Karla Hult

Civil Rights

Adding to that – threats from the current Administration to the election process, and a system that has been overtaken by special interest money and influence since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, and it is clear that our democracy is under attack. Yet we the people have the power to change that – peacefully, both through the ballot box and by marching in the streets. I will fight every day to protect our fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to vote. Learn more

I’ll also support passage of an Equal Rights Amendment, which would protect Minnesotans against discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of pregnancy, gender, or sexual orientation, along with race, color, nationality, and disability status. I believe love is love, and everyone has the right to be their true, authentic self without fear of judgment, harassment, or worse – and I will fight to protect those rights as your Senator. Learn more

Education

From health care to education, access matters — and every child in Minnesota deserves access to excellent, well-funded public schools. I will fight to fully fund our public schools, reduce class sizes, expand mental health supports in our schools, and ensure students have the resources they need to succeed. Learn more

Environment / Energy

The 2040 carbon-free electricity standard passed by the DFL legislature in 2023 and signed into law by Gov. Walz recognized that truth, and is putting Minnesota on a path to a clean energy future, even while the federal government is actively undermining efforts such as these through their attacks on solar credits, EV incentives, and even wind energy. By leading on climate solutions at the state level, including state-funded clean energy incentives, we can grow our economy, create jobs, and leave our children a healthier, more sustainable future. Learn more

Minnesota is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and we have a responsibility to protect our natural resources – including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – for future generations. I support policies that will protect our clean water and air, preserve access to natural lands, and establish comprehensive guardrails for the rapid development of data centers throughout our state. I also adamantly believe in more investment in local solutions like community gardens, which allow urban areas to enjoy access to fresh produce year-round. When it comes to clean energy, I believe that environmental stewardship and economic opportunities are not mutually exclusive but go hand in hand. As one economist told me in the course of an interview after the Trump Administration first pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords, we can either produce clean energy domestically or we can import solar panels and other alternatives from our global economic competitors. Learn more

Guns

To be clear, this is not about taking guns away from hunters or those who own firearms legally and use them responsibly. It’s about setting clear, reasonable guardrails so weapons designed for war are not widely available and used in our communities; and it’s about putting the safety of our kids first. Learn more

Our children deserve to go to school without living in constant fear of gun violence. As a journalist, I’ve too often reported on the tragedy of gun violence – including recently in our own community – and listened to the pleas for action by parents and other advocates calling for strong, common-sense gun safety measures that will help save lives. I believe we must honor these families and survivors of gun violence through meaningful action. Like most Minnesotans, I supported the DFL legislature’s work to expand background checks and institute so-called red flag laws that allow law enforcement or family to legally keep firearms out of the hands of individuals exhibiting dangerous, crisis-driven behavior. To build on that progress, I will push for safe storage laws, limits on high-capacity magazines, and banning weapons that are fundamentally designed to inflict mass harm. Learn more

Healthcare

I not only profoundly believe that truth, our family lived it. We struggled during my father’s Alzheimer’s marathon, despite our relatively easy access to resources. That’s why I’ve long been an advocate on behalf of all families affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia AND all aging adults; again – every family, every adult, every child deserves access to high-quality, affordable, and trustworthy health care. Learn more

Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable, and trustworthy health care — no matter their age, income, or zip code. As your State Senator, I will fight to protect and strengthen Minnesota’s health care system, especially in this moment when historic federal cuts and other changes to Medicaid threaten to do long-term damage not only to our state budget, but more importantly, to vulnerable Minnesotans and their caregivers. This means lowering costs, protecting coverage for older adults and families, expanding access to mental health care, and ensuring rural and urban communities alike can see a provider when they need one – without worrying about if they can afford the care they need. Health care should be a right in Minnesota, not a privilege. And access to quality, affordable health care should remain a priority at every stage of life and through every chronic condition. Learn more

Housing

And yes, we need to make homeownership possible again. We need to protect renters and prevent unjust evictions. And we need to help seniors stay in their homes with dignity. I believe housing isn’t just about buildings; it’s about stability, opportunity, and independence. I’m ready to partner with all communities to take bold, practical action to make housing more affordable for everyone. Learn more

Housing is too expensive. And too many Minnesotans are paying the price, including in Senate District 50. Fortunately, leaders in both Bloomington and Edina continue to lead the way on how to make housing more affordable for everyone. We need to partner with these local leaders in considering all the options available to us, including: emergency rental assistance, land trusts, and building more housing where it makes sense — duplexes, townhomes, and starter homes. Learn more

Legislation

There’s no denying we’re at the start of another economic era in the United States – one that poses both great potential and significant risk. Minnesota could become a national leader by capitalizing on artificial intelligence through a balanced approach that begins with clear regulatory frameworks requiring transparency, accountability, and safety testing for high-impact AI systems. At the same time, we can further develop AI tools to play a positive role in research, education, and public-private partnerships – all of which would drive innovation and economic growth. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

Fiscal responsibility also means that our tax system is fair, which means closing tax loopholes that advantage large corporations over local small businesses, and ensuring that the wealthiest Minnesotans are paying their fair share in taxes. This is not about punishing success, but it is about recognizing that state investments in public education, health care, workforce training, transportation and more are what make Minnesota the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Learn more

Minnesotans deserve – and I believe all Minnesotans want – a state government that responsibly spends their hard-earned tax dollars. As your State Senator, I will be a careful steward of the taxpayer dollars and work across the aisle to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse. Fiscal responsibility means investing wisely in what works, demanding accountability, and making sure public dollars are used to serve the public good as intended. This not only honors the contributions of taxpayers, it also prevents the pause (caused by in-depth investigations) in vital community programs that serve the most vulnerable members of our community. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

Just as important, we must support our teachers — by fixing broken pension systems, improving pay and working conditions, and ensuring educators can retire with dignity instead of burnout. Investing in public education is investing in our future, and there’s work to be done to build on the historic investments made in our kids and their schools in the last biennium. Learn more

The PRO Act, one of the first bills passed and signed into law under DFL leadership in 2023, was a major win for women’s reproductive freedom. We must continue to fight back against any effort to undermine it at the state and, especially, at the federal level, where partisan threats to basic health care and funding for health care providers like Planned Parenthood are constant. Learn more