State Rep. Paul Torkelson has been representing this part of the state since 2008. He is seeking re-election to House Seat 16B, and we encourage voters to give him another term.

Torkelson combines a variety of life and job experiences that make him an excellent representative of rural interests. He’s worked as a teacher before taking up farming, giving him great insight into the needs of outstate school districts, the environment and rural communities. He has risen in the caucus leadership, serving as an assistant minority leader in the House for the last couple of years.

Torkelson combines a conservative viewpoint with pragmatism. He is not simply an idealogue who clings to conservative principles without regard to how things work.

Perhaps that is the difference between Torkelson and his DFL challenger, James Kanne, who is making his second run to unseat Torkelson. Kanne is also a farmer, and a lifelong resident of the area. He is truly sincere in his wish to work for the people of this district and the state. But his well-meaning idealism needs a touch of reality.

Kanne, for instance, has stressed his support of Minnesota’s minimum wage increase, which lifted Minnesota in one year from having the lowest to one of the highest minimum wages in the country, and it is set to go higher still in the next two years. Kanne, despite the protestations of business groups everywhere, feels this is beneficial not only for the employees, but will create an economic boom that will lift employers as well. He doesn’t seem to see the impact this has on small employers’ struggling to make a profit.

Torkelson has worked hard for this district and will continue to do so. We encourage voters to support him on Nov. 4.