Matt Christensen - DFL candidate for MN House of Representatives in District 35A.

Like many of my neighbors, I have become very frustrated with politics as usual. Every election year, candidates promise change—and two years later, things are the same or worse. The roads have deteriorated, the bridges have collapsed, and more local jobs have disappeared. I finally decided that the best chance I had to help change the system was to become part of the solution and to run for office myself. As a small business owner I learned that few things are more expensive than failing to do a job right the first time. It doesn’t matter why--if you have the wrong tool for the job, or if you try to cut corners and invest too little time, money, or effort—any time you do a job wrong the first time, you will have to do it again. This is often a hard lesson to learn, but it is extremely valuable. In difficult situations, only a careful balancing of conflicting values and needs—and a willingness to face and plan for unpleasant possibilities—will provide enough structure and depth to support a healthy outcome.

Today we face some very similar choices in Minnesota. Our representative should strive towards the best solution for the community while recognizing that seeking perfection can stall progress. Hard choices and compromises are part of life. As a Representative I would seek to balance those concerns and focus on the best solution for my district and for Minnesota.

If elected, I will work consistently and dependably to meet our local needs—even when those needs run counter to big-money interests, or meet disapproval from party leadership.