Top Five Reasons to Elect Andrew Brobston: #5: I Want to Be Senator For You, Not Me

I want to be Senator for you, not me.

Like many people I know, I have been frustrated with our state government. We had a government shutdown over party politics and an unwillingness to work together for Minnesotans.

As a software developer, I solve problems every day by working together with people to meet as many of their interests as I can. I saw the chance to make a difference by taking this brand of problem-solving to Saint Paul. So many times, when there has been gridlock at the capitol, I found myself wishing that I could step in and try to work out the interests behind the gridlock, then try to find a better solution than whatever was proposed. I would not be doing this by myself, but rather, the process of working together in this way would produce results much better than I could have created on my own.

I came to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota, with its world-class music faculty to guide me in working toward my doctorate. When the coursework ended, I made Minnesota my home because it is a great place to live and work. I like that Minnesota is a state that sees value in its people and its natural resources. To me, Minnesota is about quality of life, and it is a quality that I hope everyone can experience in their own way.

A state government that does not work threatens our way of life. Minnesotans were affected when the shutdown closed our parks, our rest areas, and for many people, their places of employment. That is why I knew that, when the opportunity arose to run for State Senate, I needed to do so. Running for office is a time-consuming, sometimes draining, sometimes unbelievably energizing endeavor, and I'm happy to do it.

But, it's not about me. If it were, I would not be doing this. I have a good job, and I have many other things I could be doing with my time. I have no aspirations at this time for "higher" public office.

Because it's about you, when people support my campaign by sending money, I use that money to promote my candidacy, not to buy smartphones or coffee makers, and certainly not to line my pockets with "storage fees."

Because it's about you, when I go to the Legislature, I will take only actual expenses instead of taking the full per diem amount that I could get simply for the asking. It's not that far to Saint Paul, and it's your money, not mine. Yes, I will accept the legislative salary, because without it, I could not afford to take the leave of absence from my job so that I can serve you during the legislative session.

Because it's about you, I will work for you, not for a political party. I will not work as a paid consultant for the DFL like my opponent has for the Republican Party of Minnesota.

If you don't wish to take my word for it, I applaud you! We need more people interested in looking at the facts and deciding accordingly. I have gathered links documenting the above on my website at AndrewBrobstonForSenate.com/facts.

I'm sorry to make this article somewhat negative. Politics is already too negative much of the time. But, you need to know these things to make an informed decision.

I hope that you will support me at the polls on November 6! Please plan to vote. Until then, stay tuned — this was just number 5 of the top 5 reasons you should elect Andrew Brobston for Minnesota Senate.