Some of them love former President Donald Trump, while others can't stand him.
Following a statewide outreach to voters, the Star Tribune hosted six Minnesota conservatives to discuss the 2024 presidential election.
They shared their views on some of the major issues of the year, including immigration, the economy and political polarization.
Here's what they had to say with less than four months until Election Day.
Joe Bridges, 61, Miltona
The farm equipment salesman doesn't like the extremes of either party, and while he's not sure he could vote for Joe Biden, he definitely won't vote for Trump.
“I grew up working on a farm. People were Republican and that kind of rubbed off on me. I feel like the Republican Party has passed me by. I'm very troubled by the crudeness of not only society but both parties, the extreme thinking of both parties. I have a neighbor across the street who has an 'F Biden' flag and it makes me think, 'What irredeemable value is there in having an attitude like that?'”
Bridges said he also worries about the isolationist mindset of some Republicans.
“President Trump doesn't support NATO because it seems like he's turning his back on other democracies. To say now, 'Mind your own business, mind your own business,' is sad and shortsighted, I think.”
“The Republican Party used to be fiscally conservative. The deficit certainly concerns me, but it's being ignored. We need orderly immigration policy.”
A.K. Kamara, 40, Forest Lake
Kamala, who was not initially a fan of Trump, now believes he is “one of the best presidents I've had in my lifetime.” Kamala is also Minnesota's delegate to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week and was elected as the state's Republican National Committee member for 2028.
“I would crawl over broken glass to vote for Trump, I don't care if I get convicted, if I get 30 more felonies, if I get 300 more felonies,” he said.
Immigration and the economy are the issues he's most concerned about heading into November, and while he's an ardent supporter of Trump, he believes everyone's voice should be heard at the voting booth.
“I will definitely vote. There's no way I'm not going to vote, because I think every American should vote,” he said. “If we want a society that works, we don't want kings or theocracies. We need people from every community to take ownership and say, 'I need to go out and make my voice heard.'”
Sue Keeter, 68, Edina
The retired election official worries about crime (“the riots really pissed me off”) and security on the southern border, and said she sees homeless people in her community and wonders why the U.S. isn't focusing more on its own problems.
“Until all the people who are here legally are taken care of — all our citizens and legal immigrants — and our veterans — don't let anyone else in,” Keeter said. “We have enough problems taking care of ourselves.”
The importance of voting was instilled in Keeter from an early age, and she said Election Day should be a day off from work so everyone can participate.
Keeter said that “if things stay the way they are,” he would “absolutely” vote for Trump over Biden.
“But I'm not a Trump supporter,” Keeter said.
She also said she would vote for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris if Biden dropped out of the race. Other candidates she is interested in are independents Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Nikki Haley and Tulsi Gabbard.
Daniel McMonigal, 64, Cannon Falls
The retired communications professional said he worries about the country's future and the problems his granddaughter and other children will inherit.
He worries about the growing federal debt, drug trafficking and a declining public education system with its emphasis on political “indoctrination.”
“We're failing our kids. We're falling behind,” McMonigal said. “And there's a lack of law and order and a risk of crime.”
McMonigal, who describes himself as a “constitutional conservative,” said he couldn't vote for a Democrat because of how the party has changed over the past 20 years. He doesn't like Minnesota politics and has criticized Gov. Tim Walz and the Democratic-controlled Legislature for spending most of last year's historic $17 billion state budget surplus.
McMonigal said Trump has an “unpleasant personality” that he doesn't want to excuse but believes is because the former president is from New York.
“I will absolutely vote for Trump,” he said.
“I think he's one of the most patriotic presidents of my lifetime, on par with Reagan and Eisenhower.”
Donna Schiff, 68, Prior Lake
Schiff, a longtime elections official, describes himself as a political conservative but says he tries to “look for the right thing” and is open to both sides of the political spectrum.
“If it's a Democratic idea and I think it's the right thing to do, then I'll run with it. But generally speaking, I vote Republican,” she said.
Schiff is currently leaning toward voting for Trump. He was a supporter of Nikki Haley, but with her no longer running, he doesn't have many options. However, he has said he would vote for Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar if she ran for president.
“I don't like everything Trump says. I would hold my nose and vote for him. If Biden were running at this point, I could never vote for him because I disagree with almost everything he's done,” Schiff said.
Ted Stork, 88, Morris
The U.S. Navy veteran and former small-town radio station owner voted for Trump twice but now dislikes both candidates.
“I'm a Republican because I'm against an overprotected state. From the moment you're born until the moment you die, everyone takes care of you. You need more people to take care of you. I'm for smaller government. I've been a Republican all my life. I've only ever voted for one Democrat in my life, John Kennedy. But I'm worried about where the Republican Party has gone, or where it's going.”
Stork said the biggest problem was Ukraine.
“I'm worried that if Trump becomes president, he'll do what he says and demand that Ukraine return territory that Russia has already occupied. I served in Vietnam for a year and in the Navy and Navy Reserves for 28 years. We need a strong military. We've got to stop Putin. We've got to stop China and Iran. I'm worried that he won't. He's a runaway bastard.”
“I'm a conservative, but I think Trump is acting for himself and not for the country. And that worries me a lot.”
Stork said he may vote Democrat, but “I have to be patient and do so.”
