As in 2022, all candidates for state constitutional offices had to complete a questionnaire, created by educators, and participate in a forum with Education Minnesota members to be considered for our endorsement in 2026.

• Simon questionnaire
• Chip Tangen questionnaire

In his questionnaire, Simon pledged to continue to “do everything in my power as Secretary of State” to maintain and enhance voter access in Minnesota.

“Whatever comes at us, we’ll be ready. We are actively planning (with national partners, with other Secretaries of State, and with numerous Minnesota partners) responses to possible federal overreach. Our elections will be as free, fair, and secure as always,” he said.

“Steve Simon has spent more than a decade making it easier for Minnesotans to vote and harder for anyone to tamper with the results. That matters to educators, because a democracy worth teaching about must be a democracy worth voting in. We are proud to stand with him.” said Monica Byron, president of Education Minnesota. 

Here’s why educators should care:

• Preparing our students to be good citizens is one of the most important aspects of the job of an educator. Nothing is more important for citizenship than voting.
• Among the duties of the secretary is making sure Minnesota has free and fair elections.
• Educators must support and protect the right to vote for all our current and former students.