There is already a buzz in southern Minnesota that the Old Warrior is going to run for Sgt. Maj. Tim Walz’s 1st Congressional District seat.

Now the buzz has to be backed up with substance. And the substance is going to be the wants and needs of the families in the 1st District of Minnesota. People and agencies are not taking me very serious at this time. They are telling me that I should wait for six to 12 months before announcing my desires to represent all my friends and neighbors in the 1st District. I have been told by many that the Republicans have to come up with a quality candidate who is well-funded and well-known in the district.

I may not be very well-funded, but I am well-known in many towns and communities in the district. I intend to become known to every county, from the west to the east, by the new year. I have already let Tim know that Gunnery Sgt. McKinzie is on his way to meet and greet the people of the 1st District and to see what is most important to them. I have been told by one individual that there is no time to wait and waste. I told the Republicans higher up on the pole that if I get no response or backing, then I will just take the chair as an independent and the people’s choice. I have been given a mission, and I am heading out at this time to get ’er done.

Friends and neighbors and soldiers active and retired, the Old Warrior needs your support and input right now, along with your prayers. If everyone is thinking the same, someone isn’t thinking.

M. Frank McKinzie

U.S. Army retired

Rochester