Peggy Hansen’s speech endorsing Jack

I'm Peggy Hansen, and I'm glad to be here because I believe in Jack Hedin and because character matters. I can speak to Jack's character. Have we all learned in the last few years that character matters in an elected political leader? What happens if you don't have someone with good character? I think Jack can win, and I think he'd be a good state senator.

Why do I think he would be a good state senator and legislator? This is a Featherstone Farm carrot. It is a beautiful, great carrot that tastes good. This carrot did not happen by magic; it happened because of a story that started 32 years ago in 1994. Jack and Jenny were on their honeymoon when they came to my bed and breakfast in Lanesboro. They clearly had a dream: they were going to grow good food on good land with fair labor practices. I was a fan starting in 1994.

Fast forward 16 years to 2010. Jack hired me to work here at the farm doing marketing and promotion. During that time, there were setbacks and disappointments—uncertainty, weather, and the challenges of raising money for energy improvements. My husband and I gave an unsecured loan to this farm, and it was paid back with interest. That goes to character. Even when it seemed chaotic, Jack kept moving forward because he had a vision.

I've seen in this man persistence in spite of many challenges and setbacks. He has pragmatism, which you must have for the legislature. He has pride in his carrots and his family, but he also has humility and positive energy. He knows how to build relationships, especially with his employees, as we are now seeing third-generation employees. That doesn't happen by magic either.

Now it is 16 years from the time I worked here—a total of 32 years. This time I'm not here as a vegetable evangelist; I'm an evangelist for Jack. He has a new dream and a new vision. I worked at the legislature or lobbied there for probably 10 years of my life, so I know something about that place. Chaos is no problem for him; he can build relationships and get results. I have faith that Jack will go to the State Senate and do good things.