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New Member: Rep. Steve Drazkowski

Published (2/15/2008)
By Nick Busse
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Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Wabasha)Former Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon), now the state’s labor and industry commissioner, offered a word of advice to the man who would succeed him as the state representative from District 28B: “Just stick to your values.”

His successor, Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Wabasha), who was sworn in Aug. 16, 2007, said he’s lived by the creed of “rural values” his whole life, emphasizing hard work and community service. He intends to bring these values to the Capitol.

“I grew up on a beef farm and learned early about rural ethics and values … and that’s really translated very well into my ability to connect and to relate well to our rural district,” he said.

Drazkowski, a 42-year-old cable contractor who spent 14 years as an agent and educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, said he intends to deliver for his district, especially in the areas of property tax relief and rural transportation infrastructure.

He got the chance to deliver earlier than expected. When two days’ worth of heavy rains caused major flood damage in southeast Minnesota in late-August, Drazkowski’s district was among the hardest hit. On Sept. 11, 2007, the Legislature convened to approve a flood-relief package, and Drazkowski was able to spend his first night on the House floor helping his district recover from a natural disaster.

Drazkowski, whose father was a township supervisor and county commissioner, has been an active member of the Republican Party, and in his youth spent many years with organizations like 4-H and Future Farmers of America. He said he felt like the time was right to “jump into the fray” of state politics.

A self-described “big outdoorsman,” Drazkowski enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time. He lives in Wabasha with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Kinsey.

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