Hi, my name is Derek Law.

I'm running for Senate District 8.

Before this year, I had never really considered running for office and quite frankly only paid attention to politics from a bird's eye point of view.

Over the last few years, though, even from my bird's eye point of view, I can see a glaring divide forming.

No matter what news channel you watch, you can see that across the country and here in our state, we are trying to be torn apart.

I chose to step in and run because I believe that we, the people in the middle, need a voice.

Most of us don't fall into the MAGA right or DSA left camps.

Those are just the ones who are shouting the loudest so they get the most screen time.

I'm looking to be a senator who will look at the issues impartially and not focus on the fringes.

Minnesota is a great state.

I've lived here all my life and I want to keep it great for all the generations to come.

That means making a place we can afford to live, figuring out the best solutions for energy production, investing in our infrastructure, finding a balanced tax structure, drawing businesses here, and making sure that we protect our land and environment.

I believe that my position can best be summed up as this.

I believe in a government that is careful with money, tough on fraud, focused on affordability, and willing to keep pace with the times.

We don't have to choose between economic growth and responsible government.

We shouldn't have to choose between protecting consumers and supporting innovation.

We don't have to choose between investing in Minnesota's future and giving taxpayers meaningful relief.

We can do all of these things, but only if we bring discipline, transparency, and accountability back to the state government.

Together, we can build a state where families can afford to live, businesses can afford to stay, taxpayers can trust their government, and every motan has the opportunity to succeed.

That's the Minnesota that we should be working towards and the Minnesota that I'm asking to help you build.

I may be running as a GOP candidate, but I'm ready to work across the aisle on any solution to get what our state needs.

I thank you for your consideration in the race this fall.

The League of Women Voters of Duth is a proud underwriter of PBS North.