

Eric R. Pratt
Republican | Minnesota
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Eric R. Pratt
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary & CD1 Special General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 54
Incumbent
Yes
EDUCATION
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO, Economics
Univ of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, MBA
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
St. Gertrudes/ Benedictine Health, Board Director, Prior Lake Rotary
Member, Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board, Director, volunteer
City of Prior Lake, Strategic PLanning Committee
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
MN Sente Dist 55, 2013-2022
Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board, 2000-2012
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2021
100%
2018
100%
2019-2020
100%
2021
79%, 78% (cum.)â€
2018
62%, 75% (cum.)â€
2021
|100%
2018
|100%
2019-2020
|100%
2021
|79%, 78% (cum.)â€
2018
|62%, 75% (cum.)â€
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
8%, 25% (cum.)â€
2021
0%, 21% (cum.)â€
2021
20%
2017-18
0%
2019
|8%, 25% (cum.)â€
2021
|0%, 21% (cum.)â€
2017-18
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
MN Police & Peace Officers, Minnesotans for Health and Parental Rights
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
Freedom Club (2016)
John Kline (2013)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
Senate Victory Fund SVF (2020)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
National Federation of Independent Business (2019)
Tom Emmer (2012)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (8)
American Federation of Teachers (2022)
Dorsey Political Fund (2019)
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (2021)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (2021)
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Health of mother, rape and incest
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Health of mother, rape and incest
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
Healthcare funds should not be directed to specific organizations. I am opposed to taxpayer funds being used to fund abortion.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
Healthcare funds should not be directed to specific organizations. I am opposed to taxpayer funds being used to fund abortion.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
We recently went through hospice care for a relative, and they were kept comfortable. I am afraid assisted euthanasia could be abused
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
We recently went through hospice care for a relative, and they were kept comfortable. I am afraid assisted euthanasia could be abused
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Minnesota is among the highest taxed states. I favor a flat-tax rate with fewer exemptions
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Minnesota is among the highest taxed states. I favor a flat-tax rate with fewer exemptions
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Minnesota has a large surplus. We have an overtaxing and don't need to cut spending
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Minnesota has a large surplus. We have an overtaxing and don't need to cut spending
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
Many jobs do not require a college education. Additionally, guaranteed college would not encourage the cost-controls needed in higher education institutions to be more competitive. I have also worked to expand apprenticeships as an alternative to college
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
Many jobs do not require a college education. Additionally, guaranteed college would not encourage the cost-controls needed in higher education institutions to be more competitive. I have also worked to expand apprenticeships as an alternative to college
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
I believe in religious liberty, but also am opposed to discrimination. A business owner should be allowed to deny services when those services are specifically for the activity they are opposed to.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
I believe in religious liberty, but also am opposed to discrimination. A business owner should be allowed to deny services when those services are specifically for the activity they are opposed to.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I can't think of one...never. I believe churches and individuals should have made decisions based on their own risk assessment
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I can't think of one...never. I believe churches and individuals should have made decisions based on their own risk assessment
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Schools already require vaccines with allowable exemptions, and state law includes conscientious objection as an allowable exemption. I could support a similar structure for businesses. The Government should never mandate vaccinations
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Schools already require vaccines with allowable exemptions, and state law includes conscientious objection as an allowable exemption. I could support a similar structure for businesses. The Government should never mandate vaccinations
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Did not answer
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Did not answer
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Disagree
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who can immigrate to the United States under our current laws, not including false claims of asylum, is welcome.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who can immigrate to the United States under our current laws, not including false claims of asylum, is welcome.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
I support public schools and school choice. The generic public setting may not be right for every student, and school choice should not be an option available only to families with means. During my time on the school board, I found competition made our programs better.
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
I support public schools and school choice. The generic public setting may not be right for every student, and school choice should not be an option available only to families with means. During my time on the school board, I found competition made our programs better.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Neutral
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Neutral
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Did not answer
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Did not answer
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I support Voter ID and provisional ballots under certain circumstances. I believe we should encourage everyone to vote without barriers but must also ensure integrity in the system. Having 10 years of professional experience in fraud detection and avoidance, fraud is hard to identify once it has occurred and it's always better to devise prevention strategies
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I support Voter ID and provisional ballots under certain circumstances. I believe we should encourage everyone to vote without barriers but must also ensure integrity in the system. Having 10 years of professional experience in fraud detection and avoidance, fraud is hard to identify once it has occurred and it's always better to devise prevention strategies
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A. We need a balance that assesses the trade-offs and risk
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A. We need a balance that assesses the trade-offs and risk
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
Energy independence is crucial
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
Energy independence is crucial
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect individual rights and create a level playing field for competition in a capitalistic economic system
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect individual rights and create a level playing field for competition in a capitalistic economic system
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Did not answer
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Did not answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
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