Candidate Profile: Rep. Jeff Hayden

EDITOR'S NOTE: Last week, state Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis) announced her retirement after a long career in the state Legislature. The DFL candidates running to replace her will face off in a Sept. 13 primary election, and face off against any Republican challenger in a special election on Oct. 18. The filing deadline was 5 p.m. Aug. 3.

For one-term veteran of the state House of Representatives Jeff Hayden (DFL-District 61B), his desire to win the seat of outgoing state Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-61) is all about his experience in the legislature.

"It will let me hit the ground running," he said, rattling off a long list of legislation he and other DFLers have crafted over his last three years.

Experience

This experience, Hayden said, would help him work to contain cost increases in the state's entitlement programs and education spending. Hayden wants to see a bipartisan task force made up of experts and legislators tackle the issue. He also wants to focus on increasing the number of well-paying jobs available to poor and minority communities.

"I recognize the safety net is not sustainable in the long term," he said. "To someone new [to the legislature], I would not say 'you're not able to understand the issues,' but I think we need smart, creative, innovative, and experienced legislators. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and say 'I've got great ideas.'"

Special Interests

Hayden has  for his long-time involvement with the DFL party activists and connected interest groups, with Heuer alleging Hayden is unable to compromise with Republican lawmakers. By his own account, Heuer, who is also running for Berglin's seat, hasn't been involved with any neighborhood or local DFL organizations.

Hayden rejected Heuer's supposition, although he said he's "excited" about Heuer's run.

"I got involved in neighborhood organizations to make a difference and to help get a critical mass to move things forward." Hayden said. "When you get to the legislature, that [skill] becomes important. You have to get along and work as a team."

As for interest groups that endorse him, Hayden said "I don't pledge to take action (on their behalf). I take their endorsements and listen to them but, ultimately, I represent the people of this district."

Bipartisanship

"I have a decent relationship with many of my Republican counterparts," Hayden said.

Despite this, though, he admitted difficulty this session in pushing back against conservative legislators and proposed cuts to programs important to many in his Southwest Minneapolis district. This struggle, he said, was one of the party's primary challenges heading into the next legislative session.

"I don't know know how to counter that level of polarization," Hayden said, "other than working hard and going out to the electorate and making sure people understand how their representatives are operating."