Candidate's View: Together, our democracy can thrive, be better, with good jobs, benefits

I’m the DFL-endorsed candidate running to represent District 7B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I’m running because I believe in a Minnesota where everyone can thrive, a Minnesota that offers access to living-wage jobs with good benefits, strong public schools, and expanded access to our democracy.
I’ve called Duluth home since graduating from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Shortly afterward, my husband and I purchased a house in the Denfeld neighborhood. This fall we welcomed our first child into our home.Being elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives would be a way for me to put my love for Duluth into action, serving my family, neighbors, and the people of Minnesota and helping to build a bright future for all of us.My work in Duluth has included advocacy for access to health care, worker protections, and ending homelessness. Across these issues, I have engaged and mobilized diverse groups of people, especially those often left out of the political process, to shape policy solutions at the state and local level. I have proven my effectiveness and have been recognized for my ability to forge new relationships and to build on my current relationships in order to champion sound policies that benefit our neighbors.I take this experience forward as I run to represent District 7B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I’ve been door-knocking since May, crisscrossing our district from Gary to Lincoln Park, because I’m committed to hearing your voices in order to understand your ideas and your challenges. Every neighbor I speak with shares a story of hope or concern, a story of struggle or gratitude. Those are the stories that motivate me now and will motivate me to work hard in St. Paul to ensure a better future for all of us.As your next representative, I will continue the commitment to hearing the voices of my community. Since launching my campaign in January, I’ve earned the support of leaders like my campaign chairwoman, former Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon. I’ve also earned the support of many organizations and individuals because of my ability to identify and work toward common goals.Throughout my campaign, I’ve said, “Together we’re better.” This is not just a tagline. It is how I operate as a candidate and will operate as your elected official. I ask for your support in the primary election on Aug. 9. And I ask you to join me in working toward a Minnesota where everyone can thrive. Liz Olson of Duluth is a candidate for Minnesota House District 7B. She wrote this at the invitation of the News Tribune. About this columnTwo DFLers are vying to be their party’s candidate on Election Day, Nov. 8, to face Republican Cody Barringer, a 30-year-old flight instructor for Lake Superior College, in the race to represent Minnesota House District 7B in Duluth. Incumbent Rep. Erik Simonson is stepping down to run for state Senate. The top DFL vote-getter in the Aug. 9 primary will move on to the general election. Here, today, one of those DFL candidates makes her best pitch to voters. The other candidate, Bryan Jensen, 47, of Duluth’s Piedmont Heights neighborhood, didn’t respond to requests from the News Tribune to also write a commentary.I’m the DFL-endorsed candidate running to represent District 7B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I’m running because I believe in a Minnesota where everyone can thrive, a Minnesota that offers access to living-wage jobs with good benefits, strong public schools, and expanded access to our democracy.
I’ve called Duluth home since graduating from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Shortly afterward, my husband and I purchased a house in the Denfeld neighborhood. This fall we welcomed our first child into our home.Being elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives would be a way for me to put my love for Duluth into action, serving my family, neighbors, and the people of Minnesota and helping to build a bright future for all of us.My work in Duluth has included advocacy for access to health care, worker protections, and ending homelessness. Across these issues, I have engaged and mobilized diverse groups of people, especially those often left out of the political process, to shape policy solutions at the state and local level. I have proven my effectiveness and have been recognized for my ability to forge new relationships and to build on my current relationships in order to champion sound policies that benefit our neighbors.I take this experience forward as I run to represent District 7B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I’ve been door-knocking since May, crisscrossing our district from Gary to Lincoln Park, because I’m committed to hearing your voices in order to understand your ideas and your challenges. Every neighbor I speak with shares a story of hope or concern, a story of struggle or gratitude. Those are the stories that motivate me now and will motivate me to work hard in St. Paul to ensure a better future for all of us.As your next representative, I will continue the commitment to hearing the voices of my community. Since launching my campaign in January, I’ve earned the support of leaders like my campaign chairwoman, former Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon. I’ve also earned the support of many organizations and individuals because of my ability to identify and work toward common goals.Throughout my campaign, I’ve said, “Together we’re better.” This is not just a tagline. It is how I operate as a candidate and will operate as your elected official. I ask for your support in the primary election on Aug. 9. And I ask you to join me in working toward a Minnesota where everyone can thrive.Liz Olson of Duluth is a candidate for Minnesota House District 7B. She wrote this at the invitation of the News Tribune.About this columnTwo DFLers are vying to be their party’s candidate on Election Day, Nov. 8, to face Republican Cody Barringer, a 30-year-old flight instructor for Lake Superior College, in the race to represent Minnesota House District 7B in Duluth. Incumbent Rep. Erik Simonson is stepping down to run for state Senate. The top DFL vote-getter in the Aug. 9 primary will move on to the general election. Here, today, one of those DFL candidates makes her best pitch to voters. The other candidate, Bryan Jensen, 47, of Duluth’s Piedmont Heights neighborhood, didn’t respond to requests from the News Tribune to also write a commentary.