The five DFL candidates vying to replace U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison in Congress mostly favored single-payer health care and stronger gun-control measures, such as universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons, during a forum on Monday night.
With similar positions on issues, candidates tried to distinguish themselves by touting their experience.
Former House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray pointed to their long legislative records, while state Rep. Ilhan Omar, a one-term lawmaker, called for a broader definition of experience that includes a career in civil rights and public policy along with being a millennial, a renter, and someone with student loan debt.
"I remember when Obama was running this question was asked … and I think we had a wonderful eight years," she said.
Engineer Jamal Abdulahi said he does not believe that being a state legislator is a prerequisite for going to Congress and said there's a need for more people with backgrounds such as nurses, teachers and other "mainstream life experiences."
He highlighted his experience as an engineer for Lockheed Martin and other major corporations and noted that he's also worked as a community organizer.
At the end of the event, Realtor Frank Drake drew boos from the audience when he said that his family goes back five generations locally.
"None of these other people can say that," said Drake, referring to the fact that three of his opponents are immigrants.