Nontraditional is one way to put it

 I served 10 years in the Minnesota National Guard, including two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My first was a 22-month deployment 16 months in Iraq, running convoy missions as a machine gunner. Those experiences shaped how I understand service, leadership, and the responsibility we have to the people we send to war. 

 For more than a decade, I've fought for Minnesota's veterans at the State Capitol, not just talking about change, but making it happen. I've worked across party lines to pass legislation, build programs, and make sure veterans and their families have a strong voice in St. Paul. It's where I learned that getting things done matters a whole lot more than who gets the credit. 

 Of all the titles I've had, Dad is the one that matters most. Valerie and I are raising our family here in Central Minnesota, and like a lot of families, we're thinking about schools, grocery bills, healthcare, childcare, and what kind of future our kids will inherit. Running for office is ultimately about them, and about making sure every family has a fair shot at building a good life here.