Dear Americans,
I’m a Minnesotan, home of Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average. Minnesotans have grit, a strong work ethic, love to join community clubs, gladly shovel their neighbor’s sidewalk, and have never been able to accept a complement. We’re okay being a flyover state or being confused with Wisconsin—we’re humble and it’s not our place to correct folks or tell them what to do or what to think. We’re fiercely independent, believe we can pull ourselves up, but realize not everyone can and we’re happy to give others a boost.
I’m writing to you because I love our country, our America. I’m losing sleep because I’m worried about our future. And sleep is very important to a Midwesterner. I’ve been campaigning for Congress for two years in a district that was solidly blue with strong labor unions for 70 of the last 77 years, but in the last presidential election supported Trump by 15 points. I was a state legislator for 8 years, and have seen our communities become divided, so unusual because they have survived by being together.
Our country is strong because of our diversity. It is something that should be cherished. Our country is wealthier and more powerful than the rest of the world. We opened our doors—immigrants came to America to build their dream, find their freedom. Immigrants became Americans, proudly serving our country, waiving the American flag. Our melting pot created a country that is the envy of the world. Our experiment has held.
Minnesota is the state that has provided two vice presidents, Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale, scrappy Senators like Paul Wellstone, and smart, respected Representatives like Jim Oberstar. Leaders are not born they are molded by their experiences. And Minnesota shaped these leaders. Our leaders cared about their neighbors, wanted to ensure that the most vulnerable had the opportunities and resources to live a good life. Humphrey laid the foundation for civil rights and fought for fair employment, organized labor, and humanitarian foreign aid. Mondale changed the role of the Vice Presidency, making it a true part of the executive branch. He knew his role was to help and to support the President, he said “I wanted to be a trouble shooter, and I wanted to take on chores around the country and around the world.” He called for a more accountable Presidency under the checks of the Cabinet, the Congress, the media, and the public. He carried on the Minnesota tradition of championing civil rights, the Equal Rights Amendment, and progressive values. After he lost the presidential race in 1984, he told his children that even if he hadn't won the people's votes, he felt he had won their respect by telling the truth, and he was proud of that. You see, Minnesotans are truth tellers, to such a degree that it may hurt their own cause. Mondale told voters that if they wanted to reduce the national debt, we would either need to cut spending or increase taxes—neither a popular option. When Mondale lost his bid to be President he said, “I'd rather be the underdog in a campaign about decency than to be ahead in a campaign only about self-interest.” Reminding us about the importance of respecting others, having empathy, and wanting our neighbors to succeed. After the election, Mondale told his children, "There are many things worse than losing a campaign, including losing your integrity or your self-respect." After spending the last two years listening to people, I realize we need Minnesota values now more than ever.
Minnesota has shaped Tim Walz as well. He truly is humble. He knows the importance of being a team, helping your neighbors, and earning your respect. Walz has learned and grown as a Minnesota politician—he’ll be the Midwestern humble voice giving support and encouragement. He’ll be a cheerleader for America and a coach creating a team that is united to help face what’s to come. He will make us proud to be Americans and will spread the joy that so many of us need. Minnesota has offered up another leader and the rest of the country should seize the opportunity to take him from us.
Paul Wellstone said, “I don't think politics has anything to do with left, right, or center. It has to do with trying to do right by people.”
I’m relying on you, Americans, to do right by people; to participate in our democracy, to vote with compassion—you have the power to protect our experiment, to keep our dream alive—it’s in your hands.
Respectfully,
Jen Schultz
