Steven Jacob

Steven Jacob was born in Minnesota. He earned a high school diploma from Plainview High School. Jacob's career experience includes working as a farmer/small business owner. As of 2024, he was affiliated with Farm Bureau.[1][2] Jacob has served on the Winona County Commission.[3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a fourth generation family farmer. I have been married to my wife, Mary for 38 years. We have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. I have been an active community and church servant. Before I was elected to the MN House of Representatives in 2022, I served 10 years as a Winona County Commissioner. During my tenure as county commissioner, I reduced the number of county employees from 340 down to 260. It was also my initiative to sell our county government center and get the reduced number of employees into less brick and mortar buildings, thereby actually physically reducing the size of government. Consequently, our county actually saw property tax reductions during my tenure.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I have a proven record of reigning in government and I continue that mission at the House of Representatives.I have proven track record of being responsible with the environment while being respectful to business. My knowledge as a farmer has made me an excellent fit for the state agriculture committee. In my ten years on the Winona County Board of commissioners I served on as many Water Resource boards as could. Serving on those boards has made me an excellent fit as a member of the state Environment and Natural Resources Committee as Well.My past actions are proof of the reputation that I have earned as Government watchdog. I intend to continue my mission to downsize government and defend the taxpayer

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Agriculture, Environment, as well as sitting on the Legislative Audit Commission where we work vigorously to ferret out government fraud.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jesus Christ

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Holy Bible.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Truth, Transparency, and accountability. I consider myself to have the level of integrity and I hold those around to the same standards.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Integrity

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Defending the taxpayer and holding government accountable.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Farmer, I still have it.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Balance is very important in this relationship. Minnesota has suffered because of one party control since 2022. Our Governor has largely ignored the Republican party and the constituents they represent because he hasn't needed any approval other than approval of the Democrat controlled House and Senate.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Government overspending. Government overreach and government overregulation.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

In my case, I have found my 10 years on the Winona County Board of Commissioners extremely beneficial in understanding the functions and dysfunctions of government.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely it is beneficial to build relationships. There really isn't any good reason to burn a bridge. I am fully willing to work across the aisle whenever possible. As an example, in order to solve the issue of nitrates in the groundwater in Southeast MN, I brought forward a bill in 2024 that tied a five dollar per acre tax credit to any acres a farmer had enrolled in the Ag Water Quality Certification Program. I worked diligently to get 6 Democrat co-authors as well as more than a dozen Republican co-authors.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I intend to govern in the style my Creator has made me, but I do look up to Lincoln and Reagan.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I am in tune with going through the doors God opens for me. It is clear to me that God wants me where he has put me today. I was asked to run for County Commissioner 12 years ago, and I was asked to run for the MN House 2 years ago. If I am asked and supported to move into another office and I saw it as calling from our Good Lord, then I would consider it at that time.

What committees interest you?

I am blessed to be on the committees the Good Lord has prepared me well for. Those include the Agriculture Committee, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, the Legislative Audit Commission, and the Subcommittee on MN Water Policy.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I have a proven track record of making my emails and anything I am working on available to the media and the public. The government is doing the work of the people. All aspects of government, including financial should be open and transparent.

Steven Jacob did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.