Minnesota voters prioritize combating fraud in upcoming governor and AG contests
A new poll shows that fighting fraud ranks just behind inflation and cost of living as the top issue for Minnesota voters in the governor and attorney-general races.
A recent KSTP/SurveyUSA survey of 654 prospective November voters in Minnesota identified fraud as the second-most pressing concern after inflation, surpassing healthcare and trailing only cost-of-living worries overall. Respondents want candidates for governor, attorney general and the U.S. Senate to focus on curbing what they describe as a growing fraud epidemic. The poll emerges amid controversy over a $2 million Small Business Recovery Fund launched after Operation Metro Surge, where more than 200 of about 300 applications were deemed potentially fraudulent.
Hennepin County Commissioner Jeffrey Lunde said the program ultimately disbursed only $500,000 to 82 recipients and required excessive administrative effort to combat fraud. He warned that the lack of prosecutions has emboldened fraudsters and called for stronger enforcement and deterrent measures. Economist John Phelan of the Center of the American Experiment highlighted the voter demand for officials who will address the issue decisively.
