Quoting from her e-mailed announcement...
"In 2004 we worked together for many hard-fought victories in the State of Minnesota. We did it from the ground up, starting at the precinct caucuses. Together we knocked on doors, marched in parades, and opened our homes to friends and neighbors to work for the common good. Town by town, street by street, house by house, we convinced people of the strength of our vision for Minnesota..."
"...I am determined to make sure that we build on that momentum in 2006 when Minnesota elects a new U.S. Senator. You know that the stakes could not be higher. The direction of our country's future--as well as Minnesota's future--will be on the ballot.
Since Senator Mark Dayton announced that he would not seek another term, I have received an outpouring of support and encouragement from Minnesotans in every corner of the to run for the United States Senate. As you can see on our website, http://www.amyklobuchar.com/, 50 legislators from across the State have already pledged their support, and numerous other elected officials, countless friends and neighbors, and people I've never met, from all walks of life, have called, written, and e-mailed me urging me to run. They believe that I am the strongest candidate to run and represent them in Washington.
I am preparing to run for the U.S. Senate because I believe I will make a difference for the people of Minnesota.
It is humbling to think of some of the great people we have sent to represent our State in Washington. Senators like Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Paul Wellstone, Mark Dayton and Dave Durenberger have not been afraid to take on tough issues like economic fairness, health care, and education. They went to Washington knowing that we improve people's lives through the power of new ideas--making college affordable provides opportunity, providing health care benefits everyone, promoting science brings new jobs, clean water, a cure for disease. These leaders are shining examples of the simple proposition that being a Senator means not just casting a vote, but also standing up, taking on the fights, and getting things done.
In too many elections we have let our opponents set the terms of the debate. In 2006 it will be our turn. It will take leadership that unites, not divides. It will take new ideas and innovation. It will take a willingness to listen to the everyday heroes of our state--the father who works by day at a convenience store and at night parking cars but still can't pay the bills, the small business owner who wants to provide health care benefits to a pregnant employee but can't afford it, the grandma who wants to make sure her Social Security is a guarantee, not a gamble, and the farmer who is struggling to send two kids to college. The debate in 2006 should be their debate, and the focus should be on the fiscal irresponsibility in Washington which has benefited the few, not the many.
As the chief prosecutor for Minnesota's largest county (which includes nearly one-fourth of the state's population) it is my job to fight for those everyday heroes -- the family whose daughter was killed by gang bullets as she sat at her kitchen table doing her homework, the seniors who fell victim to the financial scam of a white-collar embezzler, the mom who wants a safe school for her kids. Leading an office of nearly 400 people, I've balanced budgets and set priorities. As a public servant, I have a track record of hard work, innovation, and results.
As a U.S. Senator, I will stand up for what's right and lead the way to provide more opportunity, reward hard work, protect our safety and improve people's lives. Based on my own experience, I believe we can make government more accountable and fiscally responsible by working together to get things done. I love this State and its people, and Minnesotans deserve a Senator who will make a difference in people's lives by championing new ideas to make our State an even better place to live.
Our State has lots of everyday heroes--our teachers, our nurses, our business owners and workers, our farmers, our police officers and firefighters, our brave men and women who put their lives at risk far from home. As a United States Senator, I will always be on the side of those everyday heroes--the people like you who make this State great.
Over the coming months I look forward to meeting with you, listening to your concerns, and sharing my ideas for Minnesota. I can't do this alone. Please visit my website at http://www.amyklobuchar.com/ to learn more, sign up to volunteer to be part of our grassroots network, and consider making a contribution, whatever the amount. I am not a millionaire but I need to raise millions of dollars. Together, with hard work, ideas, passion, and unwavering dedication, we will win this election.
Sincerely,
Amy Klobuchar
Paid for by the Klobuchar for Minnesota Committee"