First-term Minnesota Sen. Judy Seeberger was criticized on Twitter Sunday when she described herself as a “moderate” who wishes her party would pass more “moderate” legislation.
“I feel it’s important to point out that there are a few moderate lawmakers who wish we were passing bills that were a little more, you know, moderate,” Seeberger, a Democrat from Afton, wrote on Twitter.
Her comments were made in response to Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin, who said Minnesota is “delivering a more progressive agenda” than any state in the country.
I feel it's important to point out that there are a few moderate lawmakers who wish we were passing bills that were a little more, you know, moderate. #mnleg https://t.co/kiWuzaaoa1
— Judy Seeberger (@JudySeeberger) April 30, 2023
Martin shared a link to an NBC News article describing Minnesota as a “laboratory in pushing progressive policy.” Seeberger has been a reliable “yes” vote on nearly all of the policies cited in the article (some haven’t been to the Senate for a vote yet).
She votes “yes” on:
- The Protect Reproductive Options Act, which enshrines the right to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy in state law;
- A “trans refuge” bill, which seeks to make Minnesota a “safe haven” for children seeking gender transitions;
- The “Reproductive Freedom Defense Act,” which protects women who come to Minnesota for abortions;
- A bill to legalize recreational marijuana use;
- The “Democracy for the People Act,” which allows 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote;
- An elections omnibus bill that does away with the Electoral College in favor of a national popular vote;
- A bill to restore voting rights to felons who are on probation or parole (one Republican voted in favor of the bill);
- A bill to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants;
- A bill that will require Minnesota’s electricity grid to be 100% carbon-free by 2040;
- A bill to provide free lunch and breakfast to all Minnesota students regardless of family income (three Republicans voted in favor of the bill).
With two exceptions, had Seeberger voted “no” on these bills, they would not have passed, since her party has just a one-seat majority in the Senate.
Seeberger represents Senate District 41, a swing district that she won over Republican Tom Dippel by just 321 votes last November.
Hank Long contributed to this report.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
