CONNIE! RUTH OFFICIALLY FILES FOR RE-ELECTION BID

ST. PAUL - State Representative Connie Ruth (R-Owatonna) filed with the state campaign office in St. Paul on July 13, making official her intention to seek re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives and serve a fourth term as the voice for District 26A at the state capitol. 

After filing, Ruth spoke before crowds in both Owatonna and Waseca, thanking her supporters and pointing out the fruits of everyone’s hard work.

“I do not stand before you today to celebrate the beginning of another campaign season,” Ruth said. “Neither do I stand before you today to be applauded for any of my contributions to public service. Rather, fellow Minnesotans, I stand before you for one simple reason: we have a wonderful message to tell, and it needs to be told!”

There is cause for celebration, however. During her first three terms, Ruth has established a reputation as a bipartisan advocate for education, statewide transportation, jobs and economic growth, and health care reform. She has also been a champion for small business owners throughout the state. Ruth has been especially successful at balancing what’s best for Minnesota as a whole with her role as a representative for both Steele and Waseca Counties. 
 

Ruth reiterated that believes deeply in bipartisan cooperation within the legislature, as evidenced by her participation in the I-90 Group, which sets aside party differences to benefit southern Minnesota, the Rural Caucus and Early Childhood bipartisan groups, and the numerous pieces of bipartisan legislation she has co-sponsored. She promised that she “will continue to work across the aisles for the state as a whole.”

She reaffirmed that certain issues will remain high on the Ruth agenda, such as equitable funding statewide for education, continued job and economic growth in Minnesota, and statewide transportation funding.  
 

Transportation has always been a major issue for Ruth, as she has served on both the Transportation and Transportation Finance Committees in the Minnesota House. Equity in funding between metro and out state Minnesota has long been an issue for her, as has the completion of Highway 14 through Waseca and up to Owatonna. She has introduced legislation to provide the necessary funding for these needs, “and this year results are finally coming to fruition after years of hard work,” she said.  

Additionally, Ruth’s sensitivity to the need that exists to improve the current health care system was evident, as rising costs cause hardships on those already struggling to make ends meet. 

“I support real solutions for health care, such as a system that’s driven by consumers,” Ruth said earlier this year. We need more options, flexibility and competition, not more bureaucracy.” 
 

Overall, Ruth’s message to crowds in Owatonna and Waseca was upbeat, but emphasized that more hard work lies ahead.

“Yes, we have been getting the job done, but this is no time to rest on our laurels,” she said. “We need to maintain what is so good about this state we call home. It is absolutely critical that we keep Minnesota competitive and create jobs. We need to continue being a national leader in renewable energy. We must continue to keep our streets safe to walk alone or with our families, not only in rural Minnesota, but statewide.”

Her final words for the day were delivered with the same exuberance, buoyancy and hope that drive her campaign.

“This is a good day to live in Minnesota. Now, friends, please join me in helping to make it a great day to live in Minnesota.”