A recent letter from an Owatonna resident attempted to smear the reputation of Dan Feehan, who is running for the congressional seat in our district being vacated by Tim Walz. Rather than talk about issues that affect the residents of our district, the writer chose to distort the truth and make a personal attack on Mr. Feehan. The intensely negative tone of the letter speaks for itself (and the motives of the writer), but I would like to correct some of her assertions.

Dan Feehan was born in Minnesota and grew up in Red Wing (which was previously a part of the 1st Congressional District he is hoping to represent). He currently lives in North Mankato (also part of the 1st Congressional District). He went away to college, joined the ROTC and served as an active duty soldier from 2005-2009, including two combat tours in Iraq.

Mr. Feehan then taught school on the south side of Chicago and in Gary, Indiana, for two years with Americorps. The letter writer asserts that these teachers are “not qualified.” People can read and form their own opinions about the qualifications of Americorps teachers, but let’s remember that these young teachers are stepping up to teach in some of the toughest and most under-served school districts in our country. Dan’s willingness to try to help the students in these districts, just like his military service, speaks volumes about his dedication to serve the people of this country. Mr. Feehan then served in the White House and as acting assistant secretary of defense in the Pentagon.

Readers can decide for themselves whether Mr. Feehan’s record of service to our country qualifies him as a “carpetbagger” (as the letter writer from Owatonna asserts). As a small business owner and long-time resident of Albert Lea, I enthusiastically embrace Mr. Feehan’s service to our country and his commitment to bipartisan solutions.

Whether you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent, I think we all can agree that we want a political system and a government that works for us, our children and our grandchildren. Let’s commit to having open discussions about the issues that affect us rather than distorting the facts and slinging mud at opposition candidates.

Thank you.

Mac Ehrhardt

Albert Lea