Minnesota House Rep. Robin Brown has worked hard for District 27A. She deserves your vote on Election Day.

The race between Brown, a DFLer from Moscow Township, and Erik Larsen, a Republican from Albert Lea, has been fairly cordial. Sure, there is some nasty party literature out there, but the dialogue between the candidates themselves has been in bounds. They even say nice things about each other behind their backs. Both say they respect and even like their opponent.

We like them both, too. Larsen is a good candidate. It’s just that Brown has proven herself in the past two years as the local representative. She is tuned into the needs of southern Minnesota.

Look at how she fought hard to get the funding into the bonding bill so the cleanup of the Edgewater Park could begin. Look at how she stood firm in favor of the gas tax and made sure the bill would bring funding to roads in Freeborn and Mower counties. Look at how she supports extending health care insurance to people without it. Look at how she supported extending JOBZ, even when metro legislators were opposed to it. Look at how she favors the single-factor corporate tax plan for manufacturers. Look at how time and again she supports education and how she is working diligently to repair the messed-up funding formula.

Her heart is in this. She truly cares.

But Brown is pragmatic, too. When it comes to cutting the budget, which will need to happen this year, she doesn’t just want to make grandiose political statements such as “across the board.” She said she would start with programs slated to sunset anyway, then go cut pilot projects and then go to excessive grant programs and work from there.

Two years ago, Brown seemingly came out of nowhere. Since, she has developed relationships across the two counties in her district and courted relationships at St. Paul. She might disagree with Gov. Tim Pawlenty on some issues, but she nonetheless has a healthy and civil relationship with him. That’s a sign of a good listener and an open mind.

Re-elect Brown. She’s earned it.