Town hall meetings hosted by U.S. Rep Erik Paulsen drew hundreds of people on May 30.

The events took place at Chanhassen American Legion Post 580, Hamel Community Center and Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center.

Attendees asked the congressman questions ranging from President Donald Trump’s trade policies to student debt.

Paulsen’s first town hall of the day was reportedly the first since 2011. In February of 2017, a group formed a “With or Without Him” town hall in Plymouth. While 600 people showed up, Paulsen was not present. 

Attendees at the Hamel Community Center, some 120 total, wrote questions drawn at random. Follow-up questions were discouraged, although Paulsen did answer several. People had red and green cards to raise in expressing favor or dislike.

Among the most frequent questions were demands for answers on gun control policies, abortion, and Paulsen’s biggest donors. A few attendees asked Paulsen to speak on the morals of the current presidential administration. Others thanked him for his work with the Alzheimer’s Association.

In Chanhassen, where Mayor Denny Laufenburger moderated the town hall, the event drew several media outlets. Many attendees asked about gun legislation and the Affordable Care Act.

While many disagreed with Paulsen, some said they were happy he held the town hall meeting. Abigail Nichols, 19, asked Paulsen about rising student debt. Nichols, a college student at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., grew up in Chanhassen.

Nichols said she enjoyed meeting other constituents and hearing Paulsen, although said she had hoped he would go into more details of his proposals.

“I thought it was great to hear him first-hand,” she said.

Jacob Davis also said he was content the town hall happened, but wished Paulsen addressed proposals more specifically.

“I feel he had a lot of prepared remarks,” he said, adding that he didn’t feel Paulsen fully answered his question about health care. “I’m glad he finally did one. I’m one of many who were asking for this.”

Victoria resident Vince Beaudette, a member of the Carver County Conservative PAC said Paulsen should do more town halls.

“He should do more. That’s what makes a great democracy,” he said.