Hartwig eyes 12A seat
Ryan Hartwig of Brainerd on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the House District 12A seat now held by Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd.
Hartwig, 30, a small business owner, is seeking the Republican endorsement and said he'll abide by the decision of that convention. The House District 12 endorsing convention will be conducted at a date yet to be determined in March or April.
The lifelong resident of Brainerd said the Legislature must enact a state budget and tax policy that focuses on job creation.
"Our 17 percent unemployment rate in Brainerd ... is totally unacceptable," he said in a statement.
He said Tuesday he'd like to see tax credits for innovation and tax cuts for small businesses.
"The difference between myself and the incumbent couldn't be wider," he said Tuesday. "He wants to focus on taxing and regulating."
Minnesota has to concern itself with needs as opposed to wants, Hartwig said, in the same manner that a family has to approach the problem of limited means. Hartwig said he opposed to any new taxes.
Ryan Hartwig
"My family has to put food on the table before we buy a flat screen TV," he said.
The Republican candidate said he would leave the door open when it came to using fees or gambling revenue to help fix the upcoming budget deficits. He expressed concern that Minnesota's business climate is driving business away.
"We're open to all good ideas," he said. "We don't want to put us further in the red. We don't want to over-tax people. Business owners are struggling. They don't have much more to give."
A graduate of Central Lakes College, Hartwig said community colleges and vocational education need a strengthened commitment from the state, perhaps by reorganizing other parts of the government and redundant programs and excessive spending.
Watching the Legislature allow state spending to grow out of control was what prompted his bid for the Legislature, Hartwig said. He said he doesn't underestimate the challenge of running against an incumbent but that he intends to deliver his message of fiscal responsibility and limited government.
The first time political candidate pledged to preserve the mortgage interest deduction for Minnesota homeowners, describing it as a valuable tax benefit for Minnesota families.
Hartwig owns Pro-Wash, a family washing and painting specialty service. He said the business employs up to four family members (including Hartwig) in the warm weather months. He is a Brainerd High School graduate and was a student representative to the Minnesota Alternative Associations Program. In recent years, he said, he has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
His family includes his wife, Kellie; and their two children, Cadence, 5; and Teagan, 3.
Another Republican, Zachariah Jackson of rural Brainerd, expressed interest in running for that seat earlier but has not yet entered the race. Jackson, contacted Tuesday said he still plans to run and said competition is healthy. Jackson said he too would abide by the decision of the endorsing convention.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.