outspoken advocate on the issues that matter most to Minnesotans..If elected, Erin will be the first Black woman in the Minnesota Senate and the first our lesbian. Her campaign is historic.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Putting Children & Families First: I look forward to building upon my work in the House to ensure paid family and medical leave, end gun violence, expand childcare assistance, and fund our parks and the MN Zoo. I authored the bills to create paid family and medical leave and require universal background checks on all gun sales.

Lowering the Cost of Goods & Services: When it comes to our economy, we must stand up to corporate greed and reign in the costs of goods and services, from baby formula to housing and healthcare. Families shouldn't have to choose between diapers and their mortgage.

Fully Fund Our Public Schools: Our students and teachers deserve fully funded schools. We cannot expect kids to learn or teachers to be at their best without adequate resources. In the house, I authored a bill to dramatically increase funding for our schools and to fully fund special education.

Defending Our Democracy: The right to vote is sacred. We cannot allow falsehoods and conspiracy theories to undermine that. We must protect and expand voting rights in MN.

Protecting Reproductive Rights: States must fight to protect and expand access to abortion care. I've spent the last 4 years building a coalition to prepare for this very moment.

Serving Our Veterans: As a member of the House Veterans committee I successfully passed legislation to expand tax benefits for the spouses of disabled veterans. There is so much more we must do to fulfill our promise to our veterans when they get home.

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

Yes, in fact, it's crucial. I built successful relationships during my time in the House both within my own party and across the aisle. These relationships were critical to my legislative victories. They were the reason I could offer bipartisan bills on gun control, veterans issues, and more.

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

Education Finance and Policy, Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy, and Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy

Obama endorsement

During the 2016 election cycle Quade was one of the candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama

Full list of Obama's 2016 endorsements

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

Opportunity and prosperity

Excerpt: "Opportunity in Minnesota is driven by an economy that works for everyone. We can’t put large corporate wealth ahead of the thriving small businesses and middle class families that fuel our economy. Erin will fight to make sure that everyone has opportunities to succeed. We can start by passing equal pay for equal work for women, paid sick and family leave and creating opportunities for small businesses to create new jobs."

Safe and healthy communities

Excerpt: "Our community works best when families are safe and healthy. Erin Maye Quade is committed to doing all she can to pass common-sense reforms that keep guns out of the hands of criminals, the dangerously mentally ill and domestic abusers. Minnesota needs to fully fund programs for those struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse."

Protecting women's health and choice

Excerpt: "Women and their doctors should make healthcare decisions. Not politicians. Erin will fight to make sure that no woman is denied access to reproductive health care and that partisan attempts to defund Planned Parenthood and other providers are never successful."