I was listening to the guy that represented me in the state Senate, and I just got really frustrated. I called my wife and said, 'I've always wanted to do something that makes a difference.' So I ended up running and won.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
My motivation for running for Senate was not for the stature of being a senator, but because I wanted to make a difference on issues I feel passionate about.
A funny thing happened on the way to the election - I got to the Senate first.
I'm running for senator because it's time for a change.
I ran for Congress, just once.
I was in the Minnesota state Senate from 2000 until 2006. In 2006, I was urged to run for Congress, I did. And I've been here ever since.
I've been outspent by my opponents every time I've run for U.S. Senate.
I actually defeated an incumbent Republican senator who was part of the Jesse Helm's political machine in North Carolina, the result of which is I'm now the senior senator from North Carolina instead of Jesse Helms, which is a very good thing for this country.
I thought if anyone need a leg up, it was our foster children. So, I started getting involved in education reform, and that was back in 1998. And as a result of all the reform work that I had done, people urged me to run for the Minnesota state Senate. I did, I was there for six years.
I thought I could make a difference, so I ran for office.
I have decided not to run for the U.S. Senate and instead continue my efforts to make California a better place to live, work, and raise a family. We have come a long way, but our work is not done, and neither am I.