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Vern Ehlers' Ratings and Endorsements

Deceased

Vote Smart displays all known interest group ratings for each candidate and official, regardless of issue or bias.

Keep in mind that ratings done by special interest groups often do not represent a non-partisan stance. In addition, some groups select votes that tend to favor members of one political party over another, rather than choosing votes based solely on issue concerns. Nevertheless, they can be invaluable in showing where an incumbent has stood on a series of votes in the past one or two years, especially when ratings by groups on all sides of an issue are compared. Website links, if available, and descriptions of the organizations offering performance evaluations are accessible by clicking on the name of the group.

With rare exceptions, Vote Smart displays interest group ratings as a 0-100 percentage. While many interest groups use percentages as ratings to begin with, please note that Vote Smart has translated some ratings to a percentage from a different rating system for consistency and ease in understanding. Please visit the group's website, email us at ratings@votesmart.org or call our Voter Information Hotline at 1-888-VOTESMART for more specific information.

100%
2009
94%
2007-2008
83%
2005-2006
80%
2003-2004
77%
2003
76%
2001-2002
78%
1999-2000
0%
2009
0%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2001
0%
2000
7%
1999
3%
1997
13%
1996
100%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
100%
1999-2000
100%
1999
100%
1997-1998
100%
1997
100%
1996
100%
2009-2010
100%
2001
38%
2007-2008
41%
2005-2006
83%
2000
64%
1999
66%
1995-1996
67%
1993-1994
71%
2007
30%
2007-2008
81%
2001-2002
81%
2001-2002
37
2007-2008
37
2007-2008
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
70%
2001-2002
70%
2001-2002
58%
1999-2000
58%
1999-2000
33%
1998
71%
1997
60%
1996
44%
1995
56%
1994
0%
2007
Fence Sitter
2002
Fence Sitter
2002
78%
2003
75%
2001-2002
67%
2005
45%
2003-2004
60%
2001-2002
33%
2007-2008
33%
2007-2008
66%
2005-2006
66%
2005-2006
78%
2003
75%
2001-2002
75%
2001-2002
50%
2000
66
2007-2008
66
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
78%
2003
78%
2003
75%
2001-2002
75%
2001-2002
60%
2010
60%
2010
59%
2010
59%
2010
60%
2010
60%
2010
59%
2010
59%
2010
40%
2010
40%
2010
41%
2010
41%
2010
39%
2010
39%
2010
37%
2009
37%
2009
62%
2009
62%
2009
37%
2009
37%
2009
39%
2009
39%
2009
61%
2009
61%
2009
41%
2009
41%
2009
58%
2009
58%
2009
62%
2009
62%
2009
42%
2008
42%
2008
59.8%
2008
59.8%
2008
40%
2008
40%
2008
60%
2008
60%
2008
58%
2008
58%
2008
39%
2008
39%
2008
39%
2008
39%
2008
61%
2008
61%
2008
58.3%
2007
58.3%
2007
41.7%
2007
41.7%
2007
56%
2007
56%
2007
40%
2007
40%
2007
60%
2007
60%
2007
58%
2007
58%
2007
43%
2007
43%
2007
41%
2007
41%
2007
46%
2006
46%
2006
50%
2006
50%
2006
50%
2006
50%
2006
55%
2006
55%
2006
44%
2006
44%
2006
52%
2006
52%
2006
53%
2006
53%
2006
48%
2006
48%
2006
51%
2005
51%
2005
47%
2005
47%
2005
52%
2005
52%
2005
45%
2005
45%
2005
55%
2005
55%
2005
49%
2005
49%
2005
54%
2005
54%
2005
46%
2005
46%
2005
49%
2004
49%
2004
53%
2004
53%
2004
46%
2004
46%
2004
56%
2004
56%
2004
44%
2004
44%
2004
50%
2004
50%
2004
59%
2003
59%
2003
55%
2003
55%
2003
49%
2003
49%
2003
45%
2003
45%
2003
41%
2003
41%
2003
50%
2003
50%
2003
56%
2003
56%
2003
44%
2003
44%
2003
40%
2002
40%
2002
80%
2002
80%
2002
48%
2002
48%
2002
53%
2002
53%
2002
19%
2002
19%
2002
52%
2002
52%
2002
60%
2002
60%
2002
46%
2002
46%
2002
59%
2001
59%
2001
39%
2001
39%
2001
49%
2001
49%
2001
47%
2001
47%
2001
41%
2001
41%
2001
61%
2001
61%
2001
52%
2000
52%
2000
51%
2000
51%
2000
47%
2000
47%
2000
51%
2000
51%
2000
46%
2000
46%
2000
49%
2000
49%
2000
46%
1999
46%
1999
84%
1999
84%
1999
53%
1999
53%
1999
54%
1999
54%
1999
0%
1999
46%
1999
46%
1999
61%
1998
61%
1998
53%
1998
53%
1998
58%
1998
58%
1998
46%
1998
46%
1998
42%
1998
42%
1998
37%
1998
37%
1998
50%
1996
50%
1996
45%
1996
45%
1996
54%
1996
54%
1996
31%
1996
31%
1996
67%
1996
67%
1996
48%
1996
48%
1996
33%
2003
50%
2005-2006
66%
2003-2004
100
2007
75%
2007
75%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
58%
2009
100%
2009-2010
85%
2003
85%
2003
74%
2007-2008
79%
2005-2006
82%
2003-2004
90%
2001-2002
90%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2007-2008
75%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
80%
2010
80%
2010
15%
2003-2004
15%
2003-2004
17%
2003
17%
2003
14%
2001-2002
14%
2001-2002
0%
1999-2000
0%
1999-2000
26%
1997-1998
26%
1997-1998
45%
1997
45%
1997
30%
1995-1996
30%
1995-1996
25%
2003-2004
0%
1997-1998
100%
2004
42%
2009
60
2008
30
2007
0%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2004
50%
2003
75%
2006-2012
75%
2006-2012
15%
2007-2008
15%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
0%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001
20%
1999-2000
20%
1999-2000
0%
1999
12%
1997-1998
12%
1997-1998
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
0%
2007
50%
2007
50%
2007
100%
2007
29%
2005-2010
0%
2007
12%
2001-2002
54%
2009
61%
2007
62%
2007
60%
2005
55%
2005
65%
2005
55%
2004
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
69
2002
69
2002
69
2002
73%
2001
60%
2000
100%
1995-1996
100%
1995-1996
100%
2009
94%
2007-2008
83%
2005-2006
80%
2003-2004
77%
2003
76%
2001-2002
78%
1999-2000
89%
2004
86%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
95%
2003-2004
92%
2003
79%
2001-2002
86%
2000
25%
1997-1998
100%
1995-1996
94
2007-2008
94
2007-2008
93
2007
93
2007
83
2006
83
2006
71
2005
71
2005
90%
2009
90%
2009
80%
2008
80%
2008
58%
2007
58%
2007
57%
2006
57%
2006
73%
2005
73%
2005
58%
2004
58%
2004
62%
2003
62%
2003
47%
2002
47%
2002
100%
2009-2010
12%
2001-2002
48%
2009-2010
26%
2009-2010
50%
2009
0%
2007-2008
29%
2007-2008
29%
2005-2006
57%
2007-2008
65%
2005-2006
44%
1998-2002
56%
1997
43%
1996
25%
2007-2008
28%
2007
38%
2005
64%
2003-2004
44%
2001-2002
71%
1999-2000
88%
2001-2010
88%
2001-2010
38%
2009
38%
2009
25%
2008
25%
2008
36%
2007
36%
2007
36%
2006
36%
2006
42%
2005
42%
2005
40%
2004
40%
2004
56%
2003
56%
2003
30%
2002
30%
2002
25%
2001
25%
2001
50%
2000
50%
2000
63%
1999
63%
1999
38%
1998
38%
1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
60%
1996
60%
1996
33%
1995
33%
1995
17%
2007
52%
2007-2008
52%
2007-2008
72%
2007
47%
2006
100%
2009
94%
2007-2008
83%
2005-2006
80%
2003-2004
77%
2003
76%
2001-2002
78%
1999-2000
28%
2000
63%
1999
36%
1998
70%
1997
60%
1996
50%
1995
42%
2009
60
2008
30
2007
0%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2004
50%
2003
100%
2002
75%
2007
0%
2007-2008
67%
2007
0%
2005-2006
33%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2001-2002
15%
2003-2004
15%
2003-2004
17%
2003
17%
2003
14%
2001-2002
14%
2001-2002
0%
1999-2000
0%
1999-2000
26%
1997-1998
26%
1997-1998
45%
1997
45%
1997
30%
1995-1996
30%
1995-1996
59%
2009
59%
2009
100%
2001
100%
2000
46%
2003-2004
29%
2003
9%
2001-2002
100%
1995-1996
100%
1995-1996
100%
2001
100%
2000
50%
2005-2006
66%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
38%
2003
50%
1999-2000
50%
1999-2000
100
2007
67%
2005
45%
2003-2004
60%
2001-2002
71%
2007
100%
2004
94
2007-2008
94
2007-2008
93
2007
93
2007
83
2006
83
2006
71
2005
71
2005
92%
2008
75%
2006-2012
75%
2006-2012
59%
2010
58%
2009-2010
50%
2009
70%
2007-2008
70%
2007
75%
2006
50%
2005
52%
2003-2004
55%
2003
59%
2001-2002
50%
1999-2000
38%
1999
62%
1998
56%
1997
50%
1995-1996
100%
2007
100%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003
0%
2002
100%
2009
94%
2007-2008
83%
2005-2006
80%
2003-2004
77%
2003
76%
2001-2002
78%
1999-2000
80%
2007-2008
84%
2004
84%
2003
100%
2002
87%
1999-2000
87%
1997-1998
78%
1997
80%
1995-1996
90%
2009
90%
2009
80%
2008
80%
2008
58%
2007
58%
2007
57%
2006
57%
2006
73%
2005
73%
2005
58%
2004
58%
2004
62%
2003
62%
2003
47%
2002
47%
2002
52%
2007-2008
52%
2007-2008
72%
2007
47%
2006
14%
2007
14%
2007
76%
2007-2008
56%
2005-2006
60%
2003-2004
83%
2001-2002
59%
1999-2000
58%
1997-1998
82%
1995-1996
61%
2009
C
2008
C
2007
50%
2006
50%
2005
56%
2004
57%
2003
59%
2002
60%
2001
69%
1999
51%
1998
58%
1997
85%
1995
37%
2005-2006
37%
2005-2006
66%
2009
61%
2007
62%
2007
65%
2005
55%
2005
60%
2005
55%
2004
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
69
2002
69
2002
69
2002
73%
2001
60%
2000
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
43%
2001-2002
43%
2001-2002
73%
2001-2002
73%
2001-2002
20%
1999-2000
20%
1999-2000
89%
1999-2000
89%
1999-2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997-1998
62%
2009
60%
2008
45%
2007
49%
2006
40%
1995
20%
1995
40%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
12%
2001-2002
33%
2007-2008
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
83%
2007-2008
83%
2007-2008
65%
2005-2006
65%
2005-2006
75%
2003-2004
75%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
-5
2001-2002
0%
2007-2008
67%
2007
0%
2005-2006
33%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2001-2002
54%
2009-2010
100%
2004
25%
2007-2008
28%
2007
38%
2005
64%
2003-2004
44%
2001-2002
71%
1999-2000
0%
2005
75%
2006-2012
75%
2006-2012
83%
2005-2006
83%
2003-2004
83%
2001-2002
83%
2000
83%
1999
0%
2009
0%
2009
25%
2005-2006
100%
2004
0%
2003
38%
2009
38%
2009
25%
2008
25%
2008
36%
2007
36%
2007
36%
2006
36%
2006
42%
2005
42%
2005
40%
2004
40%
2004
56%
2003
56%
2003
30%
2002
30%
2002
25%
2001
25%
2001
50%
2000
50%
2000
63%
1999
63%
1999
38%
1998
38%
1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
60%
1996
60%
1996
33%
1995
33%
1995
C
2008
100%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
100%
2000
0%
1999
100%
1998
100%
1997
17%
1996
0%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003
61%
2009
C
2008
C
2007
50%
2006
50%
2005
56%
2004
57%
2003
59%
2002
60%
2001
69%
1999
51%
1998
58%
1997
85%
1995
38%
2004
30%
2003
33%
2002
36%
2001
50%
2000
47
1999
41%
1998
47%
1997
62%
2009
60%
2008
45%
2007
49%
2006
53%
2009
80%
2001
80%
2001
40%
1997-1998
40%
1997-1998
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
100%
2007
33%
2009-2010
100%
2007
71%
2007-2008
78%
2005-2006
100%
2003
50%
2004
100
2007
25%
2003
0%
2006
100%
2003-2004
0%
2005
67%
2002
50%
1995-1996
50%
1995-1996
41
2007-2008
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
100%
2005
0%
2007-2008
67%
2007
0%
2005-2006
33%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2001-2002
100%
2007
100%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
0%
2001
0%
2001
22%
2001-2002
30%
2000
9%
1999
46%
1997-1998
30%
1995-1996
20%
2007-2010
54%
2009-2010
54%
2009-2010
43%
2005-2008
43%
2005-2008
41%
2005-2006
41%
2005-2006
45%
2003-2006
45%
2003-2006
46%
2003-2005
46%
2003-2005
59%
2003
59%
2003
55%
2002
55%
2002
55%
2001
55%
2001
33%
2005
33%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
10%
2003-2004
50%
1997-1998
C
2007-2008
C
2007-2008
37
2007-2008
37
2007-2008
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
70%
2001-2002
70%
2001-2002
58%
1999-2000
58%
1999-2000
33%
1998
71%
1997
60%
1996
44%
1995
56%
1994
17%
2007
15%
2007-2008
15%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
0%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001
20%
1999-2000
20%
1999-2000
0%
1999
12%
1997-1998
12%
1997-1998
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
78%
2003
75%
2001-2002
60%
2007
30%
2006
11%
2005
0%
2003-2004
18%
2001
70%
2000
60%
1999
63%
1998
89%
1997
7%
1996
0%
2001
59%
2009
59%
2009
83%
2007-2008
83%
2007-2008
65%
2005-2006
65%
2005-2006
75%
2003-2004
75%
2003-2004
57%
2007-2008
65%
2005-2006
44%
1998-2002
56%
1997
43%
1996
25%
2007-2008
28%
2007
38%
2005
64%
2003-2004
44%
2001-2002
71%
1999-2000
88%
2001-2010
88%
2001-2010
38%
2009
38%
2009
25%
2008
25%
2008
36%
2007
36%
2007
36%
2006
36%
2006
42%
2005
42%
2005
40%
2004
40%
2004
56%
2003
56%
2003
30%
2002
30%
2002
25%
2001
25%
2001
50%
2000
50%
2000
63%
1999
63%
1999
38%
1998
38%
1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
60%
1996
60%
1996
33%
1995
33%
1995
94
2007-2008
94
2007-2008
93
2007
93
2007
83
2006
83
2006
71
2005
71
2005
70%
2010
58%
2009-2010
50%
2009
70%
2007-2008
70%
2007
75%
2006
50%
2005
52%
2003-2004
55%
2003
59%
2001-2002
50%
1999-2000
38%
1999
62%
1998
56%
1997
50%
1995-1996
66%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003
-5
2001-2002
100%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
100%
2000
0%
1999
100%
1998
100%
1997
17%
1996
100%
2003
89%
2004
80%
2007-2008
84%
2004
84%
2003
100%
2002
87%
1999-2000
87%
1997-1998
78%
1997
80%
1995-1996
86%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
95%
2003-2004
92%
2003
79%
2001-2002
86%
2000
25%
1997-1998
100%
1995-1996
0%
2005
58%
2009
0
2005
29%
2005-2010
35%
2009-2010
35%
2009-2010
41
2007-2008
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
62%
2009-2010
62%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
60%
2009
60%
2009
60%
2009
47%
2007-2008
47%
2007-2008
70%
2007
20%
2006
0%
2005
40%
2004
13%
2004
25%
2003
35%
2002
50%
2001
53%
2000
57%
1999
30%
1998
28%
1997
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
100%
1995-1996
100%
1995-1996
33%
2009-2010
50%
2003
50%
2003
0%
2006
15%
2007-2008
15%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
0%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001
20%
1999-2000
20%
1999-2000
0%
1999
12%
1997-1998
12%
1997-1998
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
0%
2001
0%
2007
42%
2009
60
2008
30
2007
0%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2004
50%
2003
83%
2009-2010
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003
100%
2003
83%
2009-2010
100%
2009
100%
2009
94%
2007-2008
94%
2007-2008
83%
2005-2006
83%
2005-2006
80%
2003-2004
80%
2003-2004
77%
2003
77%
2003
76%
2001-2002
76%
2001-2002
78%
1999-2000
78%
1999-2000
100%
2009-2010
80%
2007-2008
80%
2007-2008
84%
2004
84%
2004
84%
2003
84%
2003
100%
2002
100%
2002
87%
1999-2000
87%
1999-2000
87%
1997-1998
87%
1997-1998
78%
1997
78%
1997
80%
1995-1996
80%
1995-1996
0%
2008
0%
2008
14%
2007
14%
2007
14%
2007
14%
2007
58%
2009
37%
2005-2006
37%
2005-2006
54%
2009
54%
2009
66%
2009
61%
2007
62%
2007
62%
2007
61%
2007
55%
2005
55%
2005
65%
2005
60%
2005
65%
2005
60%
2005
55%
2004
55%
2004
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
69
2002
69
2002
69
2002
69
2002
69
2002
69
2002
73%
2001
73%
2001
60%
2000
60%
2000
80%
2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
62%
2009-2010
62%
2009-2010
62%
2009-2010
62%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
67%
2009-2010
60%
2009
60%
2009
60%
2009
60%
2009
60%
2009
60%
2009
47%
2007-2008
47%
2007-2008
47%
2007-2008
47%
2007-2008
70%
2007
70%
2007
20%
2006
20%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2005
13%
2004
40%
2004
40%
2004
13%
2004
25%
2003
25%
2003
35%
2002
35%
2002
50%
2001
50%
2001
53%
2000
53%
2000
57%
1999
57%
1999
30%
1998
30%
1998
28%
1997
28%
1997
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
33%
2005-2006
35%
2005-2006
35%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
35%
2005-2006
35%
2005-2006
58%
2009
12%
2001-2002
33%
2007-2008
100%
1995-1996
100%
1995-1996
0%
2009
77%
2006
75%
2005
90%
2004
70%
2003
80%
2002
80%
2001
75%
2000
60%
1999
60%
1998
0%
2005-2006
90%
2009
90%
2009
53%
2008
53%
2008
58%
2007
58%
2007
58%
2006
58%
2006
59%
2005
59%
2005
55%
2003-2004
55%
2003-2004
75%
2001-2002
75%
2001-2002
58%
2009
76%
2007-2008
56%
2005-2006
60%
2003-2004
83%
2001-2002
59%
1999-2000
58%
1997-1998
82%
1995-1996
61%
2009
C
2008
C
2007
50%
2006
50%
2005
56%
2004
57%
2003
59%
2002
60%
2001
69%
1999
51%
1998
58%
1997
85%
1995
62%
2009
60%
2008
45%
2007
49%
2006
55%
2006
55%
2006
75%
2007
75%
2007
71%
2007
100%
2002
83%
2005-2006
83%
2003-2004
83%
2001-2002
83%
2000
83%
1999
15%
2003-2004
15%
2003-2004
17%
2003
17%
2003
14%
2001-2002
14%
2001-2002
0%
1999-2000
0%
1999-2000
26%
1997-1998
26%
1997-1998
45%
1997
45%
1997
30%
1995-1996
30%
1995-1996
80%
2003-2004
80%
2003-2004
80%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
80%
1999
80%
1999
0%
2007
43%
2007-2008
0%
2002
22%
2006
100%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
100%
2000
0%
1999
100%
1998
100%
1997
17%
1996
46%
2003-2004
29%
2003
9%
2001-2002
86%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
95%
2003-2004
92%
2003
79%
2001-2002
86%
2000
25%
1997-1998
100%
1995-1996
arrow_upward