As your state representative, I will bring strong fiscal responsibility and values-based leadership to the State Capitol to ensure that we invest in our schools, infrastructure and people, so that families in District 47B and across all of Minnesota are provided the best opportunity to prosper.
EARLY LIFE
I am originally from Key West, Florida, a unique and special place that taught me to respect diversity and see the value in every person.
I came to the midwest to study and play football at Purdue University. I graduated from Purdue with both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Industrial Technology in 1990 and 1992 respectively. I earned Academic All Big-10 Team honors three-times and was selected as a 1988 Academic All-America.
I still remember when we played in the Metrodome in 1987 and I recorded my first sack. I never dreamed that I would end up living in Minnesota. Fast forward 31 years, and I am a 15-year resident of Chaska, and although I can’t say I am a Gopher, I have come to love Minnesota as my home.
FAMILY LIFE
My wife Tracy and I have been married for 23 years and have been blessed with four wonderful children, all of whom attended district 112 Public Schools. Three are graduates of Chaska High School and in 2019 we will make it four. My family is the center of my life and I am a very passionate and dedicated husband and father.
CAREER
I am the Vice President of Global Manufacturing Excellence at General Mills, and over my 22-year career with the company, I have developed excellent global business expertise, and a reputation as an inspiring high integrity people-first leader.
POLITICS
Prior to November 2016, I was not very involved in politics. I donated money to candidates and causes that I valued and voted every election cycle. As an executive, my policy was to never talk about politics at work and to avoid any public statements that would elicit undue attention.
But after the 2016 election, my entire view changed. I became very outspoken about my progressive values and the attack on morality and decency that we have been seeing in our country over the last 2 years. But even then, I felt in my heart that this still wasn’t enough, and that I should be doing more.
That is why I decided to run for the State House Seat in SD 47B. I want to bring progressive values-based leadership to the State Capitol and build a Prosperous Minnesota for Everyone.
It is time for this district to have an accessible leader who truly believes in representing ALL constituents. I am that leader and I will stand up and fight for YOU.
Why I’m running…
As your state representative, I will bring strong progressive values-based leadership to the State Capitol to ensure that we invest in our schools, infrastructure and people, so that families in District 47B and across all of Minnesota are provided the best opportunity to prosper.
Issues
Economy
I will fight for measures that strengthen our economy to enable businesses to grow and succeed and attract more and better jobs that pay a fair and living wage. As a leader in our business community, I know that the lifeblood of any state is economic growth and prosperity. Growing the economy is critically important to driving a prosperous agenda that benefits all Minnesotans.
Healthcare
I will fight for affordable healthcare because I believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We must address the health care crisis that is gun violence and protect our 2nd amendment rights.
Education
I will fight for Education because I believe the best investment we can make is the education of our young people. I will prioritize college tuition affordability, early childhood education, and addressing Minnesota’s opportunity gap.
Housing
I will fight for Affordable Housing and solutions to end homelessness in our district and state.
Equal Rights
I will fight for Equal Rights including protecting a woman’s right to choose and equal pay for equal work. I will be outspoken and dedicated to ending sexual harassment and trafficking in our state. I will push for measures to ensure equality regardless of race, religion, gender and sexual orientation and to improve access and opportunity for Minnesotans with disabilities, and care, protections and services for our aging population.
Environment
I will fight to protect our Environment because I believe that we all have a responsibility to address climate change and take measures to ensure that we leave our beautiful state in better condition than it is today for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
This content was originally published at https://www.donzel4mnhouse.org/