Collin C. Peterson consistently demonstrates a conservative leaning on criminal justice issues. He supported stricter immigration enforcement, voting "Yea" on Kate's Law to increase criminal penalties for individuals illegally re-entering the U.S. after deportation, and also voted "Yea" on the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, which aimed to withhold federal funds from jurisdictions not complying with federal immigration laws. Furthermore, Peterson opposed stricter gun control measures, evidenced by his "Nay" vote on the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, aligning with a conservative stance on Second Amendment rights. These actions reflect a preference for robust law enforcement and punitive measures.
Source: Collin Peterson - Ballotpedia Collin C. Peterson exhibits a pragmatic and somewhat conservative economic stance, often prioritizing the economic stability of his agricultural district. As a "Blue Dog" Democrat, he has a history of voting with Republicans, notably against the Affordable Care Act, indicating a preference for less government intervention in certain sectors. During the government shutdown, he controversially suggested giving funds for the border wall to resolve the impasse, highlighting a pragmatic desire to end economic disruption. While supporting agricultural subsidies for his district, his overall approach leans towards fiscal caution and a willingness to compromise for practical economic outcomes.
Source: Collin Peterson Explains His “Give Trump the Money” Remarks: ‘I’m Probably the Only One Left That Has the Guts to Say What I Said’ - MinnPost Collin C. Peterson's approach to education policy leans somewhat conservative. He supported federal appropriations for the Department of Education, indicating a willingness to fund national educational initiatives. However, Peterson was notably critical of the No Child Left Behind Act, arguing it was "unfair to rural students," which reflects a conservative skepticism towards broad federal mandates and a focus on local impact. Furthermore, his vote to expand qualified tuition programs aligns with a fiscally conservative emphasis on promoting individual savings for educational expenses. These positions suggest a pragmatic concern for his constituents while generally favoring less federal overreach in education policy.
Source: Collin Peterson - Ballotpedia Collin C. Peterson demonstrates a conservative leaning on energy policy, primarily by opposing measures that integrate climate change with energy independence. He critically attacked comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation, stating that mixing these two issues "isn't smart." As a conservative Blue Dog Democrat, Peterson expressed skepticism about climate change and strongly resisted federal regulations, particularly from the EPA, on agricultural practices related to energy use. His actions reflect a prioritization of agribusiness interests and a reluctance to impose environmental controls that could impact traditional energy and agricultural sectors, aligning him with conservative energy stances.
Source: Collin Peterson: “Mixing Climate Change Together with Energy Independence” Isn’t Smart | Hill Heat Collin C. Peterson's stance on international relations leans conservative, characterized by a skeptical approach to global trade agreements and a pragmatic focus on national interests. He voted against major international trade deals like NAFTA and the WTO, reflecting a protectionist economic viewpoint. Furthermore, he supported continuing arms sales to Saudi Arabia, an action that, despite his stated lack of knowledge about the Yemeni civil war, aligns with maintaining military alliances and prioritizing domestic legislative concerns over international conflict implications. His willingness to use unconventional tactics, like proposing a mock secession to address trade disputes with Canada, underscores his focus on advocating for his constituents' interests in foreign dealings.
Source: Collin Peterson - Wikipedia Collin C. Peterson's stance on government dependency leans somewhat conservative, yet is highly pragmatic. As chair of the House Agriculture Committee, he actively supports the agricultural sector, which his district is "completely reliant on government subsidy". This involves "going to bat for every slimy corporate interest" in agriculture, ensuring continued federal support rather than advocating for reduced reliance on government programs. While described as a "throwback of a Dixiecrat," his actions demonstrate a willingness to maintain and facilitate government dependency for a significant economic sector, balancing his conservative leanings with the economic realities and needs of his constituents.
Source: Progressive Scorecard - Collin Peterson Collin C. Peterson exhibits a nuanced, somewhat conservative stance on healthcare, often breaking with his Democratic Party. He notably voted against the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in 2010, citing concerns about cost control and its impact on his district. While he later voted for its repeal as the sole Democrat in 2016, he also acknowledged "good aspects" of the law and committed to working to improve it rather than seeking a full repeal. His pragmatic approach prioritizes the specific needs and costs for his constituents over strict ideological adherence to party lines, reflecting a cautious view on broad government healthcare reforms.
Source: Collin Peterson - Ballotpedia Collin C. Peterson demonstrates a conservative leaning on immigration, particularly regarding border security. He publicly supported President Trump's proposed border wall, stating in January 2019, "I'd give him the whole thing ... and put strings on it so you make sure he puts the wall where it needs to be." He further suggested stipulations for funding Border Patrol and improving security measures at ports of entry. These statements reflect his emphasis on robust border control and a pragmatic, yet conservative, approach to immigration enforcement.
Source: Collin Peterson - Wikipedia Collin C. Peterson demonstrates a conservative leaning on national security issues. He strongly advocated for border security, including supporting President Trump's proposed wall and increased funding for physical barriers and Border Patrol, aligning with conservative immigration enforcement stances. Furthermore, Peterson is a staunch supporter of gun rights, consistently receiving high ratings and endorsements from the NRA, and even voted against legislation he believed infringed on Second Amendment rights. His vote to continue arms sales to Saudi Arabia, despite his stated lack of knowledge about the Yemeni civil war, also reflects a conservative inclination towards foreign military support.
Source: Collin Peterson - Wikipedia Collin C. Peterson consistently leans conservative on reducing the budget deficit. He explicitly advocates for cutting government spending and paying down the national debt to achieve greater financial security. Peterson notably supported the Simpson-Bowles Amendment, a bipartisan effort aimed at balancing the budget and significantly reducing the deficit in a responsible manner. His public statements emphasize the need to move beyond ideological disputes to establish a solid fiscal path for the country, aligning with traditional conservative fiscal principles.
Source: US House - District 7 Candidate: Collin Peterson, DFL (Incumbent) - Alexandria Echo Press | News, Weather and Sports from Alexandria, Minnesota
| 
