TJ Hawthorne

TJ Hawthorne was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Navy from 2001 to 2009. He earned a high school diploma from North High School. His career experience includes working as an engineer.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is TJ Hawthorne and I am not a typical politician. Minnesotans are tired of the same song and dance our Republicans and Democrats have been singing and dancing. I am not a rubber stamp for nonsense agendas that get us tangled into ratchetting up the state funded economy.

I have been an automation engineer for a local company out of Oakdale for more than 20 years, solving complex problems that have real world effects. Working closely with a city's public works department, as well as military officers while working as a DOD contractor. I have been very fortunate to have a career that brought me to so many places on the globe. I have seen and understand economies around the world and know that Minnesotans are ready to have their individual liberties back.

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?

Defend The Guard is a simple piece of legislation that can have real world effects on Minnesota, and all of America.

One paragraph that states:

The Minnesota National Guard will not be deployed into combat in another nation unless Congress declares War.

Something our congressmen and congresswomen have not done since any of us were alive...yet, we have been "at war" our entire lives.Family Matters -

Our family court system has a very twisted incentive structure. Ultimately, the state is paid more when there is more child support in the 'system'.

This incentive structure is the reason we have so many split families and division between two people that once loved each other.

Just like the military industrial complex, there is a family court industrial complex of sorts.

When the message is to keep children with their family but the actions are different, you follow the incentive.We are what we eat -

For generations, the government has been creating a giant regulating blanket over our food. In the name of "safety" for the consumer, we have allowed bureaucrats to control the nutrition we consume. The result is what everyone can see, but no one wants to admit. We are poisoning ourselves with almost every single bite we take.

At the same time, butcher shops and local dairies are being forced to shut down over arbitrary regulations. Again, all in the name of safety for the consumer.

This tells me the bureaucrats believe they know better than the individual...they do not. There is nothing a politician in St. Paul should be deciding for an individual in Oakdale, or Bemidji.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am an anti-war veteran and Defend the Guard is my #1 'passion'. I believe if we can stifle the growth of our world empire, we can actually be more prosperous in America & Minnesota.

Family court injustices are taking children away from parents and creating a weakened, less trustful society.

Food freedom is another passion of mine. I volunteer and sit on the board at my local food shelf and I can see what laws and regulations do to hinder our ability to get food to the people.

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

My father has always been honest with me, even when the truth isn't what I want to hear.

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

Thinking for yourself. I have never understood voting 'yay' for something I don't believe in.

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

Being honest. Again, something typically not happening...but needs to be.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Changing politics as we know it. Honesty is the best policy.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Dishwasher to cook at Jethro's in Mahtomedi. From 15-19 years old, I worked for this restaurant.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have a hard time saying "no" to someone in need. I get myself overbooked and take time away from loved ones.

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

The federal government's overreach and mishandling of our currency.

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

Compromise is absolutely necessary but there is a point where I will not give up my principles for a compromise. I have been able to figure out alternatives', instead of compromising, so all parties can be happy.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Libertarian Party of Minnesota

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

Fall of the Berlin Wall.

TJ Hawthorne did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am TJ Hawthorne and I am NOT a politician. I have had, and still have, a wonderful life full of good and bad times. I'm tired of the status quo in today's politics. I believe the people we have elected to protect our rights have done a very poor job. We have enabled the state to amass too much authority and I would like to begin rolling that authority back.

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?

Getting to the core of our problems, government education. School choice is the first step to true free market education.Cutting red tape laid down by the state. Small businesses are important to keep an economy going after the federal government put us in this position by printing fiat money.Defend the Guard. STOP sending Minnesota Guard troops to fight overseas and keep them home to defend OUR HOME.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Market regulations. When special interest lobbyists convince a legislator to create a law/regulation that ONLY corners that market for themselves and takes any opportunity for competition out.

Cannabis/Hemp is one example of market regulations, turned into law, that inhibited innovation in a market that has been wasted for years.

A lot of these regulations also apply in our medical industry. Doctors that want to help patients but may disagree with a central authority, are stifled and discredited. Then, the treatments are not produced because of actual misinformation.

I truly believe when people are incentivized to do good, they will do good...and vise versa.

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

My father has always been the person I've looked up to most. He has always been an honest man, even when it wasn't convenient. I like to follow his example of honesty being the BEST policy. Being honest and telling the truth about any situation or problem will result in the most efficient way to solve said problem.

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

Cooperation and Coercion by Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan.

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

Honesty is the BEST policy.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I guess that depends on what you consider 'historical'. I remember seeing Halley's Comet when I was six years old. Then, I remember the Berlin Wall being torn down when I was nine.

Of course, between both those events, the Twins won their first World Series and my dad said I was "Watching history" then so...

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Started as a dishwasher and ended doing everything other than managing employees at Jethro's (Now Quinny's) in Mahtomedi. I was hired the summer before freshman year and finally quit five years later.

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

The executive and legislative branches of government are meant to be separated. An ideal relationship would be that one would make sure the other does not take the power vested in them too far. If the legislature and governor agreed on everything, things could move too fast in one direction.

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

I believe the federal government has put our nation in a situation that our dollar is going to be worth less and less every day. I think the greatest challenge we will face in the next two years is going to be inflation of the US dollar. The best way to fight this invisible tax is to allow Minnesotans to create, build and run businesses how they believe they should. By cutting the arbitrary rules and regulations for licensing & zoning alone, will open up the opportunities for more free market solutions.

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

No. When someone begins to understand the ways to manipulate the system, they will take advantage. We need term limits for every single legislator.

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

Sure. No one wants to go to work with other people they don't like.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I think there can easily be an algorithm written to fairly draw the lines, according to population and city/county lines. This way, the gerrymandering by the governor doesn't take place.

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

No.

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

Not Minnesotan but Ron Paul is the only politician that I have seen that stayed aligned with his principles, always.

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

Yes.

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?

Yes. My next door neighbor's brother is spending 14 years in federal prison and was never caught in possession of the drugs he is serving time for. He was charged with 'conspiracy'.

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

Of course, compromise is necessary to come to an agreement between two individuals, or parties, that do not agree on how to accomplish a task. I do, however, believe there are some things that require standing on principles and not compromising on those principles.