Sue Hakes
Sue Hakes, former Cook County commissioner and mayor of Grand Marais, announced she has formed a Congressional Exploratory Committee to determine the feasibility of running for Congress in the Eighth District of Minnesota. Incumbent Congressman Rick Nolan is considering a run for governor of Minnesota in 2018.
“When I think about Minnesota’s Eighth District, I think people first,” Hakes said. “I want to fight the current administration’s budgetary goals which chip away at—or gut entirely— the very institutions that make rural life possible and the amenities that make rural America a desirable place to live.” Hakes describes herself as a problem solver who is guided by Martin Luther King’s words, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
Her passions lie in building a resilient economy, making education a priority, ensuring access to quality affordable health care and protecting the environment that is a big reason we all live here.
“I have started to travel throughout the district to learn about the deeper issues facing communities,” said Hakes. “We have 18 counties in the Eighth District. It is a large and very diverse area.”
When asked if she has approached Congressman Rick Nolan with her intentions to run for his seat, she replied, “Yes, I have talked to Rick Nolan and his staff. The most important thing for me is to retain this seat for the Democratic Party. If Rick decides not to run for governor and says he intends to run again to keep his seat, I will rethink my candidacy.”
Differences between Nolan and Hakes are few. “I know Rick supports the Second Amendment as do I. I come from a hunting family and I don’t want to take anyone’s guns away.
“Regarding mining, it is super important in this district. I welcome Polymet and Twin Metals as long as they can meet all of the stringent environmental and long-term financial commitments to operate. And as long as they treat their workers well. I am a big supporter of labor.”
On the issue of jobs in the region, Hakes said there are openings for good jobs but eligible workers often don’t have the training and skills needed to fill them.
“I support public education, early childhood, K-12, college and vocational schools. Not everyone needs to go to college. How do we train and retain those already living here for these jobs? There are good jobs in the trades, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc. That would be one of my goals.”
Also, she noted, even if Twin Metals and Polymet get the permits to operate mines, it will be at least four years before either is up or operating. In the meantime, she said, it’s time to look at finding ways to diversify the economy. “We need to work on other aspects of our economy. I had a small real estate company, so I know what it’s like to own my own business. We need to work with entrepreneurs and support their visions, work with start up companies and small business owners.
“Living in rural Minnesota is the best place—and the hardest place – to live. It’s hard to hire doctors in rural Minnesota. Chronic illness is common in rural Minnesota. I worry about what this current administration is doing with health care. I believe health care should be accessible and a right for everyone to have. If you are healthy and your neighbor is healthy, if everyone is healthy we can work together to solve the rest of the problems that we face.”
Part of the process, said Hakes, should she decide to go all in and run, will be securing the DFL endorsement. Should she garner that support, raising money for what could be a very expensive campaign will come next. The last two Eighth Congressional District elections between Democratic Rep. Rick Nolan and GOP challenger Stewart Mills were two of the most expensive congressional campaigns in the U.S.
A lifelong Minnesotan, Hakes has lived in Grand Marais since 1995. She and her husband John Gorski, formerly of Eveleth, Minn., work in real estate. In 2014, she was awarded a Bush Foundation Fellowship and studied at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Hakes served as mayor of Grand Marais in 2009 and 2010, and Cook County commissioner from 2011 through 2014. Prior to being an elected official, she owned and operated Sue Hakes Realty in Grand Marais and worked in Business Development at Honeywell in Minneapolis.
Sue said her husband John, is solidly behind her. “And Laker, my dog, is all for my exploratory campaign,” said Hakes with a smile.
Leave a Reply