Meet The Legislator Interview Series: A Conversation With Senator Jim Abeler

Meet The Legislator Interview Series: A Conversation With Senator Jim Abeler

Interview by Tom Akaolisa, Editor, MinneapoliMedia | June 7, 2025

At a time when hyper-partisanship and ideological divides dominate the national conversation, Senator Jim Abeler stands out as a veteran lawmaker who still believes in the power of compromise, common ground, and community-first policymaking. Representing Anoka and surrounding communities for over two decades, Abeler brings a unique perspective shaped by his background as a chiropractor, his leadership on key legislative committees, and his unwavering commitment to pragmatic solutions over political theatrics.

In this exclusive installment of MinneapoliMedia’s “Meet The Legislator” series, editor Tom Akaolisa sits down with Senator Abeler for a wide-ranging and candid discussion. From navigating polarization in the Minnesota Legislature to tackling urgent issues like education disparities, healthcare reform, long-term care, and homelessness, Senator Abeler reflects on the past, weighs in on the present, and shares a hopeful—yet realistic—vision for Minnesota’s future.

This conversation offers readers a rare look into the mind of a legislator who sees his role not as a partisan warrior, but as a public servant determined to bridge divides and champion common-sense solutions for all Minnesotans.

Tom Akaolisa: Senator Abeler, it's always a pleasure to speak with you. Thank you for taking the time to join MinneapoliMedia's "Meet The Legislator" interview series. This series aims to connect our audience with elected officials, providing a deeper understanding of the legislative process and the critical issues shaping our state. For those unfamiliar, I lead a local news site focused on informing the community about the workings of the Capitol and the important work being done by our legislators. Through interviews like this, we hope to enlighten our audience on these crucial matters.

Senator Jim Abeler: Thank you, Tom. It's good to be here.

Tom Akaolisa: Given your extensive experience on both the Health and Human Services and the Education Policy committees, what do you see as the single most pressing issue facing Minnesota in both of these critical areas? What specific legislative actions do you believe are necessary to address them?

Senator Jim Abeler: That's a great question, and it touches on the core of what's happening in our government right now. While issues in education and human services are critically important, I believe the biggest overarching problem facing us is the increasing polarization of government. This polarization has led to an inability for people to truly understand opposing positions and, consequently, to come to reasonable resolutions.

Historically, compromise has been essential to governance. You aim for honorable compromises. However, in our current political climate, both at the federal and state levels, we see a deep division. Here in Minnesota, for example, we've had periods of single-party control, followed by a very closely divided legislature. When one party has a significant majority, they tend to pursue their agenda without much bipartisan input. This can lead to extreme policies, and we've seen instances where spending has been excessive, even when the state has had significant surpluses.

Now, facing potential deficits, we're at a point where tough decisions need to be made about reducing spending and balancing the budget. This is a novel experience for some who have been accustomed to unfettered spending. We've also seen policies passed that place significant burdens on small businesses, such as paid family leave and safe and sick time. While well-intentioned for employees, these can crush businesses already struggling to make payroll.

The dialogues often remain one-sided. The left is hesitant to change anything, while the right seeks adjustments to make policies more workable. Unfortunately, the answer is often "no." Both sides feel beholden to their extreme wings – the hard right and the progressive left, including groups like DSA. This is the biggest problem.

My focus, and what I believe is critical for progress, is working in the area of consensus. Imagine a Venn diagram where you have the "blue" (Democrat) and "yellow" (Republican) points of view. How do you get to "green" – the overlapping area of agreement? Too often, parties are so focused on their deep-blue or deep-yellow positions that they struggle to find that middle ground. If we could consistently achieve consensus, we could effectively address issues in education, healthcare, transportation, our safety net hospitals, and all the other problems facing us. The best work, the work that truly stands the test of time, happens in that collaborative middle ground. It's often frustrating, but that's what I strive for.

Tom Akaolisa: As a Republican legislator with a DFL narrow majority, what strategies have you found most effective for finding common ground and influencing policy from your side of the aisle? Can you provide an example of a recent bipartisan effort you were involved in?

Senator Jim Abeler: My strategy is to actively look for common ground. Some people only see the differences and disengage. But no one agrees on everything, ever. So, I seek out areas of agreement.

For example, I frequently vote on bills that are predominantly Democratic initiatives. I might often be the 35th vote, the one that pushes a bill over the 34-vote threshold for passage, and the only Republican to do so. I do this because I see merit in the legislation, and because I want to be part of the discussion. If you consistently vote "no" all the time, you're excluded from meaningful discussions.

Policymaking is messy. Think of a football team playing on a wet, muddy field. The players who are perfectly clean weren't in the game. The ones on the line, covered in mud, were. If you're not willing to get your hands dirty, to get involved in the difficult process, you won't be relevant. I tackle some very hard topics specifically to get into the middle of them and try to improve them, and I've had a lot of success with that. It sometimes confuses people, as I'm not a "well-behaved" Republican, and I'd be an even worse Democrat! I try to do what makes the most sense for the people I represent. Having been in office for 26 years, I'm frankly tired of the politics, but I love helping people. As long as I can do that, I want to be here. If it were solely about the politics, I'd quit tomorrow.

Tom Akaolisa: Turning to education funding and quality, which is an ongoing debate, what are your key priorities for Minnesota's education system, and how do you propose addressing concerns about disparities in educational outcomes across the state?

Senator Jim Abeler: One of the core problems we face is equating money with success in education. We often hear celebrations of achieving a billion-dollar budget for a school district, for example, yet the outcomes in terms of student achievement can be quite poor. While there are many well-intentioned teachers, parents, and complex issues at play, simply throwing more money at the problem isn't yielding results. For instance, in Minnesota, less than half of third graders can read or do math at grade level, and for Black, Indigenous, and people of color populations, the situation is even more dire. We've spent significant additional funds – billions – in recent years, yet we're seeing some of the worst outcomes ever. This tells us we need to do something different.

What are those "different things"? We need to focus on what actually improves outcomes. We should look at successful models. For example, charter schools have shown promise for some challenging populations. They've found success by fostering an environment where learning is embraced. We need to identify who has succeeded with similar challenging populations in Minnesota and across the country and then replicate those successful strategies.

My frustration is that many of my ideas to improve education, which are perfectly aligned with consensus-building and come directly from school superintendents, school board members, teachers, and parents, have been rejected. Instead of allowing local districts to experiment and learn from each other – creating "hundreds of laboratories" where we can see what works – a handful of legislators in Saint Paul make decisions for the entire state. Charter schools, for instance, could be these laboratories, and some have been successful, but their ideas haven't been widely adopted or exported into the broader system.

This ties back to ego. When people are too invested in the way they've set up a system, they resist change, fearing it implies their past efforts were "bad." But it doesn't mean they're bad; it just means there's an idea that needs improvement. Unfortunately, when one party is in charge, they often impose their will, regardless of the other side's input. Education is like trying to turn a battleship; it doesn't change on a dime. We see fads come and go, but the core of education is foundational: learning to read, write, and do math. If you master those, you can do anything. We are currently failing to instill these core competencies. Students are graduating high school barely able to read, leading to embarrassment and limiting their future opportunities. The system is failing these individuals, particularly our Black, Indigenous, and people of color students, leaving them with minimal skills for higher education or even trade school.

There is a way to collaborate – with Republicans, Democrats, the community, local leaders, teachers, and superintendents – to make it work better. But right now, the majority is refusing. I brought seven solid, non-extreme amendments to the Education Policy Committee, the kind Democrats would have brought if Republicans were in charge, and they were all rejected. This is incredibly disappointing, especially when those making these decisions aren't directly harmed by the failing system, while thousands of students have their lives negatively impacted.

Tom Akaolisa: Healthcare continues to be a major concern for many Minnesotans. What are your primary legislative proposals for making healthcare more affordable and accessible, particularly for families and small businesses in your district?

Senator Jim Abeler: As a chiropractor for 46 years, I've seen firsthand how our healthcare system often buys the wrong things. We make it easy to purchase expensive, interventive care and difficult to access more affordable, conservative care. America spends roughly twice as much on healthcare as other developed nations, yet we rank much lower in outcomes. A significant portion of our healthcare dollar – perhaps 40% – goes to administration, not to direct treatment or clinicians. And of the money that does go to treatment, too much is directed towards interventions rather than prevention or conservative care.

Think of it like maintaining a car. If you keep it tuned up, change the oil, and charge the battery, it runs well. If you neglect maintenance, you'll eventually need an overhaul. Our healthcare system buys a lot of "overhauls" because we don't prioritize the "tune-ups." For instance, someone might spend $8,000 on a back issue with various referrals, scans, and therapies, without truly resolving it. Then, they might come to my office, and for $300, see significant improvement. Yet, people complain about the $300 bill while having readily paid the $8,000 one. We also neglect beneficial and more affordable options like acupuncture or better nutrition.

If you look at photos of Americans at the beach in 1960, most people were slender. Compare that to today. Our diet, full of corn syrup and junk food, has contributed to widespread health issues. We're now trying to fix problems that stem from years of poor health choices. It's like beating your car to death and then wondering why it needs an overhaul. That's the underlying premise of the problem. There are different ways to pay for healthcare, but we must first address the fundamental issue: we are buying the wrong things.

Tom Akaolisa: Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2025 legislative session, what are your top legislative priorities and what outcomes do you hope to achieve for your constituents and for Minnesota?

Senator Jim Abeler: Honestly, at this point, most of us just want to get our work done. We're in overtime, and it didn't have to be this way. The leadership – the three Democrats and one Republican, along with the Governor, Senate Majority Leader Murphy, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, and Minority Leader Melissa Hortman – have struggled to work together effectively. They had two difficult years. The Republicans, under Minority Leader Daudt, had to fight their way back into relevance. The three- or four-week period where members didn't come to work at the end of the last session didn't set a good tone.

Last year, the Democrats jammed a 1,431-page bill through in the last hour of the House and last half-hour of the Senate with very little discussion. People were yelling to be acknowledged, and the decorum was horrible. I personally sat in my chair and wept because I was so sad for the institution, for how beautiful it can be when we work together. Those bad feelings persist. When people feel abused and then gain control, they're not inclined to be nice to their former abusers, especially if there's no apology or even a pretense of one.

They haven't practiced collaboration. The Democrats in charge haven't practiced finding consensus. Even when Republicans were in control of both houses in 2011 and 2012, our side didn't always excel at it either. You see the same dynamic in Washington – no one is truly looking for consensus. It's about demands, jamming things through, and belittling the other side. People are tired of that. And now, in this climate, we're supposed to solve our biggest deficit ever. It's challenging when just yesterday people were throwing stones at each other.

Tom Akaolisa: What is your perspective on the current political climate in the Minnesota legislature? Do you believe there is a path toward greater civility and cooperation, and if so, how can that be fostered?

Senator Jim Abeler: The only way I see us getting stability these days is through divided government. It's unfortunate that the House isn't all Republican, or the Senate all Democrat, which would then necessitate true compromise. We've had divided government before, with a Republican House, a DFL Senate, and a DFL Governor under Mark Dayton, and we worked things out because we had to. You couldn't get everything you wanted. As long as one group believes they can do everything they want, you're never going to get civility.

We're too far beyond the point of no return for average Democrats to befriend typical Republicans, or vice versa, because an election is always coming, and they need to make the other side look bad. That genie is not going back in the bottle. This isn't a new phenomenon either; I was reading about the animosity between politicians in the 1700s, during John Adams' time. It's simply the nature of people to squabble over power. So, the only way to foster civility is to divide the power and compel them to find consensus.

I don't believe it will be organic. I think 80% of the people here are bent on being loyal members of their party, doing what they're told, and remaining loyal to a fault to their point of view. That's unfortunate. For me, I'm loyal to my constituents. I chose to be a Republican, but as I said, I wouldn't be a very good anything because I choose not to put my mind in park and just follow an assignment. My assignment is to make the best of every situation on behalf of the people who sent me here and who still trust me to serve them.

Tom Akaolisa: Absolutely. You've been very generous with your time and insights, and your passion for what you believe in, particularly your willingness to work across the aisle for Minnesota's benefit, is truly unique and something our audience needs to hear about. What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities for the state's future over the next decade?

Senator Jim Abeler: We certainly have our hands full. The money situation will be tighter, and we'll have to make wise choices, prioritizing what's truly important. As a state, we need to decide on our priorities. I would strongly encourage that education be at the top – ensuring every student graduates high school able to read, write, do math, and comprehend at a level that allows them to thrive beyond a marginal existence. We also need to keep our environment clean and safe – clean water, clean air – for the long term.

Healthcare almost defies resolution; it's so politically charged. But if people could truly collaborate, we could figure out how to address it. We also need to figure out our infrastructure – how to maintain and build enough roads for our future, whether that involves self-driving cars or trains, or something else entirely. If people decide to collaborate, we can solve all these problems. I pray for wisdom, and if I have any, it's because God gives me wisdom. That's my rock.

Tom Akaolisa: Your legislative record shows a focus on issues related to seniors and long-term care. What are the most urgent needs of Minnesota's aging population, and what legislative solutions are you advocating for?

Senator Jim Abeler: We are in a world of hurt in this area. There's a severe shortage of workers – an estimated 50,000 open positions in the long-term care system. Meanwhile, the "silver tsunami" of aging seniors is upon us. Soon, we'll have more seniors than students, placing significant burdens on our systems. People are living longer, and the question is, how do we pay for that, and how do individuals pay for their own care? If we don't address this well, it could bankrupt us and leave people badly underserved. Again, this is an area where cooperation and working together to find the best solutions are absolutely crucial.

Tom Akaolisa: Affordability and homelessness remain significant issues in many parts of Minnesota. What role do you believe the state legislature should play in addressing these challenges, and what specific policies would you support?

Senator Jim Abeler: In short, homelessness should be a transitional state, not a permanent landing spot. The goal is to house people, but then to get them back on their feet through treatment and re-entry into the workforce. This provides the pride of work, a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and a sense of purpose. I've been active in various homeless efforts in Anoka, including Stepping Stone, Hope for Youth, and Haven for Heroes – a veterans' project I helped found, which provides cottages to help challenged veterans get back on track.

It truly takes a community effort. The state and federal governments can't pay for everything. We need to instill a sense of personal responsibility, as Jesse Ventura once spoke about. Where individuals can, we need to help pull them up and support them as they become stable and productive members of society, so they can then help others. I believe that's the most humane way.

Tom Akaolisa: For our final question, what one piece of advice would you offer to everyday Minnesotans who want to become more engaged in their state government and have their voices heard?

Senator Jim Abeler: Please remember that every Minnesotan has one representative and one senator. If you work elsewhere, you might even have additional representatives you can talk to. Get to know them. Become their expert on a topic you're truly knowledgeable about. If you're a nurse, a teacher, a landscaper, or work in a factory, be their go-to person for that niche. When I don't know what to do, I'll call someone and ask, "Hey Tom, what do you think?" or "Hey Mary, what should I do with this project, since you're my advisor?" Be involved in any way you can, and consider joining a political party of your choice. It's challenging, but it's worth the effort. Frankly, the welfare of our society depends on good people staying engaged in constructive ways.

Tom Akaolisa: Thank you very much, Senator. This has been incredibly insightful.

Senator Jim Abeler: My pleasure, Tom. Thanks for stopping by.

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