In 2024, voters in Minnesota House District 32A will elect a representative. The candidates are:
About the candidate: Ashton Ramsammy grew up in Blaine, Minnesota, and has dedicated his life to serving his community. He comes from a family of Public Servants, Small Business Owners, and members of our Military. From volunteering at nursing homes since the age of 10 to working as an Employment Consultant for people with disabilities, Ashton’s commitment to others is evident. A graduate of Spring Lake Park High School, Ashton is currently studying Flute Performance and Philosophy with a concentration in Pre-Law, combining his love for the arts with his passion for justice. As the child of immigrants from Guyana, Ashton’s life has been shaped by his family’s experiences of hard work and perseverance, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing his community. His passion for helping others drives his campaign for State Representative, where he seeks to provide fresh, compassionate leadership that puts people over politics. Ashton believes in fighting for fully funded education, better healthcare access, and stronger workforce protections to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. He is committed to representing the voices of his community and focusing on practical solutions that prioritize their needs, moving away from divisive agendas.
Important Issues: Ashton’s legislative priorities focus on securing funding for critical infrastructure projects, particularly improving Highway 65 through Ham Lake and beyond, to enhance safety and reduce congestion. He is committed to fully funding education, ensuring that every student has access to quality schools, regardless of their background. Ashton also advocates for eliminating the tax on Social Security, helping recipients avoid the difficult choice between buying food or paying for housing.
Additionally, Ashton supports fair wages, workforce development, and local economic growth. He believes in creating opportunities for individuals to thrive by investing in small businesses and supporting workers. Ashton’s leadership is grounded in listening to the concerns of his community and promoting practical solutions. His goal is to ensure that every voice is heard and that policies truly reflect the needs of the people.
Goals if Elected: If elected, Ashton will prioritize improving local infrastructure, particularly by enhancing critical routes like Highway 65, and eliminating the tax on Social Security to ease the financial burden on seniors. He is dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Ashton will also work tirelessly to protect labor rights and promote fair wages, advocating for policies that foster local economic development and support small businesses. He understands that a strong economy relies on a robust workforce and is committed to providing resources for job training and skill development. Above all, Ashton aims to put the needs of his community first, focusing on meaningful, people-centered solutions that enhance the quality of life for all residents. He believes in a collaborative approach to governance, ensuring that every voice is heard in shaping the future of the community.
Endorsements: None listed.
Connect with Me: Did not respond.
Candidate Interview:
About the Candidate: Nolan, serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2017, brings a deep understanding of local issues, having experienced them firsthand as a lifelong Blaine resident. His initial legislative success was securing funding for the reconstruction of 105th Ave near the National Sports Center. Immediately following this, Nolan spearheaded the ongoing initiative to secure funds for Highway 65 improvements, which has resulted in over $200 million for a project to eliminate all traffic signals from 99th Ave to 117th Ave. Additionally, he’s been a persistent advocate for exempting all Minnesotans from state income taxes on Social Security benefits. While progress has been made in expanding exemptions each session, Nolan remains committed to ensuring no one pays this tax on their Social Security income.
When not working on legislative issues, Nolan operates a small media production business and spends time with his beautiful wife Megan and insanely adorable 1-year old Sibyl. Prior to being elected, Nolan worked at Geek Squad, Costco, and as committee staff in the Minnesota Legislature.
Important Issues:
- Affordability – From childcare to Netflix, Minnesotans have been paying more for everything. Our $18 billion dollar surplus could have provided relief, but instead government spending skyrocketed 38%. We need to make life affordable by investing in Minnesotans, not government.
- Prioritize Roads – It took years to get the $200+ million to fund Highway 65, and it shouldn’t have. The state has squandered millions on projects that make no sense. From a rail project in Eden Prairie that is $1.5 billion over budget to a $200 million train to Duluth that failed to get federal funding. We are wasting money that could be put to far more important infrastructure, like Highway 65.
- Fix Childcare – We need to reform childcare regulations that make care more expensive, and we need to focus on preventing abuse, not whether a toy has all its parts. We also should focus new funding on parents.
Goals if Elected: My goals include advancing childcare safety measures to guarantee that any abuse is effectively reported and prosecuted. Additionally, I aim to legalize sports betting in line with every neighboring state, ensuring that Running Aces is included in this economic opportunity. I remain dedicated to securing funding for the completion of Highway 65. My overarching commitment is to use your tax dollars wisely, either by returning them to taxpayers or by investing in initiatives that benefit all Minnesotans, rather than catering solely to well-connected special interests as we have seen the last two years.
Endorsements:
Teamsters Joint Council 32
Minnesota Peace and Police Officers Association
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #110
Minnesota Pipe Trades Association
Laborers’ International Union of North America, Minnesota and North Dakota
National Federation of Independent Businesses
International Union of Operating Engineers Local #49
MN Chamber of Commerce Leadership Political Action Committee
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
Minnesota Farm Bureau
Connect With Me:
Facebook: Rep. Nolan West
YouTube: RepNolanWest
X: West4MN
Web: Nolanwest.com
Email: Nolan@westformn.com
Candidate Interview:
