Jeff Anderson (politician)
Jeff Anderson (born March 2, 1977) is an American politician, veteran and business executive. The fourth-generation Iron Ranger ran for Congress in Minnesota's 8th congressional district, losing to Rick Nolan in August 2012.
Early life, education and career
Jeff Anderson was born and raised in Ely, Minnesota, and graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1995. While still in high school, he worked for WELY radio in Ely which was owned at the time by legendary broadcaster Charles Kuralt. Upon graduating, Anderson enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard and enrolled at Bemidji State University. He would later transfer to the University of Minnesota Duluth where he studied political science and journalism.
While still in college, Jeff worked as a production assistant and reporting-intern for KDLH-TV. He also was a morning show host on WWAX from 1997 to 1999. In 1999 he started as a sale executive at Red Rock Radio, and worked his way to the position of General Sales Manager of The Cluster. He left the radio station in 2011 to run for Congress.
Political career
Anderson was elected to an At Large seat of the Duluth City Council in 2007. He became Vice-President of the Council in 2009 and President in 2010. He served as a Commissioner of the Duluth Economic Development Authority beginning in 2008 and was President of that body in 2009.
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.
He has also assisted on countless campaigns throughout northern Minnesota. People he has worked with include U.S. Senators Paul Wellstone, Amy Klobuchar, and Al Franken, Congressmen Jim Oberstar, State Senators Roger Reinert and Dave Ten Eyck, State Representatives Thomas 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.
Capitol tours
Starting in his own senior year in high school, Anderson has organized and led groups of Ely High School students on tours of the Nation's Capitol. In that time, more than 1,000 students have made the trip to Washington and met their federal elected officials.
2012 Congressional bid
In May 2011, Anderson announced his plans to run for Congress in Minnesota's 8th congressional district.
Anderson initially sought his party's endorsement but did not receive significant support in the caucus and convention process and chose to opt out, he opposed the endorsed DFL candidate Rick Nolan and another unendorsed candidate, Tarryl Clark, in the primary election. Anderson lost to Nolan in the August 2012 primary.
Endorsements
Leaders Across the Northland Have Endorsed Jeff Anderson’s Campaign for Congress.
- Individuals
- Don Ness, Duluth Mayor
- Tom Rukavina, State Representative
- Roger Reinert, State Senator
- Carly Melin, State Representative
- Maria Bamford
- Jerry Janezich, former State Senator
- Ron Dicklich, former State Senator
- Gary Cerkvenik, former St. Louis County Board Member & former Executive Director of the Minnesota DFL Party
- Kim Stokes, Virginia School Board Member
- Roger Skraba, Ely Mayor
- Randy Bolen, Two Harbors Mayor
- Bruce Ahlgren, Cloquet Mayor
- Sharla Gardner, Duluth City Councilor
- Tony Cuneo, Duluth City Councilor
- Dan Hartman, Duluth City Councilor
- Patrick Boyle, Duluth City Councilor
- Jackie Halberg, Duluth City Councilor
- Emily Larson, Duluth City Councilor
- Jennifer Julsrud, Duluth City Councilor
- Organizations
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
- International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
- Stonewall DFL
- United Transportation Union Alumni
- eQuality Giving.org