One thing life has taught me is that human beings do not all learn, process information, communicate, or develop in exactly the same way. We may all bleed the same, but our minds are not all wired exactly the same. Some people thrive in highly structured academic environments. Some people learn best through repetition. Some people learn visually. Some people learn through mentorship and observation. Some people learn by physically doing the work with their own hands. And some

Some people assume I moved to Minnesota simply to run for governor. The truth is, I came to Minnesota for the same reason many people come here — the hope of building something better for myself and my future. I came here for a job opportunity in the airline industry. Like many people who relocate for work, I took a chance on a new beginning and hoped it would lead somewhere better. Unfortunately, that job did not work out. At that point, I had a choice. I could have packed u

My connection to Minnesota began in a nursing home when I was about five years old. The first Minnesotan I ever met was a lady by the name of Miss Cece. She worked at the front desk of the nursing home where I spent a great deal of time as a child. She was probably the first person I ever heard speak with that unmistakable Minnesotan twang and likely the first person I had ever even heard use the word “Minnesotan.” One afternoon, while roaming the halls, I noticed an elderly

Over the next several days, I will be sharing a series of personal blog posts discussing who I am, why I chose Minnesota, what I have experienced while living here, and why I decided to run for Governor. Many people have asked me questions like: “Why Minnesota?” “Why now?” “Why you?” Instead of reducing those answers down to political slogans or thirty-second soundbites, I want to answer them honestly, thoroughly, and directly. Some of these posts will be personal. Some will

Minnesotans care about each other. Deeply. It’s rooted here. But somewhere along the way, government stopped feeling like **of the people, by the people, for the people** and started feeling like a closed system you’re forced to fund but rarely allowed to see. This is a proposal to rebuild that trust through **visibility, accountability, and a more self-sustaining way of operating**. This is **not** a magical solution. It is **not** a day-one buildout. It is a different way

The entire bathroom debate exists because of bad design, not because of bad people. We’ve turned a basic public function into a culture war when the real solution is simple: build privacy into the system and the conflict disappears. This isn’t a question of labels, identities, or enforcement. It’s a question of architecture. New Construction: Single-Occupant by Default All new public buildings should use the model that already works in gas stations, family restrooms, clinics,

One, two, Donny’s coming for you Three, four, ICE at your door Five, six, get your crucifix Seven, eight, stay awake Nine, ten, vote him out again That rhyme popped into my head because it captures exactly how a lot of Minnesotans feel right now: anxious, alert, on edge, and unsure who’s actually in charge of keeping them safe. I’m not claiming this as poetry. I’m not claiming it as policy. It’s just a reflection of the atmosphere we’re living in. And that atmosphere is this:

Campaign finance notice Contributions to Bill E. Gates Jr. for Governor are accepted only from U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents, as required by law. Federal and state law prohibit contributions from foreign nationals.

This evening, I hosted a virtual town hall to share where this campaign is headed and to begin an open conversation with Minnesotans about accountability, affordability, and trust in government. This meeting was not a polished presentation or a final rollout of legislation. It was a working discussion — an opportunity to explain my thinking, hear feedback, and begin putting ideas on the table publicly. Below is a clear summary of the key topics we discussed. Campaign Announce

Introduction For too long, immigration policy in the United States has been trapped between two failures: chaos without enforcement and enforcement without realism. Minnesota is now experiencing the real-world consequences of that failure — rising fear, unpredictable encounters, and dangerous situations that put civilians and law-enforcement officers at risk. Recent events in Minneapolis underscore a hard truth: a system built on surprise, uncertainty, and panic is not a safe

The video circulating from South Minneapolis is deeply troubling and raises serious questions that deserve clear, independent answers. In the footage, federal agents are seen pulling up alongside a parked SUV, exiting their vehicle, and moving quickly to the driver’s side. At least one agent appears to attempt to access the SUV while it is stopped. The vehicle then begins to move forward, and shots are fired shortly afterward. From what is visible in the video alone, the driv

Minnesota voters have a unique opportunity to connect directly with Bill E. Gates Jr., a candidate for governor, during his first virtual town hall on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM Central Time. This event is designed to introduce Gates to Minnesotans, share his reasons for running, and discuss the values that guide his campaign. It will also provide a platform for community members to ask questions and share their views. This blog post will guide you through what to e

The recent crisis in the Robbinsdale Area School District is not just a local budgeting problem — it’s a warning sign for Minnesota’s entire education system. A roughly $21 million budget deficit, largely driven by an accounting error that double-counted compensatory funding, has now resulted in over 200 layoffs, school closures, program eliminations, increased class sizes, and state intervention through statutory operating debt. Families are losing neighborhood schools. Educ

Family court exists for one reason: to protect children and ensure their well-being. Yet too often, the system incentivizes conflict, rewards accusation over evidence, and places children in the middle of prolonged legal and emotional warfare. When that happens, no one truly wins—especially not the child. Minnesota can do better. Reforming family court is not about choosing sides between parents. It is about restoring balance, fairness, and a focus on outcomes that genuinely

Public safety is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government. Communities deserve to feel safe, officers deserve to be supported, and the justice system must work in a way that is fair, effective, and rooted in reality. Strong law enforcement and meaningful reform are not opposites—they are partners. And Minnesota needs both. Law enforcement exists to protect life, not to generate revenue or enforce rules for their own sake. When policing drifts away from publi

I spent nearly two years in the foster care system. Long enough to know that while the system is meant to protect children, too often it ends up moving them around like pieces in a shell game—never settled, never safe, never certain of what comes next. Being bounced from home-to-home leaves marks that don’t show up on paperwork. It creates trauma, instability, and a constant sense of waiting for the floor to drop out again. Children in foster care don’t just lose their homes—

Before you ask me my opinion on abortion, ask yourself three questions. Are you the woman in question? Chances are, you’re not. Are you, her doctor? Chances are, you’re not. And the third question is the most important of all: Are you, her God? If the answer to all three is no—and for almost everyone it is—then this decision is not your business. It’s not mine either. And it certainly is not the governments. Abortion is a medical decision. Full stop. It involves complex, deep

Education is the foundation of Minnesota’s future, yet for far too long we have treated it like a budget line item instead of a public trust. We ask educators to do more every year—teach, mentor, manage classrooms, respond to trauma, ensure safety, and fill in the gaps created by underfunding—while offering them fewer resources and less support in return. That approach is not sustainable, and it is failing both educators and students. Teachers are professionals, and they dese

I didn’t come to this idea from a think tank or a donor meeting. I came to it the hard way—by living real life. I’ve gone to school hungry. I’ve slept without a permanent home. I’ve worked long hours and still come up short. And I’ve worked alongside educators who stretch miracles out of nothing—then get blamed when the system fails them. So when I talk about Minnesota needing a new, sustainable way to fund education and public services, I’m not talking ideology. I’m talking

Minnesotans work hard. We pay our taxes. And every year it feels like the answer to every problem is the same: pay more. I believe Minnesota can do better. This plan is about building income for the state, not squeezing more out of the people. --- The Idea — In Plain English Instead of relying almost entirely on taxes, Minnesota should carefully explore owning a small number of businesses that: meet real public needs compete fairly in the free market generate revenue to suppo