I am running for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 3A, which includes Cook, Lake, Koochiching and part of St. Louis counties. I own International Dental Arts in International Falls, where we manufacture crowns and dentures for the dentists in the region. I serve on the board of directors of several nonprofit volunteer groups in the district, including three snowmobile clubs and a couple of tourism organizations. I never have held public office.
I’m running for the Minnesota House because I feel a duty to give back to a region and a community that has been very good to me and my family. This is, and always will be, the land I love and call home. I love the people, the towns, the outdoors and the way of life here. I am tired of seeing our populations and our communities eroded because of poor policy from St. Paul. We need leaders who will be our voice.
I believe our voices and our ideas are neither being heard nor implemented in St. Paul. There has been too much political pandering by career politicians for too long. It is time we get community-minded leaders in office who will represent the people who elected them. Politicians who are following agendas of people and special-interest groups outside of the district aren’t working for us; this is no longer acceptable.
We need to vote smart. We need to get to know the people who are running for office before we vote for them because we believe they will best represent our voice in St. Paul. You can find out more about me at VoteEric2014.com. Or you can call me anytime at (218) 244-6506. I would love to hear from you and listen to your concerns, answer any questions and work hard to be your voice in St. Paul.
Vote for me because I am the person who will best represent your thoughts and ideals in the Minnesota House. Vote for me because I will be there to listen to your concerns on the issues that affect northern Minnesota. Vote for me and I will bring more northern Minnesota to St. Paul and bring less St. Paul to northern Minnesota. You need to vote smart on Nov. 4. There is just too much at stake.
Eric Johnson of Ranier, Minn., is the Republican challenger for Minnesota House District 3A.
