Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden talks to James Danielson and Katie Sullivan during a stop at Piggy Blues Friday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden (R-Minnesota) is touring the state to learn more about resident issues and to spread his message of economic and political change.

“We need change in Washington,” McFadden said.

Republican candidate for the United State’s Senate seat held by Al Franken, Mike McFadden talks about his campaign Friday during a stop at Piggy Blues. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

McFadden stopped by Piggy Blues in Austin Friday to speak to local media and meet with area residents.

McFadden, the Republican nominee against U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minnesota), touted his experience as a businessman and a political newcomer to offer solutions to issues like the economy, the U.S. energy crisis and immigration.

On immigration, McFadden said one of the biggest keys to U.S. policy should be securing the U.S. border with Mexico. Though he stressed he didn’t want to separate families, McFadden also said he hoped the U.S. would fix a broken immigration system.

McFadden is touring the state as part of his “On the Road to Growth and Prosperity” tour highlighting his economic strengths. He recently raised more than $1.1 million in fundraising in the second quarter of 2014. Franken raised $3.3 million in the same period.