Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer believes he has a message that separates himself from other candidates in the race for the seat of governor.

During a stop in Albert Lea Thursday at The Trumble’s Restaurant, Emmer, R-Delano, met with about a dozen area residents to share that message and to answer questions.

In what was a low-key visit seated around tables in the restaurant, Emmer, 48 and a member of the state House of Representatives, explained that he is not a career politician.

“This has not been my career and it will never be my career,” Emmer said.

This makes him different, he said, because career politicians usually have the main goal of simply getting re-elected.

“This is not the way it was supposed to be,” he said, noting that people originally ran for office because they wanted to give back to their communities.

Though he’s only been in the state Legislature for five years, he said he thinks he has a record and opinions that will make him a good governor.

He has represented business, local governments and individuals for almost 20 years as a trial lawyer, has coached hockey and has been married for 24 years.

Emmer said the next governor needs to understand firsthand what it’s like to run a business in Minnesota.

“You need to have sat at both ends of the bench … so you can motivate everything in between,” he said.

The next governor also needs to reduce the size of government, he said, as it has grown 20 percent every two years since the 1960s. Minnesota needs to get back to where it’s working from the person up to the government, not from the government down to the person.

He asked, why is a Minnesota Department of Health and a Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services? It was one example he cited where the state government could reduce its size.

He said when it comes to voting, he votes to protect life, liberties and property.

Voting on those values makes things easier, he said.

“Leadership is about leading people to where they need to be and then explaining why,” Emmer said.

He would also support reducing taxes and unnecessary regulations.

Throughout his conversation with area residents, Emmer shared personal stories of his family and friends.

“Every parent in this country wants their child to have a better life than we did,” he said. “You won’t find anyone who will fight harder for what they believe in.”

Emmer was previously in Albert Lea this year for the Freeborn County Fair and the Freeborn County Republican Party picnic.