Select MN and WI Federal Candidates' Stance on Wolf Issues

Minnesota’s First Congressional District

Congressman Tim Walz, incumbent Democrat, represents the entire southern strip of Minnesota – from Winona, to Rochester, to Mankato, to Worthington. He’s known as more moderate Democrat who champions veterans and farming issues. Congressman Walz is again facing Republican Jim Hagedorn, whom he beat in 2014 by 54 to 45 percent. As he seeks re-election, Congressman Walz is strongly favored to win over Hagedorn.

Congressman Walz has voted in support of pro-wolf amendments this summer in 2016, along with other Democrats, cited here. However, he’s also an original co-sponsor of a bill to legislatively remove the western great lakes (Minnesota) and Wyoming wolf from federal Endangered Species Act protections, which would most likely mean state-sponsored wolf trophy hunting again in Minnesota. Howling For Wolves looks forward to talking more with Congressman Walz in the coming months.

Minnesota’s Second Congressional District

This congressional district is in the southern communities of the Twin Cities (Shakopee, Eagan, Prior Lake, Savage, Lakeville, Burnsville, Red Wing) and is an open seat due to Republican John Kline’s retirement. Former radio talk show host Jason Lewis, the Republican, is facing Democrat Angie Craig, a former executive at St. Jude Medical. Because both candidates have not held  elected office, neither has a voting record on wolf-related issues. The general election race is considered a toss-up.

Angie Craig has stated that she supports environmental protections for people and for wildlife. Based on Craig’s public comments, we think she will support the endangered species act and policies that recover the wolf if elected to the United States House of Representatives.

Minnesota’s Third Congressional District

Incumbent Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen is being challenged by Democratic state Senator Terri Bonoff. This congressional district, on the western and northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, is considered a swing district although Paulsen has held the seat for eight years.

Paulsen, while in Congress has voted several times against the wolf. More information on his specific anti-wolf votes can be found here and here.

Bonoff, while a state senator, was a co-author of the HFW-supported bill to reinstate the five-year moratorium on wolf hunting. Bonoff has expressed, both through her votes and her words, that she supports the wolf.

Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional District

Incumbent Democrat Congressman Betty McCollum is a consistent and outspoken champion for the wolf. She not only has a strong voting record in support of pro-wolf policies, but has been a passionate advocate around the state. Betty McCollum also authored pro-wolf amendments, such as one to strip all legislative riders (also referred to as poison bills) from bills in Washington, DC. More information can be found here and here.

McCollum is seeking re-election and her seat is considered “safe.” She faces Republican small business owner Greg Ryan.

Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District

The Minneapolis area largely makes up Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District which has been represented by Democrat Congressman Keith Ellison for 10 years. He has voted in support of pro-wolf amendments and he is a friend of the wolf. Ellison is strongly favored to win re-election against Republican Frank Nelson Drake.

Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District

Congressman Tom Emmer is running for re-election to his second term representing Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District, which includes most or all of Benton, Carver, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Anoka, and Washington counties. Congressman Emmer has voted several times against pro-wolf amendments, and is also the original co-sponsor of a bill to delist the Great Lakes’ wolf from federal Endangered Species Act protections, which would mean state-sponsored wolf trophy hunting again in Minnesota. He is not a friend of the wolf. Congressman Emmer faces Democratic challenger David Snyder, an army veteran and union iron worker from Carver. Public statements by Snyder indicate that he thinks the wolf continues to need federal protections.

Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District

Congressman Rick Nolan, a Democrat in his second term representing a district spanning from the northern exurbs of the Twin Cities all the way to the Iron Range, has a mixed record of supporting wolves. He has supported some environmental policies and voted in favor of three pro-wolf amendments, but he is the co-author of the bill that would remove federal Endangered Species Act protections for the Great Lakes wolf, essentially placing the wolf back under state control where a wolf trophy hunt is expected.
Challenger Stewart Mills, a Republican who is taking on Nolan for the second time, has expressed his support for wolf-killing policies and would not be a friend of the wolf if he were elected. Mills has published an opinion on Safari Club International’s website about why the wolf should be hunted. Also here is Mills' opinion on his campaign website.

Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson is facing Democratic challenger Russ Feingold – a rematch from 2010. Previously, Feingold represented Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate for 18 years.

Disappointingly, Senator Johnson sponsored the bill in the Senate that would remove federal Endangered Species Act protections for the Great Lakes wolf, which would essentially re-start wolf trophy hunting in many states. Johnson has spoken publicly in favor of wolf killing.

Feingold has previously supported wolf policies and is a friend of the wolf. He has noted his respect for the federal judge’s ruling on wolves. Feingold believes endangered species should be managed on a national level.