Simon Glaser

Simon Glaser earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1992 and a graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. His career experience includes working as an English teacher.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have been an educator for over 30 years, later serving as a union leader and community volunteer. I have done this because I was raised to believe we have a responsibility to repair the world and look out for our neighbors in need. I have always taken this commitment to public service to heart. Furthermore, I believe in giving a hard day’s work in exchange for good pay. However, in recent years I’ve watched as workers have been able to afford less and less in exchange for that work. The cost of food, housing, childcare and healthcare have all exploded, while wages and salaries have not risen nearly as much. One in four families are living paycheck to paycheck. In the wealthiest country in the history of the world, nearly everyone is making do with less, including our schools and the institutions we count on. Too often, our political leaders seem more concerned with winning than helping people. I want to create and support policies that put people first.

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?

Lower the Cost of Living: Today, costs continue to rise all around us - groceries, gas, housing, childcare, healthcare - everything. As a country we used to do a better job looking out for people who work for a living, and that is the conversation we should be having in St. Paul.Stop Fraud: Anyone who steals Minnesota tax dollars should expect to be prosecuted and jailed. These were my tax dollars and yours that were diverted from the people who needed them into the pockets of criminals. I plan to help build on the bipartisan work done in the last session to battle fraud to make sure that your tax dollars are protected.Fix our Broken Healthcare System: Our system does not work, and everyone knows it. I am open to any and all options that bring down costs for working people and allow them to see a doctor when they are sick. We cannot fix this mess overnight, but until we begin, too many will suffer with crushing medical bills and debt.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have always been passionate about pubic education. In addition I support the American labor movement, and will always fight to protect the rights of workers. Finally, I believe that the way we tax our citizens is a reflection of our values as a society, and a fair tax policy is one that allows regular workers to build and save while those do not need tax breaks pay their fair share.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

MN AFL-CIO, Education Minnesota, MN Association of Professional Employees, AFSCME Council 5 & 65, IBEW Local 343, Teamsters Joint Council 32, MN SEIU, MN Nurses Association, Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, National Association of Social Workers, Rochester Education Association, Sierra Club, Faith in Minnesota, Planned Parenthood of MN, North and South Dakota, Fairvote Minnesota, Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate