Dan Sparks, Guest Column

Although I am an elected official, I also own a television and a mailbox, and I understand how most people feel about Election Day by this point in October: Get here already. You’re sick of listening to politicians make promises and throw mud. So am I.

That’s why I’m not going to use this space to participate in that kind of politics. But I would like to ask you to briefly consider why I would be honored to continue serving as your state senator. As tedious as election season can get, it’s an incredibly fortunate freedom we have to be able to choose who represents our best interests. Millions of people have died to earn that freedom, and I believe it’s important for all of us to respect those sacrifices by exercising our rights on Election Day, no matter how you choose to vote.

The only promise I’ve ever made to the people in Freeborn, Mower and Fillmore counties is to never stop working for you and the priorities of southern Minnesota. I grew up in this area and have raised my own family here. I am deeply committed to the future of our state, and I understand we need to have a vocal advocate at the Capitol who can make sure southern Minnesota is an active player in that future.

I believe I’ve done a good job of standing up for our priorities at the state Capitol. After floods devastated our communities, I worked closely with local officials and affected residents to bring home millions of dollars in disaster relief for our cities, businesses and homeowners. This has proven to be an ongoing effort that has required me to fight for continued support of flood mitigation projects that will protect our communities from future floods. It’s a very important issue that I look forward to continuing to build upon.

I’m proud to have worked with area leaders to restore Edgewater Park to a place that is safe and clean for all Albert Lea families to enjoy. It was a years-long process that I saw through from start to finish. In addition, I’ve helped bring upgrades to Riverland Community College, improvements and replacements of local roads and bridges, and construction of a fish barrier at Fountain Lake.

I’ve never voted in lock-step with my political party; instead, I make decisions that best represent what I hear from folks back home. When the state was struggling to find money to solve a budget deficit this year, for instance, I stood up with one of the only new ideas for new revenue that didn’t rely on tax increases. People in our district have been very supportive of an idea to keep gambling dollars in our state — not Iowa — and capture several million dollars for Minnesota each year. It’s an out-of-the-box idea; something Minnesota needs more of as we consider how to dig out of this budget deficit and toward a successful future.

Here in southern Minnesota, we have a unique opportunity to play a key role in that successful future. Our renewable energy resources — and corresponding new businesses that have capitalized on those resources — are going to be a big part of the nation’s energy future. I have helped Riverland Community College create a wind turbine technician program; I’ve made sure local wind energy revenue stays here in southern Minnesota, not back in St. Paul; and I was part of the legislation that will create the largest solar project in the Upper Midwest. I am excited about continuing to work with local experts, farmers and scientists to continue building upon these opportunities.

Of course, none of these accomplishments could have happened without the leadership of local officials, business owners and other residents who have helped me advocate for our priorities. Working with so many of you has been a highlight of my time in the legislature, and I would be honored to be able to continue that work for the next two years. Given our record of past success, I am very hopeful about what we can accomplish together as the state embarks on decisions that will determine the path of this state for the next several decades.

Thank you for taking time to consider my candidacy. I appreciate the support you have granted me in the past, and I would be truly grateful for continued support on Nov. 2.

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the incumbent in the Senate District 27 race.