Minnesota should reelect bipartisan-minded, hard-working Sen. Klobuchar

In February 2019, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced her run for president — and Americans quickly learned all about her tireless productivity in D.C.; her ability, and even mere willingness, to work across the aisle; and her commitment to helping workers, families and others too often overlooked.

Back home, Minnesotans had long known what they had in Klobuchar, beginning in 2007 when she became the first woman to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. The Democrat hasn’t delivered on everything, but on Nov. 5 (or sooner via early voting), Minnesotans eligible to cast ballots can reelect the three-term incumbent to keep her laboring on their behalf in the nation’s capital.

“My priority has been to have the backs of the people of Minnesota,” Klobuchar said in an exclusive interview this week with Forum Communications. “We’ve seen such a breakdown in trust, (such) a division. But I have continued to work across the aisle and made that a top priority because I think it’s important for getting things done for Minnesota. It’s also important for a democracy.”

Klobuchar ranks No. 1 for bipartisan bills , according to GovTrack, and is No. 3 for bills signed into law. Talk about productivity in a tough political climate.

Her work has resulted in federal funding to address infrastructure needs back home, including more than $1 billion to replace the Blatnik Bridge in Duluth, $26.3 million to build railroad underpasses in downtown Moorhead, $19 million for dockwall reconstruction and other repair work at the Duluth port, $15 million for a Complete Streets project in Worthington — and more.

“It’s not just infrastructure, it’s cutting through red tape for businesses,” Klobuchar said. “Workforce is huge, too. I’ve supported workforce training in a big way.”

Minnesotans can appreciate, too, that Klobuchar has been a strong advocate and influential voice for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which has provided nearly $4 billion since 2010 to clean up pollution, restore habitats, turn back invasive species and more. She’s also supported employers in increasing child-care options, including in Warroad, and has worked with local governments statewide to build more housing for all income levels.

“We just have to make sure it’s not one-size-fits-all for a lot of these things,” she said. “When things start rolling out, we want them to work for Greater Minnesota.”

Klobuchar’s Republican challenger is Royce White, a political podcaster and former professional basketball player who has been widely criticized for spreading far-right conspiracy theories, for making misogynistic and antisemitic remarks, for an array of legal issues, and for allegedly misspending funds during an unsuccessful 2022 U.S. House campaign. He didn’t respond to a request for an interview for this endorsement.

Despite her “appeal to moderate voters,” in the words of the New York Times, Klobuchar’s bid for the presidency fell short four years ago. But she hasn’t often fallen short for Minnesotans, and the state can reward her hard work by granting her reelection this fall.

This Forum Communications Co. editorial represents the views of Forum Communications Co., this newspaper's parent company. It was written by the FCC Editorial Advisory Board.