With the race for governor nearing its end, we believe there is only one candidate with the experience, drive and ambition that will make an effective governor. Incumbent Gov. Mark Dayton has presided over and helped enact a number of important bills that have helped Minnesota move forward.

This is especially clear through his focus on helping all students afford a college education. Strongly supporting the recently extended and expanded tuition freezes, advocating for reductions in administrative spending and even writing a letter to President Eric Kaler regarding abhorrent ticket bundling policies are clear examples that Dayton has students in mind.

His ambitions have gone beyond education reform, culminating in a number of progressive policies becoming law. Though same-sex marriage legalization took a while in Minnesota — partly due to a ballot measure that would have banned gay marriage in the state constitution — Dayton eventually signed it into law.

Other successes he has had as governor include passing a minimum wage law that mandates an increase to $9.50 by 2016 and presiding over great job growth — the state has gained more than 170,000 jobs since he stepped into office.

While there is room for improvement — such as his weak stance on marijuana law reform and the rocky start to the MNsure health insurance program — we are confident Dayton has gained experience and will listen to what citizens of Minnesota, especially students, would like to see change.