Leading up to the Nov. 3 General Election, the Roseville Reporter will publish Q&A responses from candidates on the ballot. Readers can get to know the candidates and learn about their goals and stances on current issues to make an informed decision come Election Day.

Candidates sent their responses to the Roseville Reporter via email. The Roseville Reporter remains neutral and publication of a candidate’s responses does not indicate endorsement.

Mark Born

Candidate for House District 66A

House District 66A represents Roseville precincts 08 through 10; St. Paul Ward 4 precincts 01 through 03, 08 through 10, 11 and 13 and Ward 5 precinct 10; and the cities of Falcon Heights and Lauderdale.

Find your representative here.

Background

City of Residence: Falcon Heights

Occupation: Retired

I am a lifelong Minnesotan, born and raised in Carver County on a dairy farm. That’s where I learned early on that a real workday doesn’t end at five o’clock, and a workweek spans all seven days.

After my childhood on the farm, I proudly served eight years in the U.S. Air Force. Following my military service, I went to work for NSP— which folks today know as Xcel Energy— specializing in Instrumentation, Process and Controls at the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant. Since then, I have also been a successful small business owner and local employer.

I know what it means to work hard, serve my country and build a business from the ground up. I am confident that I have both the skills and the stamina needed to give the good people of District 66A the strong, common-sense representation they deserve.

Minnesota has experienced fraud. What specific safeguards and checks and balances do you intend to develop and support to see that this does not continue?

The scale of ongoing fraud is shameful and will not stop without systemic change. We must hold Minnesota department heads accountable and confront the political party that enabled— and sometimes participated in— this corruption.

To fix this system, we must completely halt the flow of money, implement stricter auditing and start over. Convicted fraudsters must face mandatory prison time and the state must aggressively expand debarment protocols to block corrupt actors permanently. Finally, we need to increase the statutes of limitations on fraud, ensuring criminals cannot simply run out the clock to avoid justice.

Given the current economic situation, what ideas do you have to help with affordability issues?

State governments must maintain fiscal responsibility by balancing revenues and expenditures in a sustainable manner. In recent years, Minnesota generated a $17.5 billion budget surplus, indicating significant over-taxation of its citizens. Despite this surplus, the 2023 legislative session produced a $72 billion budget— representing an unprecedented 40% increase in spending— while simultaneously implementing approximately $10 billion in new taxes and fees.

Local government expenditures require similar scrutiny. For instance, Ramsey County’s initial 2026 budget proposal of $929.3 million introduced a 6.57% spending increase funded by a 9.75% property tax levy increase. Rather than defaulting to increased burdens on homeowners, local officials should first identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate non-essential spending.

Finally, the cost of motor vehicle registration tabs should be reformed to lower financial burdens on drivers and all revenue generated from these fees must be strictly dedicated to the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges.

Identify and expand on three major initiatives you would like to work on in the upcoming session. How do you plan to work across the aisle to gain support for your ideas?

1. Education reform. Minnesota’s public K-12 education system is facing a severe crisis. Recent state accountability data reveals that more than half of Minnesota students are unable to read at grade level, while mathematics proficiency scores are even lower. We must urgently reform both our curriculum and instructional methods to prioritize core academic excellence. Not long ago, families moved to Minnesota specifically to access our top-tier school systems. We must reject administrative overreach and political mandates in the classroom to restore Minnesota’s legacy of educational excellence.
   
2. Protecting women’s sports. The integrity of women’s sports must be preserved. Generations of female athletes have worked tirelessly to achieve the opportunities and protections guaranteed under Title IX. Allowing biological males to compete in female divisions compromises the fairness and safety that these women fought to build. A common-sense standard should be applied: participation in female sports must be determined by biological sex, specifically requiring an XX chromosomal makeup. Anyone who does not meet this biological standard should be excluded from female sports categories and restricted from entering private female spaces, such as locker rooms.
   
3. Restoring the state flag. I am fully committed to the grassroots effort to restore Minnesota’s historic state flag. The traditional flag carries deep historical significance and represents a heritage that resonates with our communities. A clear majority of Minnesotans favor returning to the classic design, and we must honor their voices by working to bring back our true state flag.

Hear from the other House District 66A candidate here: