Why Rick Nolan for 8th District Congress?
Because You Matter

• Rick’s a genuine leader with the experience and energy to hit the ground running in Washington.  His three terms as Minnesota’s 6th District congressman taught him how to get things done in Washington.  His successful battles on behalf of farmers, small businesses and rural communities are still legendary.  That’s partly why his colleagues in Congress, along with syndicated columnist and Congressional critic Jack Anderson named him one of the “Most Respected Members of Congress” for his effectiveness and integrity.
  
  Nolan was often cited by his colleagues as someone who could be expected to do the right thing rather than the politically-expedient thing. Former Congressman Jim Oberstar often referred to him as “the conscience of the Congress.”

• Rick can win in 2012.  Nolan’s a proven winner, elected to Congress three times by an average margin of 57 percent in the old, heavily conservative 6th District – including St. Cloud and northern Twin Cities suburbs now represented by Michelle Bachmann.

• America is at a tipping point. Our budget deficit, wars of choice and worldwide military footprint are not financially sustainable. The Republican Party has declared war on the middle class. Millions of Americans, their families and their neighbors face job loss, foreclosure and economic ruin as small towns and working families fight to survive and the rich get richer.  Meanwhile, the U.S. is deeply involved in three expensive wars in the Middle East, while our debt soars out of control.  We need Rick Nolan and the real leadership he will provide to help make our northern Minnesota priorities America’s priorities.

• Rick’s one of us.  He was born, raised and has spent most of his life in the 8th District.  With a lifelong commitment to public and community service, he’s been locally involved as Chairman of the Mission Township Planning Committee, president and board member of the Central Lakes College foundation raising scholarship money for disadvantaged students of all ages, and lecturer and volunteer for the Initiative Foundation on Serving in Public Office.
  
  He’s a hunter and a fisherman who taps maple syrup in spring and harvests wild rice in the fall.  He gets what it means to be a Ranger, and he’s proud of his true northern Minnesota heritage.

• Rick has been a successful local business owner, who has created jobs all over northern Minnesota through his successful sawmill and wood pallet factory in Emily, which is now owned and operated by his son-in-law and daughter.   
  
  As a founder, chairman and president of the Minnesota World Trade Center Corporation under Governor Rudy Perpich, Nolan helped Minnesota companies export their products and generate jobs across the state.