The candidates have made gun safety a priority in their campaigns across the state. As business owners, medical professionals, and public servants they understand the importance of protecting their communities. By supporting commonsense solutions like universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders, they will do their part in the fight against gun violence. Flipping the Senate is crucial in this year’s election as the Republican controlled Senate has blocked action on any gun safety measures for years. 

Aleta Borrud (Senate District 26)

Aleta Borrud is seeking to represent District 26 in the Minnesota Senate. Aleta was born in North Dakota and grew up attending public schools in Minnesota. Aleta was called back to Minnesota after graduating medical school, training in geriatrics at the Mayo Clinic. During her 19 years of practice, Aleta developed protocols to improve the safety of her patients and expand access to healthcare for rural communities. Aleta dedicates her free time to advocacy, leading initiatives alongside community organizations and unions. 

As a physician, Aleta is committed to ending the public health crisis of gun violence. As a candidate, Aleta supports commonsense measures including the implementation of background checks, extreme risk protection order laws, and investment in community violence intervention programs. Between her advocacy and public health background, Aleta is determined to push for lifesaving gun reform if elected to the Minnesota Senate. 

Bonnie Westlin (Senate District 34)

Bonnie Westlin is the Democratic nominee for District 38 in the Minnesota Senate. Upon receiving her undergraduate and law degrees from Hamline University in St. Paul, Bonnie became an attorney and started her own family legal practice. 

Bonnie’s expertise has granted her an important understanding of maintaining Second Amendment rights while supporting harm and risk-reduction measures. In an effort to prevent all too frequent acts of gun violence, Bonnie supports restricting firearm access to those convicted of domestic abuse, enacting extreme risk protection order laws, and raising the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21. Bonnie Westlin has spent her career representing others and is well equipped to do so in the Minnesota Senate by passing gun safety legislation.

Justin Stofferahn (Senate District 38)

Justin Stofferahn is running to represent Senate District 38 in Minnesota. Justin, who has long felt called to public service, studied political science and public policy before beginning his career at the Minnesota Department of Revenue. He currently works for the BlueGreen Alliance, developing federal policies to craft more sustainable infrastructure and create American jobs. In his free time, Justin is a small business advocate, as well as a member of the White Bear Township Economic Development Advisory Board and the Advisory Board of the Minnesota Main Street Alliance. 

To ensure his community’s safety, Justin supports commonsense gun violence prevention measures such as universal background checks and community violence intervention programs. If elected to the Minnesota Senate, Justin is committed to advocating for gun safety legislation and saving the lives of Minnesotans. 

Lindsey Port (Senate District 56)

Lindsey Port is the Democratic nominee for Senate District 56 in Minnesota. Lindsey is a nonprofit executive director who lives in Brunsville. Between her daughters attending Lakeville public schools and her husband’s local small business, Lindsey feels close to her community and is ready to fight for everyday Minnesotans. 

Lindsey supports lifesaving gun safety legislation to ensure the wellbeing of her community, including measures to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals convicted of hate crimes, strengthen anti-gun trafficking laws, and raise the minimum age to purchase a firearms. Lindsey Port can be trusted to fight for Minnesotans by pushing for gun violence prevention laws. 

Michelle Lee (Senate District 11)

Michelle Lee is seeking to represent Senate District 11 in Minnesota. Born and raised in Minnesota, Michelle attended a trade school to jumpstart her award-winning career in journalism. As a broadcast journalist, Michelle reported on critical issues, including healthy living and financial issues, and fundraised for the construction of a local animal shelter. Michelle left journalism in pursuit of improving her community as an activist.

Her experiences fighting for others have attuned Michelle to the needs of everyday Minnesotans. Michelle supports popular, commonsense gun safety measures such as extreme risk protection orders, universal background checks, and community violence intervention programs. Michelle will advocate for gun violence prevention legislation to keep her community safe. 

Sara Flick (Senate District 25)

Sara Flick is the Democratic nominee for Minnesota’s Senate District 25. Sara became the first in her family to receive her degree, graduating from the University of Missouri with her bachelor’s degree before receiving her master’s from Arizona State University. Inspired by her difficult upbringing, Sara is running to ensure that all Minnesotans can live up to their full potential.

Sara grew up hunting and was taught the importance of firearm safety from a young age. As a gun owner herself, Sara believes in responsible gun ownership to prevent senseless acts of gun violence. If elected to the Minnesota Senate, Sara will support legislation to require background checks and implement extreme risk protection orders. 

Susan Kent (Senate District 53)

Senator Susan Kent is running for a third term in the Minnesota Senate representing District 53. Susan has more than 20 years of private sector experience in strategic marketing and communications, which included working with corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in a range of industries and sectors. Prior to her election in 2012, she was active in her community, serving several roles in school district working groups and PTA, and as a volunteer prenatal counselor for high-risk women. Susan has been elected by her colleagues as a Minority Leader in the Senate DFL Caucus. 

Throughout her distinguished tenure at the Minnesota Senate, Susan has proven herself to be a strong gun safety reform advocate. Susan has co-authored key, lifesaving pieces of legislation to implement background checks on all firearm purchases and transfers and establish extreme risk protection order laws. Susan Kent’s focus has always been to build a strong, bright, and healthy future for all Minnesotans, which she will help ensure by pushing for gun violence prevention measures. 

Sarah Kruger (Senate District 28) 

Sarah Kruger is the Democratic nominee for Minnesota’s Senate District 28. Born and raised in Southeast Minnesota, Sarah spent her summers in rural Minnesota counties andnow works as a marketing and public relations consultant, primarily with medical professionals. Upon receiving her undergraduate degree from Smith College, Sarah completed her Master’s abroad in Barcelona, Spain. Working in the Dominican Republic, Sarah learned the importance of diverse approaches to problem solving, a lesson she will take with her to the Minnesota Senate. 

Sarah’s understanding of complex issues extends to the public health crisis of gun violence. Ready to utilize her experiences to ensure the safety of Minnesotans, Sarah supports commonsense gun safety measures including expanded background checks and extreme risk protection order laws. Sarah is ready to fight for Minnesotan values by protecting her community and championing gun violence prevention measures. 

Giffords is proud to endorse these eight candidates for the Minnesota Senate.