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I think that Minnesota is different because we are proving that tri-partisan government could work, that you do not need to necessarily be a Democrat or a Republican to be successful at governing.

Minnesotans are ticket splitters. They look to the candidate, not the party, which is the way it should be, and that's only going to help me.

It's a sense in Minnesota that we need to get back to common sense. We need to get back to taking sensible looks at positions and understanding the proper role of government.

When you win an election, what you really win is a chance to go to work for working families who need a voice in Minnesota.

Minnesota has a proud tradition of having two Senators on the Ag committee - a tradition I'd like very much to continue.

The way I see it, I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator. I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from the state of Minnesota.

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.

The tough thing about these senatorial jobs is you get 'yes' or 'no' votes. Your whole job is to either say 'yes' or 'no' and explain why.

I grew up in a politically aware household: very civically-minded, good Minnesota liberals.