Michelle Benson is Wrong for Minnesota

MINNESOTA - Today, Alliance for a Better Minnesota released the following statement regarding Michelle Benson’s announcement to run for governor of Minnesota:

“From blocking access to emergency insulin for Minnesotans with diabetes to underfunding Minnesota schools, Michelle Benson has a long track record proving that she is not the leader that Minnesotans need,” said Marissa Luna, executive director of Alliance for a Better Minnesota. “As a state senator, Michelle Benson also voted to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Minesotans and big tobacco companies, and shortchange working families. She is wrong for Minnesota.”

In 2019, Michelle Benson was responsible for blocking the Alec Smith Insulin Act to provide emergency insulin to people with diabetes in Minnesota who were struggling to afford the high cost. In an insensitive Facebook post that same year she also told people with diabetes who were struggling to afford insulin and rationing their medication to just “go to an emergency room” or find coupons.

As a state senator, Benson voted to shortchange working Minnesotans, underfund Minnesota schools and reduce access to pre-K for Minnesota’s youngest learners, give tax breaks to the wealthiest Minnesotans and big tobacco companies, protect opioid manufacturers from taking responsibility for the opioid epidemic, against banning the harmful practice of conversion therapy, and blocked gun violence prevention legislation.