How accessible is Chip Cravaack?

8th District U.S. Representative Chip Cravaack took some heat last month regarding his family's move to New Hampshire and how that might interfere with his work in the 8th. Now he's being criticized for not answering to his constituents.

In the Duluth News Tribune, Duluth resident Kathleen Hern says she's called, written, and tried to talk to Rep. Cravaack in person, with no luck:

I have written to Rep. Cravaack twice and called his office once. I have yet to receive a response. I also tried to speak with him at Grandma’s restaurant when he was there for a meeting and at the town hall meeting at Duluth International Airport. He refused to speak to me at those events, also.

Hern, who says she's been out of work since April of last year, wants to know what Rep. Cravaack is doing to help the job outlook in his own district. "I just want to be heard and find out what Cravaack plans to do about the economy for his constituents," writes Hern. "Is this such a scary issue that I cannot get a response?"

Regardless of political party, our representatives should be working for their entire district, and it's essential that they return correspondance and phone calls from constituents.

The 2012 election is in sight, and there is an array of qualified candidates vying for the DFL endorsement. One will eventually take on Rep. Cravaack to take back the 8th District. Perhaps then we'll have a representative that can respond to his or her constituents.