Liberal in the Land of Conservative

Robert Jacobs, a Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud employee and AFSCME union president there, announced Tuesday he'll seek the DFL endorsement to challenge Rep. Dan Severson, R-Sauk Rapids, this fall.

Jacobs, a Watab Township resident, said in a news release announcing his campaign that he plans to campaign for more efficiency, transparency and accountability for state agencies, particularly the Departments of Corrections and Transportation.

He said his campaign will emphasize development of renewable energy, repairing state infrastructure and improving the state's transportation system.

"Minnesota can be a frontrunner in the country again and I will help us get there," he said.

School funding and property taxes will also be top issues, he said.

"Why is a student in Sauk Rapids, Sartell or Holdingford worth less than a student in Eagan?" he said. "We must come up with a better funding system than going to the property taxpayers each year with referendum requests."

Jacobs describes himself as a "Pro-Life Democrat."

He said his campaign committee includes former 14A DFL candidates Barb Beniek and Dennis Molitor, as well as former Benton County Commissioner Duane Cekalla.