Jake Johnson and Simon Glaser host roundtable in Kasson on rural, agriculture, and healthcare issues

KASSON, MN — Today, Jake Johnson and State Senate candidate Simon Glaser gathered with over a dozen individuals with backgrounds across farming, medicine, and education gathered at the Kasson Public Library to discuss rural revitalization.

“We are constantly told there isn’t enough for us here in small town Minnesota,” said Jake Johnson. “I’m tired of living with a scarcity mindset here, while big tech companies roll in to buy up our farmland, take our resources, and build massive data centers that no one wants. Let’s get back to investing in our rural spaces, so that the American Dream is affordable and accessible everywhere in southern Minnesota, rather than selling out our small towns to big corporations.”

“For too long, elected officials on both sides of the aisle in our state government have left rural working communities out of the picture,” said Simon Glaser. “Today, we heard stories about folks who - when facing life-threatening medical emergencies - were forced to get in their car and drive to the hospital because they knew if they called 911, it would’ve been too late for them by the time an ambulance arrived. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Small farmers and rural businesses are struggling to stay afloat, access to quality education is scarce for rural kids, and for many young people – starting a family and buying a home has become an unachievable dream. I’m running because I believe we need an advocate, not just another established politician, to solve these problems with creativity and urgency.”

Photo courtesy of Jake Johnson for Congress. Media use permitted with attribution.