To the editor:

Jeff Ettinger is a refreshing community leader running for Congressional District 1. From Austin, Jeff served as the Hormel CEO and built a capable, diverse work force while improving pay and benefits. He knows how to meet a payroll and deal with supply chain disruptions and inflation.

Jeff now heads the Hormel Foundation and Co-Chairs Governor Walz’s economic development task force. I support Jeff because he brings together people of all walks of life – local government officials, new Americans, everyday workers and business people, to solve problems and improve peoples’ lives.

He will work for affordable, accessible health care and lower drug prices, supporting the $35/month cap on insulin in the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act. The Act also gives government the ability to negotiate lower drug prices for those on Medicare, and offers programs for farmers to foster resiliency in the face of a changing climate. Jeff’s opponent, Cong. Brad Finstad, voted “no” on this measure and against the needs of Southern Minnesotans within hours of being sworn in. And Mr. Finstad has voted against our interests on several measures since.

Standing up for democracy is a cornerstone of Jeff’s campaign, as he calmly stands up for our free and fair elections and backs policies to make it harder to repeat the Jan. 6th insurrection. Mr. Finstad supports Trump’s “America First” rhetoric.

Vote for Jeff Ettinger to CD 1, a problem solver and an effective bipartisan voice.

Theresa Keaveny

New Ulm