Minnesota values on stage

I want to thank the League of Women Voters (LWV) for recent candidate forums in Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. Candidate forums let us see candidates in non-controversial settings. These were calm, civil, with clear structure and no arguments. Candidates get identical questions from the LWV team. 

I do wish there could have been fact-checking. For example, a GOP candidate in District 49 asked where refunds were from the recent surplus. Now, I had JUST seen a reminder from 2023 to Minnesotans about watching for the refund checks. Did she just forget? Hmm. Not a good look for someone wanting to spend public money.

I live in 49A, Alex Falconer‘s district. Alex has a record of working and volunteering in civic and school groups. He knows our community from the ground up and how the rest of the state is important for success in our area. 49B‘s incumbent is Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn,  a dedicated community member working for Eden Prairie and Minnesota. Both of these DFL candidates stand up for Minnesota’s common values that unite us in supporting one another. 

Hennepin County’s District 6 commissioner candidate forum was in Minnetonka. Heather Edelson showed up there as a public servant who knows how to get things done. She was part of the MN Legislature that delivered real work for Minnesota families and businesses despite GOP stalling and games. Hennepin County’s responsibilities reach every one of us, and I’m glad to vote for her stability and financial insights. 

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I appreciate the LWV for letting us see these candidates on a small stage, without news cameras, sound bites, banners, T-shirts, caps, or cheering fans. Voting is more than marking the paper; it means getting informed about who can do the job, not just who wants media attention. 

Don’t vote weird!

Kathryn L. Johnson, Minnetonka