By Rep. Lisa Demuth
I’m not a political person in the traditional sense. An 11-year tenure on the ROCORI school board was the only elected position I ever had held. But I do have deep Christian convictions, hardworking family values to the core and an optimistic outlook on life.
That’s why I said “yes” when an opportunity to seek office as the next State Representative for House District 13A presented itself.
Born in Paynesville and a current resident of rural Cold Spring, I have spent the bulk of my life in this area. The same goes for my husband, Nick, who is a Cold Spring native and also has lived in Paynesville, where he continues to operate a business. We know this area and know the people. We are both people persons by nature and a chance to go to the Capitol to advocate for our friends and neighbors was just too good to pass up.
My name now appears on a brass plaque outside my office door at the State Office Building in St. Paul. Truth be told, the plaque should be replaced by a Rolodex with the names of everyone in our district, listed A-Z. That might be a bit far-fetched, but the name of each city and township I represent soon will adorn a wall in my office. All 21 municipalities – from Avon to Zion – will be listed in tribute to the people I represent.
For me, serving as a State Representative always will be about the people. It’s an outlook on life that really crystallized for me the first Christmas I spent with Nick’s family. Many of us have memories of meeting our significant other’s family for the first time. Well, Nick’s family takes that experience to the next level to say the least. His parents housed 50 – yes, FIFTY – foster children over the years. They only stopped when his mother encountered health problems.
The way the Demuths opened their door and embraced foster children as their very own had an immense impact on me. It was powerful stuff and the generosity, love and selfless values were contagious. Nick and I have made a conscious effort to open our doors to friends and neighbors. I learned long ago to be prepared for guests, because he just might invite half of our church’s congregation to come to our house after service. I hope our children and their families do the same.
This open-door policy and constituent engagement is the cornerstone of my public service. Thank you to those who already have stopped by my legislative office to visit and talk about the issues. I look forward to meeting with more of you.
I have been selected to serve on three House committees this session and I am pleased they fit right in my skillset as good matches for my background. They are:
- Early Childhood Finance and Policy
- Education Finance
- Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Please join me in working to make Minnesota an even better place to live, work, go to school and run a business. Unaffordable health care costs are causing serious problems for families and we need to fix that. We need to make sure our children are safe at school and that improvements are made to deliver a stronger emphasis on mental health support.
Significant challenges are before all of us and your input always is welcome and appreciated. I am here to serve you and look forward to achieving great things together.
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