How many of us are prepared to vote this November? As I have been looking at the candidates, I question just how can I know which candidate is best. With the incumbent, you can look at their voting record and accomplishments. With the challenger, it becomes more difficult.

Recently I discovered another source of information that is quite interesting and concerns me. The source is the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board at www.cfboard.state.mn.us/. Here is an opportunity to see where candidates receive money for their campaigns. Looking at sources of funding, it is disturbing to see the amount of money flowing into the elections from lobbyist even in our local elections.

Just as an example, in our Senate District 27 race, Dan Sparks reported $4,175 from lobbyists versus $0 for Kathy Green. Are we going to let the lobbyists run our government? Let’s make sure we elect the candidate that will work for what is best for all of us and not the lobbyists’ goals.

Rick Bremner

Austin