Jeff Backer


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

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.

Minnesota House of Representatives

Elections

Backer was elected on November 4, 2014, defeating incumbent Representative Jay McNamar by 660 votes, a margin of 3.92%.

Tenure

Backer was sworn in on January 6, 2015.

Committee Assignments

For the 91st Legislative Session, Backer is a member of the following committees:
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.