STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES

Larry Anderson

Age: 60.

Address: 613 Kingwood St., Brainerd.

Position sought: House District 12A seat.

Party affiliation: Independence.

Occupation: Retired senior court manager, part-time consultant.

Education: BES, University of Minnesota.

Family: One son.

Why are you running for office?

"I'm concerned because of a lack of leadership resulted in the failure of the Legislature to pass a state budget. It's time for new leadership that will truly represent the voters. We need responsible government spending, affordable health care for all Minnesota citizens and quality education for our children. We need leadership that will put the needs of citizens first. Failure to pass the budget bill last session diminished the value of our tax dollar. It will cost us and our children more because our Legislature failed to do their job as representatives of the people in a timely manner."

What do you think is the most important issue facing the state?

"We must get a budget passed that will meet the needs of our citizens. If we don't, taxpayers will be paying a lot more for less. Current program funding should also be evaluated. We must meet the huge expense of education, health and human services, justice, transportation, and other government obligations and do so within the confines of our revenue receipts. Quality job creation for the Brainerd lakes area is also a top priority."

How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?

"I will do my best to ensure that the purpose of any funding request is clearly the best option possible and there is a revenue source to cover the bill. I will also review current government funding initiatives to make sure they are performing as expected and that they are still accomplishing the intended goal. If not, I will attempt to remove that expense. I will advocate for new business opportunities in the area."

Don Samuelson

Age: 72.

Address: 1018 Portland Ave., Brainerd.

Position sought: House District 12A seat.

Party affiliation: Democratic-Farmer-Labor.

Occupation: Bricklayer.

Education: High school.

Family: Married, four children, six grandchildren.

Candidate Web site: www.donsamuelson.homestead.com

Why are you running for office?

"I want to work to make things better for the citizens of our community and state. To improve educational opportunities for our children and the health care system for all Minnesotans. To be an advocate for the people of the district. Work to find ways to improve the job market in central Minnesota. Push for affordable home ownership for young families and speak up for those with disabilities and handicaps who need a helping hand. Serving and representing people is one of the most important things you can do."

What do you think is the most important issue facing the state?

"Health care and education. Health care is rising by nearly 12 percent per year since 1998. At this rate it will cost the average family $22,000 per year by 2010. Prescription drugs are averaging $61. Only five states are higher. The cuts made by the Legislature to education are wrong -- $185 million including special education, Head Start, early childhood development and summer school. The result: Larger class sizes and teacher layoffs."

How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?

"Restore the cuts to education and take the responsibility of the state for funding education seriously. All-day kindergarten, safe school zones, promotion of partnerships between schools, lower class sizes. Make the same discounts available for prescription drugs to consumers as we now do for HMOs and the government. Eliminate the arbitrary restrictions on MinnesotaCare for people with disabilities. Enable small businesses to purchase MinnesotaCare."

Paul Gazelka

Age: 45.

Address: 1045 Gilbert Shores Drive, Brainerd.

Position sought: House District 12A seat.

Party affiliation: Republican.

Occupation: Business owner, Paul Gazelka Insurance Agency.

Education: Bachelor's degree in business management.

Family: Married, five children.

Why are you running for office?

"Our area is rapidly changing and so are our needs. We need a legislator with a fresh outlook and the energy to tackle tough challenges. I will provide that fresh perspective and will work hard to ensure we continue to have good schools and job growth in our area. I will also work to drive down the cost of health insurance and prescription drugs in our state. This position is designed for citizen legislators. As a citizen legislator, I will use my leadership experiences in business, civic, church and community positions to represent our area with passion, energy and skill."

What do you think is the most important issue facing the state?

"Rising health care costs. The rising cost of health insurance and prescription drugs are two of the biggest challenges we are facing today in the state. When health insurance increases dramatically, salary increases for most employees are minimal. Many seniors live on fixed incomes and cannot afford the necessary prescription drugs they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle because the costs are too high. We must reduce these costs."

How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?

"My background in the health care industry helps me understand what we can do to lower the cost of health insurance and prescription drugs. Here are just some action steps we can take: Combine all government plans (including teachers, assuming cost savings) together to bargain for a better health insurance rate; limit the amount doctors and pharmaceuticals can be sued for punitive damages; and have one government agency oversee health care, instead of many."