Editorial: Proven ability is key in state House races
57A: JOHN KRIESEL
The Editorial Board’s conversation with political newcomer John Kriesel, Republican contender for the open House seat in the Cottage Grove area, may have been the most uplifting hour spent with any candidate this year.
I am a blue collar guy and have been employed since the age of 15. On my 17th birthday, I enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard. I served for 10 years while also maintaining a full-time civilian job at a manufacturing facility.
I was deployed to Kosovo in 2004 as part of a NATO peacekeeping force. Less than two years later, I was deployed to Iraq where I was stationed at Camp Fallujah. Through my service in peacetime and combat, I gained valuable leadership experience as well as the determination and work ethic to complete any task given to me, under any circumstance. During my career I was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart Medal, and Bronze Star Medal.
Minnesota is very successful in insuring a large number of its residents, and ranks among the healthiest states in the nation. However, the rising cost of health care is a top concern of citizens.
Citizens are expected to live within their means, governments should be held to the same standard. It is my goal to erase the state deficit and balance the budget by eliminating wasteful spending on unnecessary programs.
