LibertyAction.com

Radio talk show host, Tom Emmer, is running to replace the retiring Rep. Michele Bachmann and will provide a major upgrade to the people of Minnesota.

Emmer, a candidate for governor in 2010 and a former state legislator, has promoted legislation to expand individual rights, restrict government regulation, and reduce state spending. And as a member of Congress, he will stand up to the Republican establishment, protect the 10th Amendment, and become a leading voice for liberty on Capitol Hill. He believes every bill presented to Congress must be approached through a thorough understanding of the Constitution and its limitations on federal powers.

In office, Emmer's votes will most likely align with Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Justin Amash. He believes the budget needs to be cut drastically, including the defense budget; he believes the Federal Reserve needs to undergo a full audit, as well as many other federal agencies; he opposes the federal government's attempts to erode our civil liberties through the PATRIOT Act, unconstitutional government spying programs, and the NDAA's indefinite detention clause; he opposes a nation-building foreign policy and understands only Congress can declare war. He is also a strong supporter of the 10th Amendment and believes the federal government needs to return powers not outlined in the Constitution back to the states. Regardless of his personal position on the matter, he rightly believes the federal government has no constitutional authority to regulate marijuana policy, nor the institution of marriage. In office, he would support legislation that seeks to return these policies to the state level. Because of these stances and his votes in the state legislature, Emmer is a vote we can count on to uphold the position of liberty on every issue -- economic policy, civil rights, and foreign policy.

CANDIDATE'S COMMITMENTS TO OUR PRINCIPLES

In Washington, Mr. Emmer will:

• Co-sponsor a bill to audit the Federal Reserve
• Support a balanced budget amendment and oppose all efforts to increase taxes
• Promote a non-interventionist foreign policy and oppose nation-building
• Support ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Retain Congress' constitutional prerogative to declare war
• Support privacy rights guaranteed by the 4th Amendment
• Oppose unconstitutional government spying, the PATRIOT Act, and indefinite detention authorized by the NDAA
• Oppose restrictions on Internet freedom
• Support federalism on all legislation not specifically authorized in the Constitution
• Support repealing Obamacare
• Support the 2nd Amendment

IN THE CANDIDATE'S OWN WORDS

I believe in representing people, not government. As a legislator, my philosophy is to apply the U.S. Constitution to each bill presented before me. Finally, I believe our founders gave the states the right to govern their affairs as they see fit.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE'S RACE

In addition to a solid background on policy positions, Emmer is also in a unique position in that his support is wide and varied. He is strongly supported by the liberty-leaning factions and groups within the state, including the most active Ron Paul supporters in Minnesota and Liberty Action Fund-endorsed 2012 U.S. Senate candidate Kurt Bills. He is also supported by Republican Party activists in the district, enjoys high name recognition from his 2010 gubernatorial race and years spent as a conservative radio talk-show host, and is leading in fundraising prowess.

Rep. Bachmann’s decision not to seek re-election has led Democrats to largely abandon this race in 2014. While closely contested in 2012, this district heavily favors the Republican candidate -- it’s rated R+10. Rep. Bachmann’s retirement actually increases the chances a Republican will hold this seat in 2014, as her favorability in the district is so low, she scraped by with only 50.5% of the vote in 2012 despite spending tens of millions on her race. Her Democrat opponent got 49.3% of the vote in 2012 -- in the previous election cycle, the Democrat received only 39.8%.

This means that this race will be largely determined by the Republican primary process. There's a unique nominating process in Minnesota. On February 4, 2014, the Republican Party elected its local and state delegates and chose overwhelmingly to nominate Emmer. But this is just a party endorsement. Emmer will battle the other contenders in an Augus primary -- normally a party's endorsement is all one needs to earn the nomination, but if his challengers refuse to abide by the party's decision, they can force a more heated electoral contest at that time.

The opportunity to replace retiring Rep. Michele Bachmann with a liberty candidate -- in a safe seat -- means we will have a principled advocate as part of the House Liberty Caucus for years to come. Emmer has the grassroots support and works well within the Republican Party. All he needs to win this seat is the financial support from constitutional, conservative, and libertarian donors.