If I am allowed the time, I will convey the entire content of this post and the next two weeks’ posts, along with To Defend or Defund? (March 26, 2024), at the April 27 Republican convention for Minnesota’s Third Congressional District. That is the convention at which the Republican Party delegates will select their endorsed candidate for my district’s seat at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Below is the start of what I would like to say to these Republican stalwarts.
The Third District is Winnable
Our historically Republican district – think Clark McGregor, Bill Frenzel, Jim Ramstad, and Erik Paulsen – can be won again this year. Today, I will explain my thinking on why we can win and what makes me the Republican candidate who can win the district back.
First, though, I have to remind you about the terrible political mistake the Democratic Party has made that opens the door for our win. You know how in football, sometimes the other team fumbles or throws the ball right into your hands and all you need to do is run it in for a touchdown? That is the gift the Democrats have handed us in nominating Dr. Kelly Morrison for this race. You probably are aware that, as a member of the Minnesota State Senate last year, Dr. Morrison authored the state’s assisted suicide bill and co-authored the bill allowing abortion without limitation. She also was a major player in the DFL’s spending of our entire $17 billion surplus.
Minnesota’s Third Congressional District voters have made perfectly clear for six decades that we do not want extremist politicians. All of the above-named Republicans, and even Democrat Dean Phillips when he first ran, positioned themselves as moderate, business-oriented problem-solvers. Contrast that with Dr. Morrison, who strongly supports President Joe Biden (calling him a “transformational leader”), and stresses her pro-abortion record in her congressional campaign. She is a Progressive’s progressive.
So, in our strategy to put a Republican in the U.S. House, the first thing we have to do is avoid making the opposite mistake, which we will do if we nominate someone equally as far to the right as Dr. Morrison is to the left.
If we nominate the right candidate, we can win. In our district, we do not vote for extremists.
I Can Win the General Election in this District
Although none of our four Republican candidates in this district has won a legislative race in the last 30 years at any level, and none of the four of us ever has won anything as a Republican, the conditions are ripe for me to do exactly that this year.
One reason I can win is that I am a new face in politics, a first-time candidate. I am an outsider coming from a business background, with bold ideas to help our country. In addition, I bring with me my faith in Jesus Christ, many wonderful volunteers and contributors, a deep understanding of the issues facing our country, well-defined principles, and a track record of success and service to others.
And I am not an extremist of any kind.
Regarding my track record, let me put it this way: when our most experienced Republican candidate for this position began his DFL career in 1972, I was a member of Kids for Nixon, which I thought somehow helped our 37th president win re-election. Following that early involvement in Republican politics, I went on to junior high, high school, college, a real job, and law school.
Having passed the bar exam, I earned a clerkship with the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and landed a position at an amazing Minneapolis-based law firm for which I helped many clients (including major companies in the Third District) resolve and win their legal cases around the world. In addition, I have served on many nonprofit boards and led my church congregation several terms.
After retiring from my lengthy legal career, I founded and funded the nonprofit organization Principle Based Politics, which advocated for non-divisive, reasonable political principles based on the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bible. Now I am running for Congress to serve my country, my party, and my fellow citizens.
In a district hungry for a return to non-extreme, responsible, respected, and rational leadership in Congress, I am exactly the kind of candidate this district always has wanted to elect.
This district can indeed be won – by the right Republican candidate. Me.
I will discuss this more in next week’s blog post.
Quentin R. Wittrock
Responsible. Respected. Rational.
Very well stated as usual! Let’s get it done!!
Praying that logical and civil minds will prevail. You will do a great job serving your district, state and our country.