To the editor:

Gov. Tim Walz led the effort to address COVID 19 while trying to get our economy back on track. I approve of his mask mandates and shutdowns.

Dr. Scott Jensen said of COVID: “This is like a cold, runny nose, low grade fever, sore throat.” He recommended NOT getting the COVID vaccine and advised the use of ivermectin. COVID is not a parasitic illness. I am not a horse.

Walz worked on insulin relief for diabetics. Dr. Jensen voted against that bill when in state office.

On gun violence and public safety, Walz signed bills to aid in gun control. Jensen said he would vote against or now veto stronger background checks and red flag laws. He would sign “stand your ground.” Anyone that still supports Trump after Jan. 6 is not against violence no matter how many times they say they are!

On education, Walz is a teacher. He knows teachers’ and students’ needs. Jensen said he supports school vouchers so parents can send children to private schools. Jensen is for parents reviewing curriculum and books with feedback to school boards. How do we expect our teachers to teach if micromanaged by parents? Recently Jensen repeated the hoax that children were being allowed to use litter boxes in school.

Jensen was the Minnesota Family Practice doctor of the year in 2016. But has been investigated five times since by state Board of Medical Practice. He said of the board, “If I get elected in November do you think their jobs are secure.? I get to appoint them. We’ll have our picks.” Disgusting defense.

On inflation, I’ve lived enough years to go through this before. Inflation is all over the world. It is not any one person’s fault. It is COVID-19 and Russia’s war on Ukraine for the most part. High gas prices? This is a matter of supply and demand. I’ve seen them high before. I never felt it was the fault of whoever was president at the time. They will go up when OPEC cuts production. In the long run we need clean energy and less dependance on oil. Minnesota has the lowest unemployment in the country and is at or near the top in many areas.

Minnesota matters to me. This is an easy choice: Walz.

Darlene Nelson

Hanska