Students at the University of Minnesota have an interesting choice facing them in this year’s race for the state House of Representatives. Should the University area elect 39-year incumbent Phyllis Kahn for another term, or do they select 26-year old challenger Mike Griffin?

I urge DFL delegates and voters to select Griffin to represent district 60B. The district needs the passionate, energetic attention that Griffin would provide. The new immigrant communities of Cedar-Riverside and Seward need someone to engage, listen and author legislation that meets their needs. Students need an advocate who will beat back wild tuition increases. After a long absence, the students and faculty in 60B need a representative to serve on the Higher Education Policy and Finance committee. That representative should ideally be a graduate of the University system, and it helps when that person has graduated recently. Griffin will make this happen.

The University is under constant attack by legislators who fail to understand that our state’s future depends on a strong University. Griffin will be the voice that the University lacks who can speak directly about the needs of students and how important they are for our future. I also think it is important to remember that in an increasingly diverse Minnesota, Griffin would be one of the few African-Americans ever elected to our Legislature.

In my campaigns, I spent a lot of time with the Somali community in Cedar-Riverside and Seward. I heard and saw their need for an advocate in the state Legislature. My time in the Minnesota House of Representatives — and, specifically, my time as the Democratic-Farmer-Labor leader — taught me to recognize the skills of a good representative. Griffin has those skills. He will be accessible,  empower constituents to take part in the legislative process and help meet the district’s public policy needs. Griffin will approach the Minnesota House of Representatives with open eyes, a fresh perspective and boundless energy to serve.