Kristen Manfull’s Endorsement speech
Hello everyone. My name is Kristen Manfill, and I live right outside of Winona with my husband Nathan and our two little girls, Lenny and Murphy. I’ve known Jack and Jenni and their family since moving to Winona over eight years ago. I haven’t known him as a headline, a campaign sign, or a speech at a podium; I’ve known him as a real human being and a friend.
When I think about Jack's character, kindness and humility quickly rise to the surface. In our current world of leadership and politics, those two qualities don’t always seem to be the first that come to mind. We see a lot of volume and people trying to prove how strong they are, but kindness and humility are quieter. They don’t demand attention; they earn it by putting people at the center rather than one's own power. That is why Jack stands out to me.
My daughters know Jack simply as "Uncle Jackie". If you really want to know a person's character, watch how they behave around children when no one is paying attention. More often than not, when our families gather, I’ll find my four-year-old, Murphy, sitting next to Jack. They’ll be coloring together, playing with figurines, or he’ll be telling her an enrapturing story. He does this because that is who he is; Jack makes people feel seen.
Jack also builds people up. I’ve seen it on the golf course: if I hit a terrible shot, Jack doesn’t dwell on it or joke at my expense. Instead, he reminds you of your best moments, like a perfect drive on the first hole. He has an instinct to focus on your best rather than your worst. That isn't a political strategy; it is his character.
I remember a Christmas party several years ago where Jack gathered friends and family to sing carols to the neighbors in the cold. It wasn't flashy or for social media; it was just about bringing warmth and joy to the people around him. In a time when it feels easier to tear down than to build up, Jack stands out because he gives people attention rather than demanding it. He cares deeply about people as human beings, not as talking points.
As a mother, I want my daughters to grow up believing that strength and kindness go together, and that leadership and humility aren't opposites. When they look at Uncle Jackie, I believe that’s what they see. Beyond any title, Jack is a very good man. I trust him because of the man he has shown my family consistently for nearly a decade. When I asked my daughter Murphy what she would say about him, she put it simply: "He makes me feel really happy.”
