Bonnie Westlin
float:right; border:1px solid #FFB81F; background-color: white; width: 250px; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom:0px;
} .infobox p { margin-bottom: 0; } .widget-row { display: inline-block; width: 100%; margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px; } .widget-row.heading { font-size: 1.2em; } .widget-row.value-only { text-align: center; background-color: grey; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.value-only.white { background-color: #f9f9f9; } .widget-row.value-only.black { background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; } .widget-row.Democratic { background-color: #003388; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Republican { background-color: red; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { background-color: grey; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Libertarian { background-color: #f9d334; color: black; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Green { background-color: green; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-key { width: 43%; display: inline-block; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold; } .widget-value { width: 57%; float: right; display: inline-block; padding-left: 10px; word-wrap: break-word; } .widget-img { width: 150px; display: block; margin: auto; } .clearfix { clear: both; }
Bonnie Westlin (Democratic Party) is a member of the Minnesota State Senate, representing District 42. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. Her current term ends on January 5, 2027.
Westlin (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Minnesota State Senate to represent District 42. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Westlin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Westlin was a 2016 Democratic candidate for District 34 of the Minnesota State Senate.
Biography
Bonnie Westlin was born in Minnesota. She earned a bachelor's degree from Hamline University in 1992 and a law degree from the Hamline University School of Law in 1995. Her career experience includes working as an attorney and small business owner.[1]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Westlin was assigned to the following committees:
- Education Finance and Policy Committee
- State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee, Vice Chair
- Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee
color: #337ab7, }
Elections
2022
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Minnesota State Senate District 42
Bonnie Westlin defeated Paul Hillen in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 42 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bonnie Westlin (D)  | 57.7 | 23,752 |
 | Paul Hillen (R) | 42.3 | 17,395 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 19 | ||
| Total votes: 41,166 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Bonnie Westlin advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 42.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Paul Hillen advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 42.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
To view Westlin's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.
2020
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Minnesota State Senate District 34
Incumbent Warren Limmer defeated Bonnie Westlin in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 34 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Warren Limmer (R) | 50.7 | 29,347 |
| Bonnie Westlin (D) | 49.2 | 28,443 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 46 | ||
| Total votes: 57,836 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 34
Bonnie Westlin defeated Aarica Coleman in the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 34 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bonnie Westlin | 71.8 | 5,810 |
 | Aarica Coleman | 28.2 | 2,281 | |
| Total votes: 8,091 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 34
Incumbent Warren Limmer advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 34 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Warren Limmer | 100.0 | 3,875 |
| Total votes: 3,875 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
Endorsements
To view Westlin's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
2016
- See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Minnesota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016.
Incumbent Warren Limmer defeated Bonnie Westlin in the Minnesota State Senate District 34 general election.[2][3]
| Minnesota State Senate, District 34 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Warren Limmer Incumbent |
60.28% | 29,229 | |
| Democratic | Bonnie Westlin | 39.72% | 19,263 | |
| Total Votes | 48,492 | |||
| Source: Minnesota Secretary of State | ||||
Bonnie Westlin ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 34 Democratic primary.[4][5]
| Minnesota State Senate, District 34 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Bonnie Westlin (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Warren Limmer ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 34 Republican primary.[4][5]
| Minnesota State Senate, District 34 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Warren Limmer Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Bonnie Westlin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Westlin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I'm Bonnie Westlin. I’m a small business owner with my own family law and mediation practice. I’ve lived in the Northwest Metro for nearly 50 years and have deep ties to this community and the surrounding area. I’ve been a single mom most of my adult life and had to work hard to obtain an education, launch my own business, and care for my family. I’m running for the Minnesota Senate to represent the values, needs, and concerns I’ve heard from the people in my district.
- In our community, we believe every person should have the freedom to decide when and if to have a family; to vote for the government they want and deserve; and to marry the preson they love. The extremist GOP agenda would ban abortions in our state, limit the right to vote, and walk back fundamental freedoms like the right to marry. I will work to protect these freedoms for every Minnesotan.
- As a single mom, I understand the burdens that higher prices put on our family budgets. We have seen wealthy corporations use the pandemic to engage in price gouging resulting in record profits, while working people struggle to make ends meet. Wealthy corporations need to pay what they owe and contribute to the costs of a high quality public education system, infrastructure and the many other benefits they receive in Minnesota. I will work to make prices more affordable for Minnesotans and help create an economy that works for everyone.
- Our schools should have increased funding, higher teacher pay, and more school counselors to support our children. Extremists want to ban books, attack school boards and teachers, and instill extremist ideology in classrooms, driving many good educators away from teaching. I will work to ensure that every child receives a high quality public education that prepares them for success throughout their lifetime.
Protecting our freedoms and our democracy, including access to safe and legal abortion care; gun violence prevention; quality public schools for all of our children; affordable housing and livable wages; reversing the climate crisis; access to affordable healthcare; and public safety that works for everyone.
The governor and legislature should work in partnership to advance the policies that will address current and future needs of the people of Minnesota.
Absolutely. And I have developed excellent negotiation skills as an attorney and mediator. It is important that all stakeholders participate in decision-making, in good faith, and that the objective is to serve the people of this State.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2020
Bonnie Westlin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Westlin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
My name is Bonnie Westlin and I am running for Minnesota Senate District 34 which includes Maple Grove, Osseo, Dayton and Rogers. I have lived and been active in the community of Maple Grove for the last 16 1/2 years. While talking with voters I have learned a lot about their struggles and what they expect out of their elected officials. I can effectively represent their voice in the State Senate. I will advocate for our district's priorities and values, including making healthcare more affordable and accessible, ensuring all of our children have access to a quality education, and reducing gun violence in our communities.
As an attorney and trained mediator, I spend my days helping people find common ground and collaborate to resolve their disputes. I will bring these same skills to the State Senate and will work with all of my colleagues at the Legislature to move Minnesota forward and unite our state. This means listening to everyone's concerns and input, and then making the best decisions we can for all of Minnesota. I'm Bonnie Westlin and I'm asking for your vote, because I will work to find common ground and move Minnesota forward.
- I will work to pass legislation to lower the price of prescription drugs and also work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Minnesotans.
- I will work to fully fund our public education system, because every child should have access to a quality public education no matter where they come from or their circumstances.
- I will work to pass common sense gun safety legislation including expanded background checks and extreme risk protection orders so our community can be safe for all Minnesotans.
I am most passionate about passing common sense gun safety legislation. This issue is personal to me. My best friend died by suicide in 1991 using a gun he should never have had access to. I commit to passing common sense gun safety legislation to reduce gun violence in our communities. I have been an active member and a lobby coach for Moms Demand Action, and the first bill I will put my name on will be the expanded background check bill, with the second being the extreme risk protection order bill.
Sen. Paul Wellstone is one of my idols. Not only was Sen. Wellstone a great person, but he also worked extremely hard to move Minnesota forward. He made it a point to make every person he came in contact with feel special and ensured that their concerns were heard. These qualities made him an extremely effective Senator and an even better person. I would hope to follow his example of ensuring that all of my constituents feel heard and create an environment where we work together to move Minnesota forward.
One of the most inspiring books I have read in the past year was Eyes to the Wind by Ady Barkin. He has demonstrated such courage in the face of a horrible, terminal illness-ALS. Ady continues his advocacy to this day, even long after he could no longer speak without the use of a device and he was confined to a wheelchair, unable to move. Passion to serve and bring positive change into the world give life purpose.
Strong work ethic, honesty and a willingness to work to find common ground.
I believe that my most important quality is that I am an incredibly hard worker. As an attorney and mediator, I also have developed strong problem-solving skills and the ability to help people find common ground to resolve disputes. Our politics have become so divisive and our communities so fractured that we need people who have both the desire and the experience to effectively bridge differences and work toward real solutions. I have done that for my entire professional career and would bring that experience to bear on behalf of all Minnesotans.
Elected officials need to remember first and foremost that they are public servants, there to represent the interests of their constituents and to resolve issues and challenges that face the community and the state. Elected officials should seek input from all experts and stakeholders on a given issue and then make the best and most informed decision possible for the benefit of constituents.
I would hope that my legacy will be the work I accomplished to improve the lives of the people of my district and of the State of Minnesota. This would include effectively addressing our broken healthcare system, and passing gun violence prevention measures that save lives.
The House members are elected from 134 districts and each senate seat encompasses two of those house districts making the MN Senate the largest upper chamber of any state legislature. The Senate has advice and consent powers over some appointments by the governor. The House initiates revenue related bills.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Prior government service is by no means a requirement and coming to the legislative process without preconceived notions is probably beneficial. As a citizen legislature, each member brings her or his life and professional/vocational experience, their own understanding of the district they represent. There is plenty of precedent for legislators having no prior political or governing experience.
Over the next decade, our state will have to work hard to rebuild our economy following COVID-19, and take the lessons we have learned from this crisis to ensure solid contingency plans for any future challenge that may arise. We have to fix our broken healthcare system and reduce the costs for prescription drugs. Failing to address this will result in more families facing financial crises due to high premiums, high deductibles and inadequate coverage. We have to find a consistent funding mechanism for our public schools and once and for all eliminate the opportunity gap.
The next decade will also require that we reduce our carbon emissions and transition to clean energy and clean energy jobs.
I believe that the Governor and legislature should have a collaborative relationship built on trust and a desire to best serve the people of Minnesota, not score political points.
This is a crucial part of the legislative process, and something that is missing in our politics these days. Legislators need to develop a stronger sense of collegiality and basic respect for one another. Relationships built on trust can weather disagreements and that foundation of good will can help keep everyone focused on the ultimate goal: service to the people of Minnesota.
I would like to be on the judiciary committee, education and healthcare policy committees. But happy to serve where I can put my skills to their best use.
Yes, though as a freshman legislator that is not likely an opportunity that will present itself for some time.
As noted above, Senator Paul Wellstone was a personal hero. But looking at our state legislature, Rep. Lyn Carlson, the longest-serving member of the legislature, just retired. I lived in his district for many years and he was a quiet, hard-working man who did his best to work within his own caucus and across the aisle. He was always measured in his words, thoughtful and respectful.
Right now, I can't imagine running for something else 16 days out from the current election.
I spoke with a young mother whose husband died this spring from COVID-19. I was honored to be invited to his memorial service. It was a beautiful life cut short.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2016
Westlin's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[6]
| “ | My values match the values of this district. Education must be well-funded from early childhood through high school; we need to make postsecondary education affordable for everyone. Like many Minnesotans, my postsecondary education provided a way for me to transition from poverty to the middle-class but left me with a huge burden of debt. We must ensure the middle class isn’t priced out of the American Dream.[7] | ” |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Minnesota scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 3 to May 22.
|
See also
2022 Elections
External links
.contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}
.contact_office { margin-top: 0.3em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}
.external_links_table { width: auto !important; }
@media (max-width:600px) {
.contact_entity {font-size: 1.0em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em;}
.contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}
}
|
Candidate Minnesota State Senate District 42 |
Officeholder Minnesota State Senate District 42 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 30, 2022
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9, 2016
- ↑ Bonnie Westlin for MN Senate, "About Bonnie," accessed October 10, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jason Isaacson (D) |
Minnesota State Senate District 42 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
