‘Every vote counts’
Republicans express optimism in picking up state Senate seat
Staff photo by Fritz Busch Mike Amery, Director of Greater Minnesota Outreach Director for the American Experiment, urged people to vote for Christian principles and conservative values at the Brown County Republican Fun Raiser at the Sleepy Eye Event Center Thursday.
Staff photo by Fritz Busch District 18A Rep. Erica Schwartz said she went from frying chicken at a gas station to the Minnesota State Capitol after defeating incumbent DFL Rep. Jeff Brand of St. Peter last November.
Staff photo by Fritz Busch Mike Amery, Director of Greater Minnesota Outreach Director for the American Experiment, urged people to vote for Christian principles and conservative values at the Brown County Republican Fun Raiser at the Sleepy Eye Event Center Thursday.
Staff photo by Fritz Busch District 18A Rep. Erica Schwartz said she went from frying chicken at a gas station to the Minnesota State Capitol after defeating incumbent DFL Rep. Jeff Brand of St. Peter last November.
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SLEEPY EYE -- Republican politicians and conservative leaders speaking at the Brown County Republican Fun Raiser Thursday, called for people to vote.
"We're fighting for limiting taxes, less government regulations and more Christian principles and conservative values," said District. 18A Rep. Erica Schwartz of Nicollet who defeated DFL Rep. Jeff Brand of St. Peter by several hundred votes in November.
"I went from frying chicken at a gas station to working at the (Minnesota State) Capitol," said Schwartz. "A former single-mom, I worked six to seven days a week and got a second job, working nights, due to high taxes and inflation, but I went to college and got a two-year degree. I always loved politics, keeping my nose to the ground about what was going on."
Schwartz said she still works every other weekend at the Nicollet gas station her husband owns.
She urged people to vote.
"Every vote counts," said Schwartz. "We are witnessing an outpouring of Jesus and a renewed embrace of conservative principles of faith, responsibility and hard work that is the strength of America. God bless you and thank you for the opportunities here."
Brown County Republican Chairman Greg Bartz said Schwartz' win last fall was important because it gave Republicans a tie in the Minnesota House.
"Thank you Erica for everything you've done. You've overcome so many obstacles in your life. Winning your seat meant so much to us," said Bartz.
District 15B Rep. Paul Torkelson of Hanska said he condemns all political violence but that it seems to continue.
"I hope we can get back to the dialogue and running the State of Minnesota," he said. "I think we should be very concerned about our state. Other states have recovered dramatically since COVID. Here we see the opposite. Minnesota has the highest corporate tax rate in the U.S. Some of Minnesota's reading and science school test scores are below Mississippi."
He said some financial planners are advising people to leave Minnesota.
"The first thing we can do is vote. I think we can beat (Minnesota Governor) Tim Walz. We're tied in the House. If we can pick up one Senate seat, I think we'll be in very good shape," said Torkelson. "I think we can recover. The best way is to elect Republicans."
District 15 Senator Gary Dahms of Redwood Falls said excessive fraud and abuse have been happening since he was elected in 2010.
"We've identified $2 billion in fraud since Walz became governor. There will be many legislative bills regarding fraud and abuse in the next session," said Dahms. "Taxes have risen by $10 billion, much of it squandered on pet projects. Runaway spending has raised taxes more in the last biennium (two-year period) than the previous six bienniums."
He encouraged people to encourage their friends and neighbors to vote.
Greater Minnesota Outreach Director Mike Amery of the American Experiment, a Minnesota-based think tank that advocates for conservative and free-market principles, said Minnesota taxes are not competitive with surrounding states.
"We proposed $4 billion in state spending cuts," said Amery. "Medicaid is supposed to cover mothers with children and senior citizens, not people who can work or are dead. We need to save Medicaid for those that really need it."
Bartz said First District Congressman Brad Finstad and Seventh District Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach did not attend the event due to Washington political demands.