House District 43A Candidates Agree More Bipartisanship Needed

A new face will be elected this fall to represent New Hope and most of Crystal at the state Capitol.

Todd Hesemann, a Republican, is on the ballot against DFLer Kyrstin Schuette in House District 43A.

Both recently participated in a forum hosted by the North Metro Mayors Association, offering an opportunity to introduce themselves and address questions on significant issues.

Hesemann, a New Hope resident, has served on the New Hope Police Reserve Unit for nearly 20 years and is currently captain. He works as a software engineer in the energy industry. He and his wife raised three children in Robbinsdale Area Schools.

House District 43A candidate Todd Hesmann speaks at Aug. 26 forum.

Schuette is the DFL-endorsed candidate and lives in Crystal with her wife, Kayla. 

She said she has worked for more than 15 years as a community organizer helping to elect a wide range of candidates from school board to federal offices.

“I’m running because we need leaders in our government with experience navigating the challenges facing our communities everyday,” said Schuette. “Frankly, I never saw myself running for public office. I didn’t think that it was a door that was open to someone like me.”

House District 43A candidate Kyrstin Schuette speaks at Aug. 26 forum.

Hesemann, meanwhile, described himself as a “fiscal hawk.”

“Minnesotans are generous and we want to help people who need assistance. I support that. But generosity must be balanced with fiscal responsibility, accountability, consideration for taxpayers. Too much fraud, waste and insufficient scrutiny of spending is happening in this state,” he said.

The seat has long been a DFL stronghold and is currently held by Rep. Cedrick Frazier, who is running for Hennepin County Attorney.

Bipartisan Agreement

Candidates were asked to list the top issues they heard while campaigning.

Schuette mentioned rising costs and affordability, and issues facing school districts.

Hesemann said fraud and taxes going up were top concerns. He also heard more collaboration needed between parties as an issue.

Both agreed more needs to be done to build relationships across the aisle.

“I think there are reasonable people on both sides of the aisle,” said Hesemann. “The best legislation usually involves both parties. Bipartisan legislation has staying power because it doesn’t flip back the next time control changes.”

Schuette agreed politics overall has gotten too negative. 

“For me, I think we’ve gotten too used to politics being volatile, that we go to our silos and that we go to our specific political party corners, but I actually think we need to get back to its core, which is the improvement of people’s lives, right?” she said.

You can see the full forum between the candidates here on our website. 

Also see: Robbinsdale School Board Member Bowman Suspends Re-Election Campaign, Cites Husband’s Health

Crystal | New Hope