“Success is won by those who believe in winning and then prepare for that moment.” ― Herb Brooks
The fundamentals matter.
Anyone who has played sports, run a business, or served in the military understands this truth. Excellence comes from disciplined focus on what matters most, done consistently over time.
The same principle applies to a state.
Across centuries of political thought, from Aristotle and James Madison to modern economic and governance research, there is remarkable agreement about the fundamentals that allow societies to thrive:
Economic vitality and affordability.
Excellent education.
Public safety and the rule of law.
Competent government.
Population growth and confidence in the future.
These fundamentals are non-ideological and universal. Wherever they are strong, people flourish. Wherever they weaken, opportunity fades.
For decades, Minnesota was widely regarded as one of America’s best-run states. Many still cling to that reputation. But reputation is not performance, and on the fundamentals, Minnesota is in decline.
Job growth, wage growth, and economic expansion now trail much of the country. New business formation lags peer states competing for investment and talent.
State affordability pressures continue to mount as taxes, fees, housing costs, and everyday expenses rise faster than families’ incomes.
Educational outcomes have fallen sharply. Fewer than half of Minnesota students read or do math at grade level, and Minnesota’s rank for public education has dropped out of the top 10.
Public safety remains a concern, particularly in Minneapolis, which has experienced a rash of auto thefts this year.
State government spending has exploded, yet outcomes have deteriorated, and major fraud scandals have undermined public confidence.
Most telling of all, more Americans are leaving Minnesota than moving here.
Taken together, these signals point to a state stumbling towards mediocrity.
How do we move forward?
Gov. Tim Walz and his administration repeatedly tell us of their good intent. But good intentions alone do not build strong states. Good results do.
Over time, Minnesota’s public debate has become distorted. Rather than focus on outcomes, state leadership has taken the easy way out, and focused simply on inputs, such as spending levels or the raw number of initiatives. Even worse, they have prioritized ideology and political theater, driven in part by a desire to be an actor on the national stage. Minnesota families have been left to pick up the pieces.
The fundamentals require something different: discipline, accountability, and long-term stewardship. They demand leadership willing to focus less on headlines and more on outcomes. The fundamentals place citizens, not politicians, on center stage and work for all Minnesotans rather than select groups.
That begins with an unapologetic commitment to a growing economy and more jobs by fostering a pro-growth tax climate and streamlining regulatory and permitting processes.
It means a firm commitment to excellence in education through mastery of core reading and math skills, and accountability for results so every child is prepared to achieve his or her potential.
It means strengthening public safety by supporting law enforcement, enforcing the rule of law consistently, and ensuring leaders prioritize safe neighborhoods for law-abiding citizens.
And it means governing with competence and stewardship by hiring the best and the brightest, killing fraud, and demanding measurable results for every taxpayer dollar spent.
None of this is complicated. But in the current political climate it requires courage and discipline.
It is time to prepare for the moment and focus on the fundamentals, so all Minnesotans can flourish.
We do not need more talk. We need results.
Let’s get to work.
Patrick Knight is a former Marine and business CEO and current Republican candidate for governor.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not represent an official position of Alpha News.
Patrick Knight
Patrick Knight is CEO of Good Sense Foods.
