News July 3, 2026

Friends and Neighbors,

This Fourth of July Weekend is particularly special. As I reflect on the 250-year anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, I am reminded of all the sacrifices made by those who came before us that brought us to this amazing milestone.

When the Founders of our country declared their refusal to be subjects of the British Crown, they knew that they would either have to win or face execution. The ensuing Revolutionary War would last over eight years and result in approximately 25,000 American Patriot fatalities. Several times throughout the war, they were saved from almost certain defeat by miraculous weather events. This happened at the Battle of Brooklyn in August 1776, when a great fog shielded Patriot forces from nearby British troops. It happened again in December 1776, when General Washington famously led our troops across the Delaware River during a punishing nor’easter. The howling snow and freezing weather concealed the Patriots’ assault and led to a successful surprise attack against Hessian mercenaries in the Battle of Trenton. 

Be it luck, fate, or the hand of God, Americans have continued to succeed against all odds for 250 years. 
I am so proud to be an American and to serve as your voice at the Minnesota State Legislature in this grand experiment in representative democracy. Politics is sometimes messy, and not everything is perfect, yet ours remains the greatest system of government the world has ever known. I view it as my duty to uphold the Constitution and the principles put forth by our Founders that will allow Americans to continue to thrive for generations to come.
I wish you a wonderful weekend celebrating and reflecting with family and friends!