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Dear friends and neighbors on the Iron Range,
I hope you all had a good Easter and were able to spend some quality time with family and friends. I was thankful to be back in the district for a bit, catch up with folks in the community, and spend time with loved ones.
 My Mining Anniversary
I celebrated an exciting milestone this week: 29 years of working in the mining industry! I greatly appreciate the opportunities that I’ve had and the rich history that mining has in my family and our region. Reflecting on another year, I was reminded of the article I wrote for the Mesabi Tribune to celebrate my 25-year mining anniversary, which is a story of my career. You can read that here if you are interested.
Over the Easter break, I took advantage of my opportunity to complete my annual MSHA refresher. It was great to be back at the mine and catch up with folks that I haven’t seen in a little while due to my hiatus for the legislative session.
Tina Smith’s Bill
You may have heard about Senator Tina Smith’s proposal to permanently ban copper, nickel, and precious metals mining in a large part of NE Minnesota. This bill has sparked serious concern across the Iron Range and the broader Northland—and for good reason. Mining isn’t just part of our history, it’s the foundation of our economy and way of life. These resources power everything from clean energy technologies to national infrastructure, and Minnesota is home to some of the richest deposits in the world.
Efforts to shut down responsible mining in our region not only threaten good-paying union jobs, but also undermine the future of our communities. Banning mining outright is a political move that ignores science, common sense, and the needs of the people who live and work here.
My GOP colleagues and I are standing strong against this push to ban development and are working to make sure our voices are heard in St. Paul and Washington. We will keep advocating for policies that support our workers, grow our economy, and keep our region strong for generations to come.
PBS Specials
Two exciting PBS specials aired this Easter weekend. The WDSE Minnesota Legislative Report featured Rep. Skraba, Sen. Farnsworth, and me. We had a great hour-long discussion about House and Senate business, how it impacts the Range, and what we are doing to make a positive change.
I also participated in an Almanac interview with Mary Lahammer a few weeks ago, in which she asked me about my desire to run for office and other background information. Rather than focusing solely on policy and ideology, Mary gave me a chance to share more about myself as a person, which was a pleasant change of pace. PBS aired a succinct 6-minute segment, and you can check it out here!
 Annual Youth for Christ Gala
I also had the opportunity to attend the annual Youth for Christ Gala, and it was truly a special evening. It was great to see so many young people involved in this impactful program and to connect with others who support their mission. I’m grateful for the difference they make and proud to stand alongside them in encouraging strong values and brighter futures for our youth.
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