https://juliekelzer4mnsenate.com/meet_julie

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I would love the opportunity to represent all people in our district at our State Capitol. We should all feel that our voices are heard by our representatives. I believe, while we might not always get everything we want, we can work together to make things better for our community. I know all too well how hard it is to get by. I’m running for Senate District 17 to do something about it.

I am a mom to a 19-year-old son who is attending the U of M in the Science and Engineering program, and I have a daughter who is 8. I've worked in the customer service industry since I was 14. In 2010, I graduated from Regency Beauty Institute with a cosmetology degree. I managed salons and was a stylist until the pandemic shut them down. At the time my daughter was 2, and still not speaking. Due to a severe speech delay she required therapy several times a week. I got creative and started my own residential house cleaning business. This allowed me to be able to get her the care she needed, pay the bills, and be home in the evenings to help my son with his schoolwork.

Because I’ve lived it, I know we need better access to affordable healthcare. We need more providers in rural areas, too. Many of the specialists are an hour plus drive away. We shouldn't have to take off work twice and spend double the time and gas to get the care we need. Expanding telehealth will help people gain access for their healthcare needs, including greater access to mental health care providers.

I also believe we need to do better by our kids. Education cuts that have limited art and music at school hurt our kids. I also believe we can make improvements to the school lunch program. Creative solutions that do right by our kids, and our community will make life better for all of us. Children need to be able embrace their creativity and have access to hands-on projects. On top of that, staff numbers have been reduced affecting our children’s learning environment.

Farmers are suffering in the current economy, and Chapter 12 filings are on the rise. Without farmers our food supply is going to decrease, causing even higher prices for our food.

These are a few of the many reasons why I’ve decided to run. It’s time we have a representative who works and fights for what is important in our daily lives. 

I know too well how hard it is to get by.

I'm running for Senate District 17 to do something about it.