New Ulm's City Council President Andrea Boettger announced her candidacy for District 15 State Senate.

NEW ULM – New Ulm City Council President Andrea Boettger announced that she will be running for Minnesota Senate in District 15.

Boettger has lived in New Ulm for 15 years. She is the mother of two children who attend New Ulm Schools. Boettger has served as the executive director of Turner Hall in New Ulm since 2018. She has served as New Ulm City Council president since 2021.

Boettger said she was inspired to run for state senate from her time on the New Ulm City Council and seeing what local government can do to help people and wanting to help on a state level.

“I’ve seen the problems we’ve had in child care, housing and elderly care,” she said. “Our city has been able to take some really creative steps to tackle those issues and move the needle. I would love to do this on a bigger level.”

Boettger also serves on the board of directors for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, where she co-chairs the Taxation and Local Government Aid committee. In addition, she is vice chair for Region Nine Development Commission, which supports the economic development of nine Southern Minnesota Counties. Through her work in these organizations, Boettger said she has found that many rural Minnesota are facing the same issues and many are nonpartisan.

Boettger said she is running as a DFL candidate but said she is not afraid to cross the aisle and talk common-sense issues that raise the quality of life in the state.

“Republican and Democrats are often separated by where they stand on social issues but what is important to remember in these local and state politics, we’re dealing with so many nonpartisan issues,” she said.

“I am very fiscally responsible,” Boettger said. “I don’t like to see waste, but I am also supportive of programs that help people.”

Boettger said there is always a difference of opinion on how best to allocate resources for people in need, but she believes it’s important to listen to the people on the ground delivering services.

“I feel like there is a disconnect in St. Paul,” she said. “Representatives know the issues but do not really understand the issues from the people carrying out that work.”

The new Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave that goes into effect on Jan. 1 was used as an example. Minnesota passed legislation that will give Minnesotans more time off. Boettger said she believes giving families more time off is a step in the right direction but does not agree with additional unfunded mandates. She is concerned the new laws will be burdensome to businesses because of the unclear nature of how it will work. She said the new law resulted in a nearly 1% increase in New Ulm’s budget.

“There are so many programs at the state,” she said. “We need to look at what has been working and what has not.”

Boettger said as state senator she would be a strong voice in St. Paul.

“I will advocate for rural priorities and cut unnecessary spending at the Capitol,” she said. “Our communities rely on local aid for our schools and healthcare. The current formula should be fair and balanced, yet more families than ever are feeling financial pressure from rising health care costs and economic uncertainty. This is unacceptable for our rural communities. I will work to ensure our communities are getting our full share of the pie.”