Digital Town Hall: Erika Cashin here on March 18th, 4PM EST to discuss my run for Congress. What questions do you have?

2020-03-11T09:43:10-04:00

Erika Cashin has served 23 years in the US Air Force, and is currently an Air Force Reservist. While serving with the full-time Air Force, her positions included, Commander, 934th Force Support Squadron, and Deputy Commander, 934th Mission Support Group. In 2013, she founded the first military Lean In small circle, based on the best-selling book by Sheryl Sandberg. Later that year, Ms Sandberg visited her circle, and mentioned the experience in her next book, Lean In for Graduates. In 2015, Erika founded the DoD-wide Lean In Military Chapter, in support of all military small circles worldwide.

Erika’s chapter was officially launched by Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, September 2015. At the launch, Secretary Carter published a DoD directive encouraging participation in circles to encourage women into higher ranks of military service in support of military and civilian women worldwide. In 2016, Erika negotiated the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Veterans Affair’s Center for Women Veterans and LeanIN.org, as a national effort to support and connect women after transition from service, and integrate them into their local community.

From 2015 – 2018, Erika was a member of the Secretary of the Air Force’s in the Barrier Analysis Working Group to address barriers to service for women in the Air Force. In this role, and using experience gained through Lean In Women Veterans, she and her team partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop and launch a targeted transition program specifically for service women. This 1-day program is designed to prevent the negative trends women veterans experience after they depart the service.

In her current Air Force Reserve role, Erika is the Sexual Assault Prevention Officer for the 934th Airlift Wing. She is also a contributing author for the book Invisible Veterans: What Happens When Military Women Become Civilians Again.

Erika is currently running for Congress as a Republican candidate in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, in the southern Twin Cities metro area and is comprised of Scott, Dakota, Goodhue, and Wabasha counties.

Erika lives in Apple Valley Minnesota, with her husband John. Her son Cameron is a sophomore at Harvard University, but has plans to enlist in the Navy this coming summer with a contract to join the Navy SEAL community. Her daughter Delaney is a high school senior and plans to attend the College of Biological Science at the University of Minnesota next fall.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 11 at 2020 9:47 AM

2020-03-11T09:47:29-04:00

No questions ma'am, just thanking you for your service to our great nation.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 10:01 AM

2020-03-11T10:01:38-04:00

What are your priorities?
It is my opinion that the Minnesota Congressional delegation has poorly served Minnesota, prioritizing getting money for bike trails and their own political ambitions rather than what matters to Minnesotans, including in that district. To be honest, I've about given up on them.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 11:03 AM

2020-03-11T11:03:00-04:00

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member I wish you the best on your run for Congress. Thank you Colonel for your hard work helping women veterans.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 12:29 PM

2020-03-11T12:29:09-04:00

Good luck on your Second Congressional District run, hopefully, voters will turn out.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Mar 11 at 2020 3:12 PM

2020-03-11T15:12:26-04:00

With all of the MN District 2 citizens you’ve met with over the duration of your campaign, what are the top 3 issues you’re hearing that need to be solved? Also, how do you plan to solve them?

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Mar 11 at 2020 3:15 PM

2020-03-11T15:15:32-04:00

Good luck. I feel that we have too few veterans in Congress.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 11 at 2020 3:38 PM

2020-03-11T15:38:28-04:00

Not that I have a (direct) horse in this race--I live up in the 8th--but first off, do you feel you have a realistic chance against Angie Craig?

To follow up, the last few election cycles, the 2nd has been drifting from a fairly reliable red one to a more purple political hue, and it would appear that drift is continuing towards more blueish horizons. If that's the case, how do you convince voters down there to back you; particularly in an era when party affiliation over qualifications and intentions, means more to a polarized nation than at anytime since the Civil War? What do you bring to the table that is relevant enough to them to supersede this political drift to the left?

Response by SFC David S made Mar 11 at 2020 3:53 PM

2020-03-11T15:53:17-04:00

No questions, Just good luck and I hope you make it !!! HUYA

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 7:32 PM

2020-03-11T19:32:41-04:00

The best of luck in your congressional run.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Mar 11 at 2020 10:46 PM

2020-03-11T22:46:49-04:00

I wish you the very best, Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member, and I hope that you succeed in your run for the second U.S. District of Minnesota.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2020 10:39 AM

2020-03-12T10:39:27-04:00

Kick ass flying viking!

Response by Sgt Jim Belanus made Mar 12 at 2020 11:27 AM

2020-03-12T11:27:13-04:00

good luck in your run, Rep have a hard time in minn, maybe this time it'll work. your neighbor to the west will be watching

Response by PO1 John Cashin made Mar 12 at 2020 3:53 PM

2020-03-12T15:53:57-04:00

This is really great!!! What has been your least favorite thing about running for Congress?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 16 at 2020 2:42 PM

2020-03-16T14:42:24-04:00

Thank you for the mention ma'am.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Mar 16 at 2020 2:50 PM

2020-03-16T14:50:31-04:00

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member: Lieutenant Colonel Erika Cashin, It is beyond an honor; to have you here with us!
Ma'am, I thank you; beyond compare; for your service in the United States Air Force!!!
-Most Lovingly, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Soldier/Veteran/Warrior

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Mar 16 at 2020 3:06 PM

2020-03-16T15:06:23-04:00

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member the best to you and I hope your skills, experience, and knowledge of veterans trailblaze on behalf of the veteran community

Response by LTC John Shaw made Mar 18 at 2020 11:17 AM

2020-03-18T11:17:41-04:00

Go Erika Go! We need veterans in Congress.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Mar 18 at 2020 11:55 AM

2020-03-18T11:55:09-04:00

I will limit to one question and if possible please explain why in a YES or NO + a short paragraph about why you answered that answer.
Warning - no answer or waffling will be accordingly assessed towards my evaluation of your character. Sorry but I am tired of politicians mumble-mush-mouthing issues.
Question:
Are you for a nationwide CCW for firearms to be recognized just as the different state's driver licences are currently recognized?

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Mar 18 at 2020 12:07 PM

2020-03-18T12:07:48-04:00

Good luck and knock 'em dead today.

Response by SFC James Kernaghan made Mar 18 at 2020 12:58 PM

2020-03-18T12:58:29-04:00

What’s your push for our active duty members and veterans?

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Mar 18 at 2020 1:00 PM

2020-03-18T13:00:38-04:00

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member Erika I'm not as good at reading as SGT Robert Pryor But I did not see your political affiliation. Could you please respond before 4pm

Response by PO3 Kevin Grass made Mar 18 at 2020 2:53 PM

2020-03-18T14:53:38-04:00

My hot subject is Robo calls last years Bill that passed did not even put a dent into the number of calls people receive. If you owned a toll road and 50% used it for free what would happen?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 18 at 2020 3:41 PM

2020-03-18T15:41:21-04:00

No questions ma'am, hope you have a great turnout for your Q&A session.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2020 6:27 PM

2020-03-19T18:27:13-04:00

Here's the campaign website: http://www.cashinformn.com
Thank you so much to everyone that participated!

Home - Cashin for MN - Republican Candidate MN-02

A 24-year veteran of the US Air Force, nationally recognized advocate for women veterans, and human resource executive, will run for Congress in MN-02.