The Housing First Political Action Committee, a committee of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), is proud to endorse 16 candidates for election and re-election to the Minnesota legislature. Housing First’s endorsement reflects each candidate’s commitment to a vibrant housing market that ties together the communities of our great state.
These candidates represent an opportunity for growth in the housing caucus, which is made up of leaders who are committed to our goal of building safe, smart and durable homes at a price that families can afford. The Housing First PAC endorsement process utilized a candidate questionnaire, analysis of a candidate’s voting record, personal interviews for first time candidates and proven demonstration for BATC’s policy platform. We look forward to working with these housing champions in the 2017 legislative session.
District 20A, Elko New Market
1st Term, Republican
“A strong housing market supports both spending & jobs in all sectors of the economy, and supports family.”
District 21A, Red Wing
Open Seat, Republican
“Roughly a quarter of the cost of a newly constructed home is due to excessive regulations. So it’s clear to me that if we don’t pay attention to that, we are restraining people’s ability to become homeowners. With the education debt burden already facing many millennials, home ownership has become an unattainable dream.”
District 31A, Crown
3rd Term, Speaker of the House, Republican
Speaker Daudt is a housing champion who has elevated the homebuilding industry with an emphasis on housing affordability and smart regulation.
District 34A, Rogers
6th Term, Majority Leader, Republican
A long-time industry champion, Majority Leader Peppin has authored multiple pieces of BATC legislation and been a vocal proponent of BATC’s housing platform.
Mike Nelson
District 40A, Brooklyn Park
7th Term, DFL
A long-time housing champion, supporting land use and sprinkler prohibition legislation as Chair and Caucus lead on the Government Operations Committee.
District 42A, Shoreview
2nd Time Challenger, Republican
“Construction in both the commercial and residential markets is critical to job growth as well as value creation for our communities – and our state. Economic growth is accomplished by job creation for which Minnesota’s housing market (buying, selling, building, home improvement investments) plays an integral role.”
District 47A, Waconia
1st Term, Republican
“While the housing market in my district 47A is growing and booming in fact, there are areas that housing is seeing a slowing due to high taxes, and as a result of developers and builders being given a difficult number of hurdles to jump over.”
District 49A, Edina
2nd Time Challenger, Republican
“Real estate and the related services and trade jobs are important to helping drive our economy forward.”
District 52B, Inver Grove Heights
Open Seat, Republican
“When the housing market improves, people become more comfortable with moving and building. When they’re concerned about the value of their home, which is their biggest investment, they don’t spend overall. A better housing market gives people the confidence to go out and patronize other businesses.”
District 56B, Burnsville/Lakeville
1st Term, Republican
“As a Realtor, I understand that homeownership is one way that a regular person can grow their wealth. As a long term investment, home equity can provide stability for retirement and other needs. Basically it is Economics 101.”
District 57B, Rosemount
2nd Term, Republican
“Taxes and regulations can make home ownership or remodeling prohibitively expensive for middle-class families. When housing is too expensive for families, middle-class families are squeezed the most, with many left unable to move from renting to home ownership. If we bring down costs associated with building, buying, or remodeling a home, we put home ownership in reach for many who might not otherwise have the opportunity.”
District 58A, Lakeville
1st Term, Republican
“I understand as a 20+ year professional in mortgage lending and real estate that home values and equity are the driver of families’ wealth and confidence. As homebuilding and the housing market strengthen after the crash we start to see the cycle improve and people are able to make moves and decisions that spur more economic activity.”
District 44, Plymouth
Open Seat, Republican
“Although the quality of life in MN certainly is a draw for many homeowners, the best way to improve the MN housing market is by holding down taxes and costly regulations, making homes more affordable for families.”
District 49, Edina
1st Term, DFL
“We need to promote investments in home ownership, remodeling and in neighborhoods. When people are financially invested in their community we all benefit by having safer neighborhoods and economic growth.”
District 55, Prior Lake
1st Term, Republican
“I routinely hear that affordable housing is out of reach for many families, yet there is a great demand. I hear from contractors that the policies that the state, regional and communities have placed on growth have had a negative impact on the ability to meet housing needs without subsidies and tax breaks.”
District 58, Lakeville
Open Seat, DFL
“A variety of market-rate housing is essential to a diversified economy and workforce. The direction of our housing market determines the potential of our workforce for area businesses.”
Housing First’s Criteria Used to Determine its 2016 Endorsements
The Housing First PAC uses specific criteria to determine its endorsements. These include: the candidate’s demonstrated support for housing issues, leadership on key housing issues, candidate electability, and a strong housing and business voting record for incumbent candidates. For incumbents, support on housing issues was determined by bill and amendment authorship, committee and floor discussion support, voting record and staff/consultant recommendation. For new candidates, BATC staff and member leadership interviewed all new candidates to discuss our industry and measure support on key regulatory and policy issues.
