HENDRICKS - Though Minnesota House candidate Jay Backer and 7th District Congressional candidate Lee Byberg are running for two different seats, their priorities are similar.

Byberg is running against long-time Democratic incumbent Collin Peterson. Byberg said he never thought he would run for office, but was motivated to run after incensed by the current direction of our government.

"The last year or so I see policies coming from Washington that, to me, do not resemble the American dream," Byberg said. "But, the American model is still there and it still works."

Byberg said that current government is too strict on regulation and that we need to have a recommitment to the concept of limited government in order for the country to prosper.

"Other countries all over the world operate like this; the U.S. is still the exception to this," he said. "I hope we are not the generation that will see the great american spirit cease to exist. We will become a central left country instead of a central right country."

Byberg believes that we need to start giving power back to the states so that decisions can be made on the local level. He said that every community is different and that communities should be able to decide what is best for them.

"We need to start the process of defining the federal government to its proper definition according to the Constitution," he said. "Then allow the individual states to do what the citizens in those states view as the right solution for their communities"

Byberg, a long-time business owner and manager with a background in business administration, said that his background enables him to have an understanding of how to bring jobs to Minnesota.

"I know what it takes to grow and recruit good people," he said.

Byberg said his focus would be on creating policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, bringing the country back to its roots in leadership and ingenuity.

"This is the only place in the world where you can pursue your dreams," Byberg said. "Work hard, apply your skills, and America will reward you."

Graceville resident and small business owner Jay Backer is the Republican- endorsed candidate for the House District 20A seat. In the November elections, he will run against first-term Democrat Andrew Falk.

Backer said he is running because he is frustrated with the leadership in Minnesota - most notably with their handling of the state budget. Backer stressed cuts need to be made rather than delaying payments to balance budgets.

"We run our businesses within our means," he said. "I think St. Paul needs to do the same thing."

Backer stressed that Minnesota needs to focus on growing jobs, not growing taxes, in order to improve the fiscal health of the state. He said Minnesota should focus on a tax structure that would benefit business growth in the state.

"It's very frustrating that the policies make it harder for people in rural in America to make a living and for businesses in stay America," Backer said.

When first deciding to run for Congress, Byberg hired a national polling company to conduct a poll of voters in District 7. Poll results show that 39 percent of the sample would reelect Collin Peterson, with 60 percent undecided or looking to vote against him, Byberg said.

"The majority of District 7 is looking to go a different direction," he said. "There is a true alternative this coming November."

Written by Phillip Bock and reprinted from The Marshall Independent, Southwest Minnesota's Daily Newspaper.