Jeff Backer

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 was Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens's running mate in the 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election.

Jeff Backer
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 12A district
Assumed office
January 6, 2015
Preceded byJay McNamar
Personal details
Born (1967-01-03) January 3, 1967
Browns Valley, Minnesota
Political partyRepublican Party of Minnesota
Spouse(s)Judy Gnifkowski
ChildrenBrittany Backer
ResidenceBrowns Valley, Minnesota
Alma materSt. Cloud State University
OccupationSmall business owner Mayor legislator

Early life, education, and career

Backer his identical twin brother, Jay, were born and raised in Browns Valley, Minnesota. To help pay for their college, they ran their own lawn business, worked with their father at his independent mechanic business, and helped local farmers. He graduated from Browns Valley High School. In 1991 he graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.S. degree in chemistry and 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. He was elected to Browns Valley City Council in 2000 and served until 2004, when he was elected mayor of Browns Valley. He served as mayor until 2010. Backer has also served as a member of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and 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 incumbent Representative Jay McNamar (DFL) by 660 votes, a margin of 3.92%.

2014 Minnesota State Representative- House 12A[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (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 91st Legislative Session, Backer is a member of the following committees:

  • Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
  • Health and Human Services Policy
  • Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division.[4]

Personal life

In 1993 Backer married Judy Gnifkowski. They have one daughter, Brittany. Backer taught fifth and sixth grade release time at Browns Valley's Zion Lutheran Church, where he is an active member. He 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. "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.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by
Jay McNamar		 Member of the House of Representatives
from District 12A
2015–present		 Incumbent
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