Ashwin responds

Wow! I've been impressed with Madia's campaign for quite some time. I'm even more impressed now!

The true test of a politician's character, however, isn't what he or she says when things are going well, It's how their campaign responds to adversity—and that's what our effort faces today.

Many of you may have already seen the mailing Sen. Bonoff recently distributed. This misleading attack on my character represents exactly the kind of politics that I am fighting to change—and I won't be a part of it by drafting similar assaults against Sen. Bonoff. Instead, I'd like to reiterate that I respect Sen. Bonoff's service to our community and value the ideas that she has brought to this race. It has been my honor to run against her for this endorsement.

At the same time, I know I need to set the record straight—because in politics, you can't afford to let the mud dry. So, here are the facts:

• As I stated publicly in November, January, and last week (as well as during many stump speeches throughout my time on the campaign trail), I considered myself a moderate Republican as a student at the University of Minnesota. I left the Republican Party in 2002 after watching President Bush rush our nation into an unnecessary and wasteful war, destroy our federal budget, attack the LGBT community, and brand anyone with the courage to challenge him unpatriotic.

• The articles that I wrote as an 18-year-old kid are authentic. As a teenager who knew nothing about what unions are, how they work, and the important role they play in our society, I used ill-advised rhetoric in discussing teacher's unions. Like many others, my beliefs have changed over time and I don't believe the same things now that I did just out of high school. Today, I'm proud to be endorsed by several unions: Teamsters Local 120, United Auto Workers Minnesota State CAP Council, and Communications Workers of America Local 7200.

• I have nothing but respect for the public education system. As a graduate of Osseo Senior High School and the University of Minnesota, I am a product of the public education system and wouldn't have the opportunities I enjoy today had it not been for our state's proud tradition of excellent K-12 and higher education.

• I will work to bring the Iraq War to a quick and responsible conclusion. I wish I could snap my fingers and end this ongoing tragedy, but as a Marine and Iraq War veteran, I know it's not that easy. That's why I've offered a detailed plan that gets our troops home as quickly as possible, while also giving America the flexibility needed to prevent genocide and protect our aid workers and diplomats.

• I am 100-percent pro-choice. Not only will I defend reproductive choice, I will lead the charge against "Trojan Horse" legislation designed to infringe on the rights guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.

Read more at MnBlue!