"Working for the Working Class"
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the factors that determined why you decided to
run for State Representative?
As the state legislature continued to make it more difficult on the
liquor industry, I was forced to look to a supplemental source of income
for my family and myself. In June of 2004, I purchased my first
limousine and by May of 2005, Royalty Limousine Inc. was formed.
As the limousine business continued to grow and prosper, I saw my bar
business hit
hard by new laws and regulations by the state. It wasn't until the
latest transportation bill; HF2800 was passed in February
2008 that I decided my only chance to save the small business sector in
Minnesota was to run for state representative. I
have seen a constant decline in my bar business through state
regulations passed in 2007. Talking with other small
business owners on the Iron Range, I found this is not just an isolated
incident exclusive to the bar business. Continued
increases in the price of motor fuel, heating oil and taxes have hurt
nearly every small business in Northern Minnesota.
Having a direct stake in the success of working class families on the
Iron Range I felt it was my duty and obligation to fight
for the working people in the state of Minnesota.
On a personal level, my Son Leighton is one of the main reasons for my
desire to run for the State legislature. We need to secure the way
of life in Minnesota, that all of us grew up to appreciate, for our
children. As I continue to see the crippling effects by the state
regulations on the small business sector and the lives of working
families, I knew I had to run for the Minnesota legislature. I have to
do whatever I can to keep money in the pockets of working men and women
and to make the small business sector successful and prosper again.
2. What issues confronting the district 5B now are of most
concern to you and why?
As a member of the working class in Minnesota, I have established a
significant number of issues that I feel are very important to not only
members of the district, but to all citizens of Minnesota. I have
chosen to fight for the working class; our children and our seniors by
establishing eight main issues that I feel will have a direct impact to
every one of us. These issues are fundamental to our way of life,
whether it be from direct tax reductions for individuals to lower fees
for our small businesses. As the owner of two small businesses in
Northern Minnesota, I have seen and felt the direct impact of the taxes
and inappropriate fiscal management of the Democratic Party while in
control of both houses of the Minnesota legislature. I have
established my goals to help citizens of Minnesota, especially those of
us living in District 5B.
These goals are issues most important for economy to have an immediate
boost and stimulate our way of living. The success of our businesses is
largely dependent on the economic climate of the business community as a
whole. Economic growth drives more economic growth. Businesses that are
successful can hire more people and can afford to pay those better
wages; people with more disposable income have more to spend on travel,
leisure and entertainment and contribute more to the local economy, thus
completing the cycle. Promoting and investing in small businesses
is vital to the communities they serve, as they are usually indicators
of the local economy as a whole. I believe that if we allow the
state to take our hard-earned money for their special interests, we will
fail to sustain our way of life. All of my goals will have
positive, long-term affects on each and everyone in our district and for
all residents across the state of Minnesota.
3. What commitments will you give to the citizens of district
5B?
My goal is not to become a career politician like so many of our elected
officials before me and who currently service our area. I only want to
make for a better way of life for all citizens to live by for many years
to come. My promise is to serve for two terms, totaling four years. I
have made a promise to my wife Rhiannon and my son Leighton. I
have an obligation to be with my family as Leighton begins school and
begins playing sports. If successful in the primary election in
September, I will focus all of my energy towards my DFL opponent in the
general election. I can only determine, by his voting record, that
his obligations are no longer to the residents of his district and only
to his colleagues in the legislature. Once we forget who we are
and where we came from, it is time for us to return to the private
sector and contribute to the economy as members of the working class.