MINNESOTA
     Governor—Republican State Convention May 13-14, 2022
    Republican Primary Aug. 9, 2022


State Sen. Michelle Benson
Announcement Speech
Ham Lake
Sept. 1, 2021
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION transcript [video]

Good morning and thank you all for joining me today. I'm Michelle Benson from Ham Lake, right here in a Anoka County and today, I'm announcing that I'm a candidate to be governor of Minnesota.

From the time I was a little girl growing up on our family farm, my parents, who are with me here today—don't make me cry—they lived the values they wanted me to carry. Stewardship. Faith. Family. Hard work. Service. They told me to get the work done and not worry about who gets the credit. Those values molded me into who I am today. They compel me to leave my community, my state, better than I found it, to create a brighter future for all Minnesotans.

As you look around today, you might wonder where's that bright future for Minnesota is.

The left is defunding the police. Crime rates are skyrocketing. The governor shut down our schools, and test scores are falling like a rock. He crippled mainstream businesses. He belittles those who ask questions. He creates a divide in our state that grows wider each day he's in office. Minnesotans across the board are less hopeful than they were four years ago.

Well, I've seen enough. I want to bring our shared values back to the forefront. I want us to work together. I was raised where service wasn't about speeches; it was about showing up early and staying until the work was done. Minnesota should be a place where that work, those dreams can grow. where families and businesses succeed. A place we can be proud to pass to the next generation of Minnesotans. Yes, this will be hard work but together, together, we can make Minnesota safer, better, stronger. A brighter future for Minnesota starts right now.

Many of you know that my husband Craig served in the Navy. Traditionally, sailors use the North Star to navigate their way safely home through even the roughest seas. Well Minnesota, our state, is being tossed through some pretty rough waters right now.  But our state, the North Star State, we're going to navigate safely to the values we share, to a government that serves the people instead of holding it back.

So my friends, today is the day. It starts right now. I want you to join me. And together we will make Minnesota safer, better, stronger. I am Michelle Benson. I'm running to be your next governor so roll up your sleeves and let's get to work.

First of all, to be very grateful, humbly grateful for my family. Our son Grant couldn't be with us today. He has his obligations. But my husband Craig, our daughter, Claire and my son Calvin and my family. I could not take this step forward without their trust, their faith and their commitment to support me.

And to all of you. Thank you, my friends, my family, my neighbors. Those who started this journey with me when I was a little girl, my first election, my re-election. You all mean the world to me. And you being here today sets us off on a very good foot. We're going to take this journey. It will be fun, it will be hard. We're gonna do it together.

Go to the campaign website: MichelleforMinnesota.com You don't need my background but all those folks out there need to meet me, need to get to know me: MichelleforMinnesota. To learn more about me, to learn about the issues I stand for, to donate so that we can build a strong campaign, so we can take our message all over the state of Minnesota, so we can bring a brighter future to the people of Minnesota. I want to thank all of you for being here today. God bless you and God bless the great state of Minnesota.

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