Ray "Skip" Sandman, the Independence Party of Minnesota candidate for District 8, was not shy with his criticism for his opponents in both the DFL and GOP. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch As is often the case, U.S. representatives have to think more in the short term than other positions in national government on account of their two-year terms-an election cycle leading to constant campaigning and fundraising and a focus on pertinent, immediate legislation.