Candidate's viewpoint: Susan Kent

I am Susan Kent and I am running for the open Senate seat in the new Senate District 53. I commend The Woodbury Bulletin for providing thorough coverage of many local elections. As our nation, state and communities are coming out of difficult times, this election year is consequential.

To tell you a bit about myself, my husband, Chris, and I live in Woodbury with our son, Andrew. For the past several years, I have been an at-home parent and an active community member. Before that, I worked for more than 20 years in marketing, consulting with a wide range of companies, large and small. I have had broad experience in areas that represent the diverse issues facing our state and community.

And here’s what I have learned, and why I am running: We can do better. It is time to end partisan politics and focus on the real priorities of Minnesota. As a Woodbury resident with family ties to the community, I have had the opportunity to get to know people in our area. I’ve been listening as I’ve knocked on thousands of doors across Woodbury, Landfall, Maplewood and Oakdale, and what I’ve heard is loud and clear. Focus on jobs, the economy and education.

I am ready to fight for our core values. I can help restore Minnesota’s focus on its people, their education and good jobs. We must work together toward a bright future.

As we are coming out of difficult times, we face a choice. We can continue with divisiveness and distractions, or we can focus on our economy and our future and make the most of our opportunities. We must marshal our resources and build a strong economy that provides good jobs and a stable middle class, and I want to build coalitions across the board to meet this challenge.

Working together, we can get back to a Minnesota that works. Join me in finding solutions for challenges we face.

I ask for your vote on Nov. 6.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kent is the Democratic candidate running for Senate District 53

Tags: opinion, viewpoint, elections