Before moving to Albert Lea, I taught for a year at Mankato West High School. Little did I know at the time that two of my co-workers there would become successful politicians, one in St. Paul and one in Washington. Mr. Walz from the social studies department would become Congressman Tim Walz, and Mrs. Brown from the art department would become state Rep. Robin Brown.

Tim Walz was one of the most respected and popular teachers at West. Known for his enthusiasm, passion for world geography and vast knowledge of geopolitics due to his vast military, professional and personal travel, I wasn’t the least bit surprised when he was elected to Congress. Tim Walz is a pragmatic representative of the people. He has a proven record of working with both parties to craft and pass good legislation. And his bipartisan spirit is reflected in the many endorsements he’s received from high profile Republicans and Democrats alike, as well as in his many organizational endorsements — from Education Minnesota and the Human Rights Campaign, to the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Union and the National Rifle Association.

Likewise, Robin Brown has earned the admiration and respect of her colleagues and students in her career as an art teacher, and she’s been doing fantastic work in St. Paul while representing District 27A the past four years. She understands the complexities of school funding and will continue to fight for a more fair, simple and equitable funding formula for our schools, just as she works for a responsible and fair approach to balancing the state’s budget. She understands that balancing budgets includes difficult decisions and that these decisions won’t always be popular, but she’s willing to make them. Moreover, Robin is one of the most approachable, accessible and down-to-earth elected officials I’ve ever met.

Please re-elect Congressman Tim Walz and state Rep. Robin Brown on Nov. 2.

Jeremy Corey-Gruenes

Albert Lea