West Central Tribune reports…

No great political divide showed itself when Minnesota State Senate District 17 candidates Andrew Lang, R-Olivia, and his DFL challenger Fernando Alvarado, of Willmar, faced one another in a forum hosted for broadcast online by the League of Women Voters of the Willmar Area.

Both candidates emphasized their willingness to work with members of the opposite party, find compromise and put the interests of the rural district first.

Good news for broadband proponents, they both recognize the importance of broadband…

The two fielded a range of questions from forum host Andrea Pieske, but none put the candidates at great odds. Both support building rural broadband infrastructure. Alvarado would like to see Minnesota do more.

“It’s like electricity. We need to have it in every house and business in Minnesota,” he said.

Lang pointed out that the Legislature has appropriated $30 million for broadband infrastructure.

“This is infrastructure,” he said by way of emphasizing the importance he places on it.