When I was considering a run for this office, I stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in awe of how far we have come as Americans, only to walk inside and be reminded of just how little is being accomplished today. It seems that Congress today measures success based on who can say the most while accomplishing the least. 

As a father and husband, I have had enough of the politicians that talk of hope and change, but spend too much time focusing on the next election, rather than the next generation.

As part of a family business, I have had enough of this broken system that rewards delay and ignores accountability and results. 

As a fourth generation South Dakotan, I have had enough of elected officials that tell us they want to work for us, but vote over 90% of the time against us. 

My priorities for Washington are very simple: I will strive to be your Representative, not just another politician. 

• One who understands the difference between enabling and empowering.
• One who believes that a government which tries to do everything will do nothing well.
• One who believes in listening while in South Dakota and talking while in Washington...not talking in South Dakota after listening in Washington.
• One who understands the importance of the family, the family farm, the family ranch and the family business.
• One who understands that our rights are endowed by our Creator, not the Supreme Court.
• One who believes that if you sacrifice liberty for security, you will lose both.

Like our founding fathers, I believe that Congress should be comprised of citizen legislators from whom public service is a commitment to debate for the sake of solutions, not for credit or headlines. And this is precisely why I felt it was important for someone to stand up and run for this office.

I was named after my great grandfather, Christian Lien, a Norwegian immigrant to South Dakota. In the 1930s, he lost everything to the great depression, leaving him and his depositors penniless. Instead of simply closing the bank and moving away like so many others had chosen to do, he stayed. He never asked for a handout. He didn't blame the Government. He just resolved to work manual labor until each individual was paid back. 

Never compromise your principles.

Never quit until the job is done.

Never abandon those who had faith in you from the start.

These are the values I embrace and that I believe represent the values of South Dakota. The issues of the day will change, but our values hold steady. And these are the South Dakota values I plan to take with me to Washington.

I know that Election Day is only the first step in this journey. I know the battle that lies ahead as we work to bring a different perspective to Congress, but together we can change the way that Washington works. With your help, we can fix Washington's problems with South Dakota solutions.