ALTURA, Minn. – Winona County Commissioner Steve Jacob, now in his third term, is going for Minnesota House Seat 21B. Jacob, who calls himself “a strong and proven conservative,” first needs to win the Republican endorsement to be on the November ballot. The 21B seat is being vacated by Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa. Draz has announced for the State Senate. Jacob in has two years left as a Winona County commissioner. Jacob takes his mail in Altura but actually lives on a ridge above Elba. In the State House, Jacob said his priorities would be:
> Returning the state budget surplus to taxpayers.
> Curbing inflation.
> Reducing government red tape.
> Empowering the private sector.
Jacob said he supports law enforcement and the Second Amendment gun rights. In recent years as a county commissioner, Jacob has found himself frequently in a minority with fellow conservative Marcia Ward. Consistently he has been unfriendly to land stewardship and environment protection. This includes strident support for frac sand mining, which the Board has banned for environmental reasons. Along with Ward, he also has been outvoted on factory farming. Specifically he championed the Daley Farms request to triple its Lewiston dairy herd despite environmental concerns. He and Ward also forced delays in planning for a new jail to replace the current condemned jail.
Jacob. He farms near Elba and owns seasonal vacation rentals above the Whitewater River valley. Although Elba is in Winona County, Jacob’s social and financial connection mostly lean to Plainview in Olmsted County. Age 50. As a state legislator he would earn $48,000 plus $66 a day for expenses when the House is in session. As a county commissioner he’ s at $24,200.
Verbatim
Jacob: “With Drazkowski moving on to seek the Senate seat, District 20B will need a strong and proven conservative voice to fill the position Drazkowski has so competently held. Having won the Winona County District 3 commissioner position as a declared republican three elections in a row, the timing is right for me to run for this very important position. I am truly humbled by the community support I have received. If elected, the community can count on my continued dedication to conservative values.”
District 21B profile
The mostly rural district includes much of Wabasha County, northern parts of Winona and Olmsted counties. and southern parts of Goodhue County, It stretches from Kellogg and Minneiska on the Mississippi River west through Altura, Zumbrota, Mazeppa, Pine lsland, Wanamingo to Kenyon.