ROCHESTER — GOP state Sen. Carla Nelson and DFL challenger Aleta Borrud debated a range of issues Tuesday, including health care, election integrity, guns, abortion and legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes, agreeing on a few things and offering a sharp contrast to voters.
The contest between the two women to represent Senate District 24 is a reprise of the 2020 election. Nelson, who has served in the Minnesota Senate since 2010, beat Borrud in a close race 50.9% to 49%. That was Nelson’s closest race since winning the seat.
The race was seen as having statewide significance, because flipping the seat would help the DFL Party gain control of the state Senate, which Republicans narrowly control.
Tuesday’s debate was sponsored by the Rochester chapter of the Minnesota League of Women voters and was held at the Rochester Public Library. Below are some questions and the candidates’ answers.
Question: If given an opportunity to vote on a proposal that would allow voters to amend the state constitution banning the right to an abortion, how would you vote?
Borrud: I think Minnesotans have already decided this in the sense that overwhelming numbers of Minnesotans support abortion access. So, clearly, if the Republicans sweep both the House and the Senate and the governorship, I think we can be pretty certain that our abortion rights will disappear. I will clearly absolutely say that I would always vote to…
