Rep. Chris Swedzinski urges bipartisanship in personal floor remarks

Rep. Chris Swedzinski addressed colleagues on the House floor with a mixture of family anecdotes, gratitude and a call for cooperation across party lines. Speaking after recognition by the presiding officer, Swedzinski thanked his wife, Jessica, and his five children and recalled formative memories of his parents and growing up on a farm.

Swedzinski said lawmakers should look for common ground rather than aiming to ‘win’ partisan fights. "If your goal is to win an argument with your spouse, that means your spouse has to lose it," he said, urging members to apply the same principle to legislative work and to "build a better Minnesota" together. He added, "the people are watching," framing bipartisan collaboration as a duty to constituents.

He recounted personal scenes to illustrate that point: his mother’s volunteer work with Birthright, invitations that carried long-term meaning, and the time he and his father found to work together in a shop despite heavy farm labor. Swedzinski also spoke about faith, encouraging colleagues who do not have a religious practice to "pursue the relationship" he described as central to his life.

Throughout the remarks he named and thanked several colleagues and staff for mentorship and institutional knowledge, including Paul Anderson, and praised the House staff’s work in supporting members. He described the Capitol as "a beautiful building" and reflected on 'firsts'—first speeches, first times bringing children to the floor—and 'lasts' as part of the experience of public service.

Swedzinski closed by thanking Minnesota and wishing members and their families a good summer. No motions, votes or formal legislative actions were taken during his remarks.