ST. PAUL, MN – Legislators won’t return to the Capitol for regular session until March 2016, but several legislative leaders joined newly sworn in State Representative Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) and his family for the start of his first term on Thursday. Rep. Ecklund was elected in a special election December 8th to finish the term of the late State Representative David Dill (DFL – Crane Lake), serving the communities of Cook, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties in northern Minnesota.
“It is a true honor and privilege to serve,” said Rep. Ecklund. “From my time serving our country as a Marine, to standing up for workers as the President of the Steelworkers Local 159, to working for the people of Koochiching County as a commissioner, I have always been drawn toward service. We live in a great state and a great community. But there is a lot of work to be done. I am looking forward to representing the people, the workers, and the families of northern Minnesota.”
“Our state economy is growing, but in northern Minnesota workers struggle to find housing where there are jobs, businesses struggle to compete with a global economy that depends on access to broadband, and middle-class families have to work harder to keep their heads above water,” said Rep. Ecklund. “Now more than ever, we need to make smart investments that create jobs, expand opportunities, and grow the economy for everyone, not just the super-wealthy.”
Rep. Ecklund (57) who works at the Boise paper mill in International Falls, is a former Koochiching County Commissioner (2011 – 15), a member and past president of the United Steelworkers Local 159, a Marine Corps veteran, and has lived in International Falls for 53 years. He was joined by his wife Joan, his great niece Adian (12), and his great nephew Baylen (10) for the swearing-in ceremony. The ceremony took place at the State Office Building in St. Paul while the House Chamber is closed for renovations.
“Representative Dill was an outstanding legislator and no person can fill his shoes, but I am proud to be able to represent this community and be a strong voice for northern Minnesota,” said Rep. Ecklund. “While the statewide economy is doing well, many parts of greater Minnesota haven’t experienced the same gains. As a state we need to continue to invest in our local schools, invest in broadband to help our businesses compete, and make sure we are building an economy that works for every Minnesotan.”
Rep. Ecklund is still waiting for his committee assignments from Speaker Kurt Daudt, but he is expected to serve on the same committees as the late Rep. David Dill, which were Agriculture Finance, Environment & Natural Resources Policy & Finance, Greater Minnesota Economic & Workforce Development Policy, and Mining & Outdoor Recreation Policy.
Rep. Ecklund encourages community members to contact him on any legislative issue. He can be reached by email at rep.rob.ecklund.@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-2190.
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