Update from Wadena, MN (11/10/25)
- knyreen
- Nov 10
- 4 min read
we've come a long way
by Erik Osberg on 11/10/25
We’ve come a long way since March. And when I say WE, I mean all of us. If you are reading this email, you have taken an action to make things better. You’ve probably taken other actions over the past 8 months. Celebrate that, be proud of that. Our goal is to improve, day by day, until we reach the finish line. With no regrets. There will be setbacks. There will be bad news. There will be another thing that makes you shake your head and pause. Our job is to fight that pause & press on. With an EVEN IF mindset rather than a WHAT IF mindset.
It was right about this time in 2024 when I started to think about running for office. The elections were over & I was worried. I’ve always tried to be a person of action, not words. I knew it would be a tough sell to my family & friends. I knew I would be starting from scratch. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I looked at the political landscape and decided my biggest concerns were at the federal level. I asked a couple people if they thought Minnesota’s 7th District was winnable. “It’s too big.” was a common response. “It’s too red.” others replied. Yes, MN-07 does cover a large area & yes, the margin of victory was 40 points. None of that mattered. Someone needed to run and someone needed to announce soon. We got systems up & launched. I like to think we haven’t slowed down since. My pledge to you is we will do our best, to continue to meet people face-to-face and break bread when possible.
On Monday evening, we had perhaps the most significant event to date. While each stop we’ve made matters, this one felt different. There seemed to be less skepticism in the air, there seemed to be more conviction. We know that we are NOT alone. The dots are connecting, a different path to a different outcome is in sight.
140 people filled Goat Ridge Brewing in New London, MN with a vibe that had to be felt to truly be appreciated. The Kandiyhi County DFL Chili Feed ran out of chili, one year out, that's how busy it was.
Huge thanks to Fernando & Deb for their work. Huge thanks to Chris Radel for proving once again he is the best hype man in CD7 and huge thanks to Wayne for the moving story he shared. Humbling to say the least. Huge thanks to the musicians & the staff. When I talk about WE over me, this is what I mean. Every voice in attendance mattered. Every "Hoo Ra", every smile, every nod, every handshake & every conversation, a memory we will ALL carry with us. Thank you for your support. Keep up the good work.
Click here to see a portion of my speech: https://youtu.be/yvEGDm6FHyE?si=LXItyt3MlCDAgb3V
Speaking of taking action, for the 30th Friday in a row, folks peaceably assembled in Wadena, MN to demonstrate their 1st Amendment rights. Minnesota DFL 7th Congressional District Chair Jennifer Cronin stopped to say "hi". Once again, the honks of support outnumbered the middle fingers. Kudos to this crew for their dedication & stamina. If you would like to join them. They plan on being there from 3:30pm-4:30pm on Fridays moving forward.
I made time for outdoor recreation for the 2nd weekend in a row. This time I joined hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans for the regular firearms deer season opener. I met up with some old buddies near Long Prairie, MN and spent time in a cold forest. While none of us harvested a deer, we had some laughs as we told old stories and made jokes. Reminder, as your Congressman I would fight to keep public land PUBLIC.
Tuesday is Veterans Day. We plan on being in Roseau County to honor those who served. We will be attending the Warroad & Roseau Veterans Day programs. We will also be hosting a lunch-n-learn at The Phoenix in Warroad from 11:30am-1pm. Stop by, say “hi” and we can chat. This is a chance for me to learn what matters to you and for you to ask me questions.
Next week, we will be in Barnesvlile, MN for the Senate District 4 & 9 Fundraiser.
Nov 11th - Veterans Day - Warroad & Roseau
Nov 27th - Thanksgiving
Thank you for all the support & keep up the good work!
Thanks to our generous donors, we are closing in on $123,000 raised. Our campaign relies on donations from folks like you. If you have already donated, THANK YOU! If you have set up a recurring donation, even better. If you would like to host a private party fundraiser, click here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/SKQtMANaY0W8nGqHcpukXA2
