My Partners in the Blue-Collar Boom

Fighting for our way of life isn’t just a campaign slogan, it’s my daily compass. I was humbled and honored last week to receive the endorsement from International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Local 49, which recognized my efforts championing worthwhile projects like the Line 3 replacement, iron ore mining, logging, PolyMet, Twin Metals, and key transportation priorities that will make our roads and bridges safer. Fighting for our way of life in Congress means fighting for Minnesota workers, standing with the hardworking Local 49ers – the state’s largest construction unions with 14,000 heavy equipment operators – and helping unleash our economic engine and igniting this blue-collar boom. As a retired Area Commander with the Duluth Police Department and former President of the Law Enforcement Labor Services Union, Local 363 I will continue fighting for Minnesota workers in Congress.

Precinct Caucus Night this Tuesday

This Tuesday evening is Precinct Caucus Night in Minnesota! At 7 pm, Minnesota Republicans will gather with their neighbors in locations throughout the 8th district to participate in the on-ramp to the 2020 elections. Please attend your local caucus and exercise one of our fundamental democratic rights. To find your local precinct caucus location, please visit the Election Center on my website here. I need you with me in the fight!

Porous Border Security is a Minnesota Problem

Border security is an issue that is hitting us here at home every day and we must recognize our porous borders with Mexico are tied to the drug crisis. A Star Tribune report highlighted a surge in Minnesota drug seizures in 2019 reflecting a heavy influence of drug cartels from Mexico. “Minnesota law enforcement saw surges in meth, cocaine and heroin seizures last year, more evidence that drug cartels are operating a thriving network from Mexico to the Midwest,” the report stated. Last year, I saw that with my own eyes when I visited the Mexico border. The amount of human and drug trafficking on our southern border is at epidemic levels. The good news is that border security measures are being increased and strengthened. Department of Homeland Security provided a border wall update last week that included 120 miles of new border wall in the ground, 200 miles of wall under construction, with 450 miles planned by the end of the year. I commend the President’s action but also recognize we have much more to do to keep Americans – Minnesotans – safe from the cartels.

Significant Progress for Line 3

Most of the Minnesotans I visit with throughout the 8th district support the Line 3 replacement project because it protects our environment while creating an economic surge. I was pleased with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission decision earlier this month to approve three key steps: a revised environmental review, a certificate of need, and a route permit. This is significant progress for a project that will create thousands and thousands of jobs, provide much-needed tax revenue for our region, and make our environment safer. Let's unleash the economic engine!

Have a great week!