About Jeff

My home. It's been in our family since 1880.

Jeff Anderson was born and raised in Ely, and is proud of his roots as a fourth generation Iron Ranger. A graduate of Ely Memorial High School, Anderson joined the Minnesota Army National Guard, where he served for six years as a mechanized infantryman. During this time he also attended college at Bemidji State and the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Anderson has worked in television and radio for the past 16 years. For the past decade he has worked as an advertising executive for a group of regional radio stations. Jeff also owns and operates a small business in Duluth.

My first job in Ely - sweeping floors after school.

Since 1995, Anderson has helped organize and lead annual tours of our Nation’s capitol for students from Ely High School. In that time, nearly 1,000 students have traveled to Washington DC as a part of this program.

In that same time, he has put his passion for politics to work back home, helping out in various roles on the campaigns for U.S. Senators Paul Wellstone, Amy Klobuchar, and Al Franken, Congressmen Jim Oberstar, State Senators Roger Reinert and Dave Ten Eyck, State Representatives Tom Huntley, Mary Murphy, and Kerry Gauthier, St. Louis County Commissioners Frank Jewell and Bill Kron, St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin, Ely Mayor Roger Skraba, Duluth Mayor Don Ness and Duluth City Councilors Dan Hartman, and Greg Gilbert.

As a councilman, I have stood strong for Northland families.

Councilman Anderson was recognized by the Duluth News Tribune in 2010 as a recipient of the “20 Under 40” award winner. This award honors the work and contributions of people under the age of 40 that help to make the Duluth community great.

Anderson has also served as City Council President of the City of Duluth for the year 2010. He is proud of his work as a current commissioner and former President of the Economic Development Authority in Duluth.

Why Jeff Anderson is the Best Candidate in this Race

Jeff Anderson is a 4th Generation Iron Ranger. He was born and raised in Northern Minnesota. He understands Northland values as well as the opportunities and struggles that Northland families face. Jeff is the only candidate who can bring Northland values, knowledge and know-how to represent us in Congress.

Jeff makes his home, year round in Northern Minnesota. When it comes to representing Northland families, Jeff isn’t talking about hypothetical Northland families; he’s talking about his own family. For Jeff, this is about his niece attending the best schools it’s about his sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins finding opportunities to work and stay together as a family. It’s about his parents being able to retire in dignity with fully funded Social Security and Medicare programs.

The Right Message: It’s About Jobs – Good Jobs!

Jeff Anderson understands this election is about jobs. In Congress he will continue using his results oriented approach to job creation that he developed as President of the Duluth Economic Development Authority. In Duluth Jeff has worked tirelessly to bring together business and labor communities to help create high paying jobs.

Jeff’s father, grandfather and great grandfather all worked in the mines on the Iron Range. Jeff knows the stories of his grandfather, who was president of his Steelworkers local and who worked hard to negotiate fair wages, safe conditions and good benefits for Northland families. Jeff knows that our northland values were formed by the struggles and victories that families have experienced in the past.

Many Perspectives – A Northland Perspective

Jeff Anderson brings different Northland perspectives to this race. Jeff is a veteran, a small business owner, and a public servant. Jeff knows first hand the opportunities and challenges people are facing in northern Minnesota. Jeff is the only candidate in this race who has worked with labor and business interests in northern Minnesota to find 21st century answers and opportunities to the challenges we face.
Furthermore, Jeff is one of us, for us. He grew up on the Range, specifically in a time when opportunities were rare for Northland families. When Jeff was a kid, his father lost his job at Mintac Mine. Times were tough for the Anderson family but with help from their family, their community and their government Jeff’s family was able to recover and prosper again. Growing up in tough times like so many other Northland families has given Jeff the perspective needed to represent us in Congress like no other candidate in this race.

Why Jeff Wins

Jeff Anderson has been elected to office in the current 8th District. Jeff was elected in 2007 to represent the entire City of Duluth. Jeff has been a strong voice for the 87,000 people he represents in Duluth. Jeff has been a tireless advocate for families, public safety workers, labor unions and economic development.
Jeff Anderson has the campaign team, the message and work ethic to win in November.

Why Jeff’s Campaign is Different

Jeff Anderson isn’t trying to rekindle the past or running in a new area to go to Congress. Jeff is running to represent us. Jeff isn’t talking about hypothetical Northland families; he’s talking about his own family. For Jeff, this is about his niece attending the best schools it’s about his sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins finding opportunities to work and stay together as a family. It’s about his parents being able to retire in dignity with fully funded Social Security and Medicare programs.

We need a leader who will be looking to build for the future of Northern Minnesota. With that said, we need someone who can go to congress and fight for the long term interests of Northern Minnesota, somebody who has the energy and determination to be in it for the long haul.

Jeff has spent his whole life living in the Northland and his values reflect that with the organizations he serves on.  Below is a sample of the many organizations Jeff has supported in our communities.

Involvement in Northeastern Minnesota
Positions held and years served:

• President of the Duluth City Council, 2010
• Vice-President of the Duluth City Council, 2009
• Elected to the City Council to an At Large Seat in 2007
• Duluth Economic Development Authority – Commissioner, 2008 to Present
• Duluth Economic Development Authority – President, 2009

CITY COMMITTEES & COMMISSIONS

• Downtown Duluth Parking Task Force – Member, 2010 to 2011
• Tourism Tax Task Force – Member, 2011
• Duluth Charter Commission, 2005 to Present
• Duluth Housing Commission – Vice President, 2002 to 2008
• Community Development Committee, 2002 to 2008
• Duluth Legacy Endowment Fund Project Group – Vice President, 2006 to 2010
• 1200 Fund (Economic Development) – Member, 2008 to Present
• Duluth/Superior Community Foundation, Young Leaders Fund – Member, 2010 to Present

COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIPS

• Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank – Board Member, 2002 to 2010
• Empty Bowl – Chairperson  & Committee Member, 2005 to Present
• Taste of the Nation – Sponsorship Chairperson, 2004 to Present
• Duluth Air & Aviation Expo – Human Resources/Entertainment Director, 2006 to Present
• 7th Senate District DFL Board of Directors, 2006 to 2011
• 8th Congressional District DFL Board of Directors, 2006 to 2008
• Duluth Chamber of Commerce – Member
• Duluth Greater Downtown Council – Member
• St. Louis County Community Development Committee, 1999 to 2000
• North American Bear Center, Ely – Founding Board Member
• Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Duluth
• St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Ely

Leaders Across the Northland Have Endorsed Jeff Anderson’s Campaign for Congress.

Individuals:

Duluth Mayor Don Ness, State Representative Tom Rukavina, State Senator Roger Reinert, State Representative Carly Melin, former State Senator Jerry Janezich, former State Senator Ron Dicklich, former St. Louis County Board Member & former Executive Director of the Minnesota DFL Party Gary Cerkvenik, Virginia School Board Member Kim Stokes, Ely Mayor Roger Skraba, Two Harbors Mayor Randy Bolen, Cloquet Mayor Bruce Ahlgren, Duluth City Councilors Sharla Gardner, Tony Cuneo, Dan Hartman, Patrick Boyle, Jackie Halberg, Emily Larson, and Jennifer Julsrud.

Organizations:

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

Stonewall DFL

United Transportation Union Alumni

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