Jeff Backer

Jeff Backer
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 12A district
Assumed office
January 6, 2015
Preceded by Jay McNamar
Personal details
Born (1967-01-03) January 3, 1967
Browns Valley, Minnesota
Political party Republican Party of Minnesota
Spouse(s) Judy Gnifkowski
Children Brittany Backer
Residence Browns Valley, Minnesota
Alma mater St. Cloud State University
Occupation small business owner Mayor legislator

Jeff Backer Jr. (born January 3, 1967) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represents District 12A, which includes all of Big Stone, Grant, Stevens, Wilkin and Traverse counties and the western part of Douglas and Pope counties.[1] He is Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens's running mate in the 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election.

Early life, education, and career

Backer was born and raised in Browns Valley, Minnesota, growing up alongside his identical twin brother Jay. To help pay for their college, they ran their own lawn business and also worked with their father in his independent mechanic business and helping area farmers. He graduated from Browns Valley High School. In 1991, he graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry & Public Administration. Since 1993, Backer and his brother have run a catalog business, BW Incorporated, in Browns Valley.

Backer has served as a volunteer EMT for Browns Valley Ambulance since 1995. Backer was elected to Browns Valley City Council in 2000 where he served until 2004. In 2004, he was elected as Mayor of Browns Valley where he served until 2010. Backer has also served as a member of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and served as a School Board Member for the Browns Valley School District 801.[2]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Elections

Backer was elected on November 4, 2014, defeating the incumbent Rep. Jay McNamar (DFL) by 1057 votes, a margin of 7.52%.

2014 Minnesota State Representative- House 12A[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Jay McNamar (Incumbent) 8065 47.93
Republican Jeff Backer 8725 51.85

Tenure

Backer was sworn in on January 6, 2015.

Committee Assignments

For the 89th Legislative Session, Backer is a part of:

  • Agriculture Policy Committee
  • Capital Investment Committee
  • Judiciary Finance and Policy Committee.[4]

Personal life

In 1993, Backer married his wife Judy Gnifkowski. They have one daughter Brittany. Backer taught fifth and sixth grade release time at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley where he is an active member. Backer is a member of the Browns Valley Lions Club.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Backer, Jeff". leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Meet Jeff". jeffbackerjr.com. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Results for State Representative District 12A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Jeff Backer (R) 12A - Minnesota House of Representatives". house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  • Jeff Backer at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
  • "Jeff Backer (R) 12A - Minnesota House of Representatives". house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  • "Jeff Backer for MN House". jeffbackerjr.com. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by
Jay McNamar		 Member of the House of Representatives
from District 12A
2015–present		 Incumbent
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