Sam Rosemark
Democrat | Minnesota
Candidate Profile*
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
University of Minnesota Morris, Morris, Economics, 2017-2021
University of Minnesota Morris, Morris, Political Science, 2017-2021
WORK & MILITARY
University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Director of Advocacy, 2022-2026
Washington Technology Magnet School, Substitute Teacher, 2026-
Office of Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Staff Assistant, 2021-2021
Office of Senator Chuck Wiger, Intern, 2021-2021
AFFILIATIONS
North St. Paul–Maplewood–Oakdale Rotary Club, Volunteer, 2025-
University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Life Member, 2023-
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
School Board Member, ISD 622 North St. Paul–Maplewood–Oakdale Schools, 2025-
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
MN State Senate, District 44, 2026-
ENDORSEMENTS*
LIBERAL (18)
Minnesota AFL-CIO
Sierra Club North Star Chapter
Minnesota Clean Water Action
AFSCME Council 5
DFL Environmental Caucus
OTHER (1)
Boundary Waters Action Fund
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE
Minnesota Professional Firefighters
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Peggy Flanagan (2025)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (2026)
Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (2026)
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (2025)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
I support reproductive freedom and believe decisions about abortion should be made by patients in consultation with their healthcare providers, not politicians.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Did not answer
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Disagree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Choose not to answer
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Disagree
I would not support using an 1873 law to restrict access to abortion medication or reproductive healthcare.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I support a strong minimum wage that ensures full-time work provides economic security. The minimum wage should keep pace with the cost of living while recognizing the needs of workers and small businesses.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
I come from a family of small-business owners. Fair competition is good for our economy. But today, too many monopolies and massive corporations are consolidating wealth and power. We need an economy that encourages competition, supports small businesses, respects workers, and protects consumers.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. Strengthen independent oversight and the Office of Inspector General. 2. Increase resources to investigate and prevent fraud before taxpayer dollars are lost. 3. Improve transparency and accountability for state contracts and grants. 4. Modernize outdated government systems and eliminate duplicative administrative processes. 5. Hold individuals and organizations that misuse public funds accountable while protecting access to essential services.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
I believe in the Constitution and its protections for religious freedom. Faith has an important place in the lives of many Minnesotans, but government should neither impose nor prohibit religious belief. Separation of church and state protects everyone's freedom to practice their faith, or no faith at all, while ensuring government serves everyone equally.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
I support religious freedom, but religious beliefs should not be used to deny people equal access to businesses and services open to the public. We can protect religious liberty while also protecting people from discrimination.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
I believe healthcare is a human right. At the national level, I support universal healthcare that guarantees coverage for everyone. Until that becomes a reality, I support a strong public option in Minnesota that anyone can choose while preserving private insurance options.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Neutral
Health data can help policymakers understand healthcare costs and improve public health, but individual medical information must remain private and secure. Any collection of health data should have strong privacy protections and use anonymized data whenever possible.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
I agree that the Chinese government poses serious challenges to U.S. security and economic interests. We must distinguish the actions of the Chinese Communist Party from the Chinese people and Chinese Americans, who should never face discrimination or hostility because of the actions of a foreign government.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
I support democratic government in Israel, while recognizing that no government, of any nation, should be above accountability. U.S. aid should be used effectively to pursue security and lasting peace, not violence. I believe strongly in human rights for Israelis and Palestinians and support a two-state solution that allows both peoples to live in peace, security, and dignity.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Neutral
Local law enforcement should focus on keeping our communities safe, not acting as federal immigration enforcement. Everyone should be able to report a crime, seek help, or cooperate with police without fear based on their immigration status. I have done a ride-along with a local sheriff deputy, and they want positive relationships and trust, and want to protect public safety. They do not want to do the job of immigration enforcement.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
As a school board member, I believe strongly in local control of our public schools, but I do not support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. The federal government has an important role in protecting students' civil rights and supporting students with disabilities and schools serving communities with fewer resources. The current disbandment of the U.S. Dept. of Education is greatly harming special education students.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Choose not to answer
Foreign governments should not be able to secretly influence American education. I support strong transparency and disclosure requirements for foreign funding and appropriate safeguards against foreign government interference, while preserving legitimate international research and educational partnerships.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Agree
Parents play an essential role in their children's health, education, and well-being. That role should be respected while also protecting the safety, dignity, rights, and individual needs of every child.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Disagree
Families should be able to support their children and make healthcare decisions in consultation with qualified medical professionals, without politicians labeling loving and supportive parents as child abusers. Every child deserves dignity and respect, full stop.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Disagree
I disagree. I believe in marriage equality and the freedom of two consenting adults to marry the person they love. Government should protect that freedom equally.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Agree
Sports betting is already occurring, including through online platforms. Minnesota should regulate and tax it responsibly, with safeguards for consumers and dedicated revenue to prevent and treat gambling addiction and support other public needs.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised Lutheran and confirmed at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in North St. Paul. My faith taught me the importance of loving my neighbor, serving others, and treating every person with dignity. I respect people of all faiths. My values call me to lead with compassion, humility, honesty, and service to others.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
Minnesota already requires voters to establish their identity and eligibility when registering to vote. I support secure elections, but requiring every registered voter to present a photo ID again at the polls would create an unnecessary additional barrier to exercising the right to vote.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Choose not to answer
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Disagree
I disagree with blanket policies that exclude transgender people from public life. These issues should be addressed thoughtfully based on the circumstances, with appropriate consideration for safety, privacy, fairness, and the dignity and civil rights of everyone involved.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Agree
Climate change is a serious global challenge that requires action. We should reduce emissions while building a cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy system that creates jobs and protects our air, water, and communities.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
We need a diverse energy mix, including wind, solar, storage, and other carbon-free resources. We should invest in transmission and a modern grid to provide reliable, affordable energy while reducing emissions.
ABOUT YOU
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?
Liberal
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The goal should be to keep communities safe, ensure accountability, provide justice for victims, and rehabilitate people so they can successfully return to society. A fair system should reduce crime and recidivism while respecting due process and human dignity.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Agree
The Constitution is the supreme law of our country, and no religious doctrine should supersede it. That principle applies equally to Sharia, Christian doctrine, Jewish law, and every other religious tradition. Americans of every faith have the same right to freely practice their religion.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Guns are the number one cause of death for children. I support universal background checks, red flag laws, safe-storage requirements, and restrictions on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. We can respect the Second Amendment while taking reasonable steps to reduce gun violence and keep guns out of dangerous hands.
