Rep. Kevin Cramer: Senate Campaign Off and Running

We are off and running with my Senate campaign. I want to thank everyone supporting and praying for me and my family as we begin this journey.

The week was capped off by President Trump’s endorsement of my candidacy. Growing up in Kindred, North Dakota, I never dreamt I’d be getting the attention of the President of the United States. That’s why this is a great country, and why America is worth it!

I’m headed back to Washington Monday morning to do the people’s work. As always, I’m deeply honored to do so. Even though a Senate campaign is going on, I understand my responsibilities to my first job. I’m your at-large congressman in the House of Representatives and I go back to work focused on the issues important to North Dakota.

Back at home in the Senate race there are many great people volunteering to help. I’ve got a top-notch campaign staff and the commitment I see from our volunteers and from staff truly energizes me. This will be a highly contested race. As you think about who to support, think about what you know to be absolutely true. In this era of “fake news” and pervasive mudslinging, it’s challenging to separate the wheat from the chaff.

[mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]Both Senator Heitkamp and I have records in Congress spanning five years. This is where you’ll see the biggest political and ideological difference between myself and Senator Heitkamp.[/mks_pullquote]

One information source you can absolutely trust is the voting record of your elected public servants. Both Senator Heitkamp and I have records in Congress spanning five years. This is where you’ll see the biggest political and ideological difference between myself and Senator Heitkamp.

I’m looking forward to drawing the distinction between us as demonstrated by our voting records. I supported repealing and replacing Obamacare with a healthcare plan that would have provided more money and flexibility to North Dakota. Not only did she vote against it, her vote was the deciding vote that stopped the repeal.

I supported tax cuts that have been wildly popular and very helpful to the economy and to job growth. She voted against it and could not have been more wrong. Look around at the optimism as companies give bonuses and raise wages. Just this past week we heard about Wal-Mart doing this. North Dakota has 12 of these big box stores and I know the bonuses the workers received are very tangible and helping, right now, with mortgage payments, student loans and key household expenses.

There are a whole host of policy differences I look forward to addressing in debates. I’m interested in hearing her explain to North Dakotan’s why she voted in these ways which are so clearly opposite of North Dakota values.

There is much at stake including the political balance in the Senate. Republicans have a razor thin 51 to 49 majority and one vote could determine whether President Trump or Chuck Schumer picks the next Supreme Court Justice.

One vote prevented the Senate from repealing harmful regulations threatening our state’s energy development. And one vote prevented the Senate from repealing Obamacare

We need to embrace an America which celebrates life. North Dakota deserves a Senator who doesn’t high-five Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor to celebrate against actions to ban late term abortions.

In my years of public service, I have always had North Dakota’s back and you have had mine. We are a family. Kris and I know a rough road lies ahead. The mud slingers are already loading their weapons with whatever negative they can find or manufacture. I want a campaign where we talk about policy and values along with what we can do that really helps people make their lives better. After all, that’s what it’s all about.

I have not forgotten where I came from and I have always remained accessible through my town halls and continued outreach. This helps me remain accountable to you – the people of North Dakota. You can expect this same level of commitment to transparency, accountability and accessibility to continue as your U.S. Senator from North Dakota.