Q&A: Andrew Brobston, DFL Candidate for Senate District 58

Two candidates are vying for your support as representative of Senate District 58, which includes the Dakota County precinct of Northfield.

The two candidates are:

• Andrew Brobston
• Dave Thompson

Patch asked candidates to respond to a series of questions. Below, you will find responses from Brobston, the DFL-endorsed candidate. Responses are written by the candidates and have not been edited by Patch.

You can also find out more information about the candidates by checking out our election guide for all election-related stories.

Andrew Brobston

Age: 34
Family: None in Minnesota.
Education: Doctor of Musical Arts, saxophone performance, University of Minnesota (coursework completed 2008; thesis completion remains to finish this degree).  Master of Fine Arts, saxophone performance, University of Iowa (2006).  Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music, Wartburg College (2000).
Occupation: Software developer, small-business owner, and former public and private school music teacher.
Political experience:  First-time candidate for public office.

Why are you running for the Minnesota Senate? What do you offer to Senate District 58?

Like many people I know, I have been frustrated with our state government.  We had a government shutdown over party politics and an unwillingness to work together for Minnesotans.  As a software developer, I solve problems every day by working together with people to meet as many of their interests as I can.  I saw the chance to make a difference by taking this brand of problem-solving to Saint Paul.  Minnesotans deserve better than gridlock, and the people of District 58 deserve a Senator who will actively work for all of us instead of just for one party or another.

What’s the most pressing issue facing the state? Senate District 58?

When I talk with voters at their doors, when they identify an issue with the state, the most common issue they raise is education.  (This is not a guess; I actually keep track.)  Our Minnesota Constitution requires the Legislature to provide for a "thorough and efficient system of public schools."  We are no longer meeting this obligation, at least not in intent.  This issue is pressing because our kids cannot wait for us to provide an education that will allow them to participate fully in Minnesota's economic future.  We need to pay back the $2.4 billion that the state borrowed from its schools.  It is wrong for local taxpayers to have to pay interest on money that the schools borrow just to meet operating expenses.  Many taxpayers in Senate District 58 are in exactly this situation, since the Farmington, Lakeville, Cannon Falls, and Kenyon-Wanamingo school districts have all had to borrow according to the latest information I have.

The second- and third-most-raised issues are fiscal responsibility and partisan gridlock, respectively.  Solving the state’s budget and deficit situation will certainly consume a large share of the next legislative session, and it is imperative that we begin work on these issues right away.

What is something you think the current Legislature has done well?

I was pleased to see that a bipartisan disaster relief bill passed during this year’s special session with a minimum of strife.  I hope that, should similar circumstances occur in our district, Minnesota would help us as needed.  It is unfortunate that my opponent did not vote for this bipartisan bill. 

What is something you think the current Legislature hasn’t done well?

The Legislature has been dominated by partisan bickering instead of by working together for the people of Minnesota.  The state government shutdown last year was inexcusable. Helping to fix this breakdown in our Legislature is a major reason that I am running for State Senate.

What would you have tried to do differently?

I would have tried to problem-solve by:

1. finding the specific areas of disagreement in the budget proposals;
2. talking to my colleagues in both parties and to voters about their views on these areas of disagreement;
3. trying to determine the interests behind those views;
4. proposing a variety of solutions that could best meet the most interests; and
5. working within my party and with the other party to choose a solution, which could certainly be something other than what I proposed.

I realize that this approach may sound very basic, and it is basic.  I think the Legislature would do a much better job for the people of Minnesota by trying this problem-solving framework, and it does not appear that all legislators in either party have adopted this idea.

How would you describe the relationship between the Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton?

This relationship has been strained and unreasonably adversarial.  While certainly a GOP-majority Legislature and a DFL Governor are going to disagree on some issues, the disagreements have become destructive to the state.  Healthy disagreements should be a good thing, actually, since they encourage consideration of a wide variety of interests and viewpoints of people in this state.  It has not appeared that the disagreements have been healthy, though.  Instead of using disagreement to consider better solutions, the parties to disagreement have taken locked-down stances, often refusing to budge on any position.  This situation needs to change.

Why should constituents vote for you on Election Day? What makes you a better choice than your opponent?

We need a Senator that will work with others in the Legislature to get things done.  We need a Senator who will work for the people of District 58, not just for his political party.  We need a Senator who can solve problems, since that is the core work of the Legislature.  I solve problems every day.  I will not create the appearance of ethical problems by accepting money from my party as a consultant, unlike my opponent.  I will treat my constituents with courtesy and dignity, regardless of how much our views differ.

Of course, I do not know for sure how my opponent will choose to answer this question or whether he will choose to answer it at all. If he decides to talk about the DFL rather than about the ideas I am proposing, be sure to evaluate whether his concerns address any of my actual positions. Voters frequently tell me that they wish to vote for the person, not the party. Both good and bad ideas come from legislators of both parties. With that in mind, if my opponent chooses to tell you why you should not elect a DFL legislature instead of why you should elect him or not elect me, you can see that his answer misses the point and shows that he may not be willing to work together for all people in the district.

Anything else you would like to add?

It has been an honor to meet so many of you in the district, and I only regret that I cannot personally get to every door this year.  If you have any questions for me, I would love to hear from you at Andrew@BrobstonForSenate.com or (651) 321-4371. You can also find more information at AndrewBrobstonForSenate.com. I hope that I have earned your vote on November 6, and I look forward to showing that your support of my candidacy is well-placed.

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