Brainerd native Taylor Stevenson, 24, announced plans to run for the Minnesota Senate District 10 seat.
A formal announcement is expected Tuesday.
Stevenson was the DFL-endorsed candidate for Minnesota Senate District 12 in 2010.
“The last campaign really gave me a deeper appreciation of my community and what this community is about,” Stevenson said. He said his experience during the last couple of years helped him to gain more understanding of the issues and the personal effects of issues like homelessness that go beyond the statistics.
“It’s not real until you see the face of it,” Stevenson said, adding now that he’s gained more life experience those are issues driving him to run for office.
Stevenson said such issues of people without jobs or homes, or seniors facing high health care costs drive a need to begin a policy discussion earlier. He counts education as one of those conversation starters.
Stevenson said he’s been humbled by supporters. support“They believe in me and what I have to offer and they are willing to be part of a larger conversation of how we bring our community together and move it forward,” he said.
Stevenson said he wants to talk about the underlying causes of unemployment. People are working multiple minimum wage jobs just to make ends meet.
“We need to broaden that conversation out a little bit and talk about how we can make this economy sustainable,” Stevenson said. “What is the next industry? What could Brainerd do better than anybody else?”
Topics include looking at jobs of the future and how to finance schools, Stevenson said.
“That’s what I am interested in,” he said.
Focusing on education is a key piece of the campaign for Stevenson. He said that is how students will be able to compete in the global economy and having those jobs here will allow young people to remain in the lakes area. But how can that be done from a seat in the state senate? “I think we need to see a senator who is going to take a personal responsibility to be an advocate for this area,” Stevenson said. “I don’t think we’ve had that for a couple of years.”
Stevenson said he has the passion to reach out for nontraditional and innovative sources for funding, including the federal government, nonprofits and public/private partnerships. The lakes area needs someone who is going to be an advocate for the area not for a personal agenda, Stevenson said.
Beyond political parties or divisions, Stevenson said he is looking to bridge that gap and speak to the center.
“I think there is a lot of common ground and common sense solutions that get pushed to the side while the conversation happens at the margins with the extremes taking control.
“Why not talk about things where we can make progress and move forward.”
Stevenson said he is looking for the best ideas out there whether that’s liberal or conservative or not even on the spectrum.
“I think we need someone who is focused on good ideas,” along with rigourous public service, he said.
“I think that’s the difference,” Stevenson said. “I’m interested in doing what’s best for this whole community not what’s in my personal best interest or a certain party’s best interest.”
He described himself as a longtime citizen activist with leadership involvement in the Brainerd School District levy referendums and in “Poverty Bound,” an initiative to raise awareness of poverty in the Brainerd lakes area.
Stevenson is making a formal announcement Tuesday with the public invited to parties at three homes in the area: 2 p.m. at Paul and Carol Bailey’s home, 20938 280th Place, Isle; 6 p.m. at Kathy Meyer’s home at 206 Fifth St., Crosby; 8 p.m. at Andrea Holmes’ house at 8451 Greenwood Road in Baxter.
Stevenson said he expects to receive the party’s endorsement at the March 24 at the convention at the Crosby High School.
Comments (50)
Add commentShadrack
even Rush Limbaugh didn't say that he could call people in to "get" his opponents, like Tay did. Have him show some nice for a while and get back to us, OK? While you're at it ask the rest of the "tollerant" left to join in.
case dismissed
How many of us have made a snarky comment to someone we 'thought' was our friend, only to regret it later?
And thank goodness that most people do not tape us.
He who is without sin cast the first stone. Is this seriously all the GOP has to attempt to destroy this young mans credibility?
Stevenson's remark was not a threat to any county commissioner - everyone knows it, that's why it was dismissed.
Idealist or Realist?
You'd think that the "smart people" would understand that real issues are solved by real answers and before one can support others, first they must be able to support them self. That is realistic not idealistic!
Snowda/Marsbar one of the same?
Is your decision making process better now as compared to your youth? If it is, why is that?
Is there a difference between who one threatens? If I threaten my neighbor , is it the same to my work superior,to a member of my family or a peace officer?...are they not all threats ? Once again, do you use more measured words now than when you were in your early twenties? Why is that if you do?
I am not the GOP
Minnesnowda. Can you please quit labeling me as such and please don't say "everyone knows it" without proving it. Your assumptions aren't the rule of law.
I have met "Tay"
and after, I can understand why he would make "snarky" comments rather than just approach the person he has a beef with and speak like a man with an actual set of balls.
He has served on some comissions and help create some happy thought ideas, tell me something he's been involved with that has actually produced positive results. Show me something that he can actually say he played an active role in improving someone's situation without causing detriment to someone else. I read that he was or is on the Blandin Foundation board, so this means nothing as he's just advising how to spend someone else's money.
I want to know, give me something that he has done other than make it through college and take a job as substitute teacher. If he truly does have the Ivy League pedigree and that's the best he can do, I certainly have no faith in his ability to be a leader in our state.
Perhaps you should first cut your teeth on a local school board or volunteer in something that you actually have to put some effort into like borrowing a toolbelt and build a few homes for humanity or become a fireman or first responder. Maybe teach some swimming at the Y or work a few blood drives?
Family Ties..
Yes...the DFL...one big happy family taking care of their own.
FnB..Rush and Bill?
One of the same...both are laughing all the way to the bank and the joke is on those who take them seriously.
Our future lies in the youth
We need to get more young people involved in this process so that it does not continue to be the "good old boys and women" there. Young people are resigning because they cannot manage families and what we are left with are the seasoned legislators. Taylor is a breath of fresh air. I have met him last time around and I am very impressed.
Brainnews
I don't intend on taking your statement out of context however, we should remove all legislators and replace them with 20 something’s so we can "get a breath of fresh air"? Seems pretty dangerous in my opinion.
I suggest we elect officials based on the depth of their resume and life experience and proposed plans, not popularity or feel good statements. I think the overall argument against Taylor is he lacks in both areas with the exception of popularity within the DFL party. Working for non-profit collective groups with driven agendas doesn't exactly equate to the moderate pitch he selling.
I’ve said it a thousand times, let him run and allow the voters to decide. What is the worst possible outcome for the DFL? He isn’t elected and waits a couple additional years to run again?
Gourmet...
I read that he was or is on the Blandin Foundation board, so this means nothing as he's just advising how to spend someone else's money.
So....isn't that exactly what our legislators do? Advise how to spend our money? So I guess he DOES have job experience then.
Gourmet
Perhaps Mr. Stevenson could do better for himself if he left the area. That's what many of our bright stars are doing. But did it occur to you, Gourmet, that he might be more interest in what's best for our community than what's best for himself? Do we really want leaders who are more concerned with their own bottom lines than with what is best for our community?
I've been watching Mr. Stevenson over the last several years, and what I have seen has impressed me. He volunteers throughout our area. He is a Kinship Partner and his work with Bridges of Hope is admirable.
Just in case you would consider letting facts intrude on your--admittedly quite colorful--rantings: Mr. Stevenson did teach swimming at the Y. I know some young people who were in his classes. He has also "worked" blood drives and has been a first responder since he was in high school.
Future Politicians
I wish these young guys would first spend a couple of years in the military prior to becoming a politician. Are they too good to serve their country in uniform? Instead they want to become a career politician from the start with no military experience whatsoever. We have way too many of these type of people representing us in various political offices without any military service to their country. Can't this guy pass an induction physical?
Ordy....so you are claiming
Ordy....so you are claiming that one can't be an effective politician if one has not served in the Military? And unless one can pass the military induction physical, they shouldn't even try? Seriously? I guess that counts out anyone with a physical disability. Too bad. There are a great many brilliant minds trapped in less than perfect bodies.
OkeyDokey
I don't think Ordy claimed anything. He merely stated his opinion as expressed by the "I wish" opening statement. Nice attempt to fan the flames.
Taylor will do fine
And represent the folks in the Lakes Region.
- Mike
Oh my Owllander
You seem to have his resume handy. Taytay could not have been a first responder in high school unless he was 18. Perhaps he was his senior year, so that means if you take away his college years, he put up a solid 2, maybe 3 months of doing it? That's laughable! His involvement with Kinship and Bridges of Hope; did he do this in Brainerd when he was away in college too?
Look, the kid's 24 and has nothing under his belt other than being a walking soundbite and he wants to bring the "new industry" to the area, lol. This kid isn't qualified to run a hot-dog cart and he's going to be our go-too guy to put Brainerd on the map as the silicone valley of God knows what.
How about some organic bait farming or sustainable fishing lure manufacturing, Tay, I haven't heard of anyone doing that yet?! Recycling fishing line perhaps?? Free Trade salvage golf balls?
Obama's "people" are
in the process of outlawing the farmer's markets so leave the organic food out. Where will Michelle have to walk to next week to gather greens for the family supper?
I hunch Fair n Balanced is unbalanced
Pretty decent identifier, however, please do us a favor and do more Fair n Balanced.
I was a Republican, until they threw me out.
RINO is ok for now.
Guess Abraham Lincoln would wonder about this current crop of GOP, Aka Republicans.
Guess a Johnson vs. Goldwater 1964 type presidential election landslide may hold some promise for the future.
Aka. Obama vs. Santorum 2012
Gourmet go back to cooking
and I believe that would be in Nisswa?
Nice response. Using baby talk names for citizens willing to run for public office and for volunteering in their community.
If you read the paper you'd know most of this volunteer work was in the last couple of years. I read the whole paper not just the comments.