Dutcher wins endorsement from District 12A Republicans

District 12A Republicans endorsed Scott Dutcher for State Representative on Saturday.

Dutcher is a small-business owner from Brandon, where he also serves on the city council.

"It is a privilege to be endorsed by our neighbors and friends who make our communities strong," Dutcher said. "My campaign will be about fighting for small businesses in western Minnesota by giving them the freedom to be successful and get more people working again.”

Dutcher said the best way to solve the state’s budget problems is to create jobs and help small businesses be successful.

“I see too many times when our state goes the wrong way, thinking that expanding government with more regulations and higher taxes will somehow lead to more jobs,” he said. “As a small-business owner myself, I know that is the wrong direction."

Dutcher said rural property taxes are among his top concerns. After being elected to the Brandon City Council in 2010, he achieved his goal of reducing the property tax levy, winning support for a 5 percent reduction.

That experience, he said, taught him the value of building a coalition of support to achieve success that benefits constituents.

"You have to build relationships, earn trust, and work with everyone to move in a common direction," Dutcher said about what he has learned on the city council. "When we know what our goals are, working through differences becomes much easier."

Dutcher said the current “we win, you lose” mindset among the two parties isn't serving Minnesota.

"The idea that the only way anything good can happen is if one party jabs the other is detrimental to our democracy," Dutcher said. "We have to realize that our charge isn't to serve a party, it's to serve a state and that means doing what's best for all of us, not just some of us."

Dutcher lives in Brandon with his wife, Tessa, and their two pre-school age children. They attend Trinity Lutheran Church in Millerville Township. He is also a member of the Brandon Lions Club.

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