Historic turnover within the Minnesota Legislature presents an opportunity and a responsibility to make an impression on a new cohort of lawmakers. All 201 seats in the Legislature are up for election this year.

Minnesota Catholics must take advantage of this opportunity to transform the Legislature into a lawmaking body that places the common good over partisan rancor. Filling that tall order begins by all of the faithful forming consciences and learning about the candidates.

This year, there are more candidates than usual to get to know. Redistricting following the 2020 census led to 51 retirements in the House and Senate — the largest turnover since 1972. Many legislators were no longer going to represent their current communities, while others decided they did not want to challenge a current colleague for their new district seat.

Many of the Aug. 9 primaries pit an incumbent against a newcomer who represents positions that are further to the left or right than their predecessor. This deeper entrenchment along party lines creates the potential for a very polarized Legislature in 2023.

These partisan dynamics and the opportunity to engage a Legislature full of new faces is a calling for Catholics to build relationships that help advance the common good.

Fortunately, we are given a rich tradition of Catholic social teachings that are centered on creating the conditions for all to thrive. As Pope Francis has said, “good Catholics meddle in politics by offering the best of themselves.” Therefore, Catholics have a responsibility to engage with those who are seeking leadership roles in our democracy, but must do so as principled, faithful citizens — that is, the “best of ourselves”— rather than as partisans.

Minnesota Catholic Conference’s election resource page at mncatholic.org/Election Resources is chock full of everything needed to get to know the principles of the faith and learn how to meet and get to know the candidates.

The online resource includes links to a free, free candidate questionnaire that also is available at mncatholic.org/candidate_questionnaire. The questionnaire addresses many issues impacting life, dignity and the common good in Minnesota. It can be mailed or emailed to candidates, or the issues raised can be kept in mind for times local candidates knock on the door.

Another great way to get to know candidates and to help neighbors is to host a town hall at a Catholic parish. A link on the election resources page presents a how-to guide that can also be found at mncatholic.org/townhall.

Candidates striving to represent their constituents must first know that the Catholic faithful are present, and the reasons Catholics propose what we do, with concerns grounded in principles that reflect the way God ordered us as persons, and our proper relation to others and creation. Catholics must take this opportunity to ask the questions that can help the faithful understand the candidates, and perhaps more important, help them understand why Catholics stand for life, dignity and the common good.

“Inside the Capitol” is a legislative update from Minnesota Catholic Conference staff.