This is the first in a series of getting to know non-incumbents running for the Minnesota Legislature.
He is young, intelligent and speaks ardently about state’s rights without coming off radically anti-federalist. Dave Kruse may be what a Republican resurgence looks like, that is if he can defeat a two-term incumbent and win a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives from Mankato’s 23B.
“The health of the United States depends on states holding the federal government accountable, primarily by prohibiting it from overstepping its constitutional limits and infringing on the rights of the individual states and their people,” said Kruse, carefully pointing out that he is not talking about secession. “We Minnesotans know what is best for Minnesota.”
Kruse supports a sovereignty solution, which he said is the first step in stopping federal mandates and bringing issues like abortion and healthcare to the people of Minnesota to decide. “Much of what is discussed at the federal level more properly belongs to the states themselves. Also, this allows for a marketplace of ideas–with fifty state legislatures working on the same problems, we have a better chance at learning from each other's mistakes and arriving at the best solutions.”
The 31 year old software engineer said he never planned to enter politics and was a bit caught of guard when asked about his “political ambition.” “I have a fervent passion for freedom and liberty. The wonderful life I live is due in large part to those who have sacrificed their time, money and energy into preserving our Republic, not the politically ambitious.”
Kruse said he decided to run because of his (soon to be) two young children – Kruse has a young son and his wife is with-child. And said he wanted them to inherit a country where freedom and liberty are not trumped by overreaching socialism.
Kruse faces an uphill battle in what is not considered a competitive district. Two-term incumbent Kathy Brynaert won 65% percent of the vote in 2008, scoring a decisive 30 point victory over Republican Dale Jordan. Brynaert won her seat in 2006 with 61% of the vote in a district that has not been represented by a Republican since Howard Swenson lost his seat in 2002.
Still, Kruse is optimistic and said he sees a movement to a return of limited government. “I represent a surging growth of people who believe that our future is in jeopardy from a government that is growing out of control. I want to loudly encourage the grass roots movement of ordinary citizens who are demanding that power return to the people.”
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sounds almost Libertarian leaning. Not sure you will ever get federal issues back to state level - once power is given it is rarely given-up.
The Mankato area has been represented well by the DFL for long enough to know that having at least one voice in St. Paul who represents the tennants authored in this article isn't just something I desire; it is something I think we truly need.
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