Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links > >

Backer, Jeff

House 2015-2022 (District 12A); House 2023-Present (District 9A)

Party when first elected:  Republican

Counties Served:  Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 1/3/1967
Birth Place: Browns Valley, Minnesota
Birth County: Traverse
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death:
Gender: Male
Religion: Lutheran-Missouri Synod
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected): Browns Valley
Occupation (when first elected): Small-Business Owner

EDUCATION

Browns Valley Public Schools; Secondary;
St. Cloud State University; B.S.; Chemistry
St. Cloud State University; B.S.; Public Administration

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Government: Browns Valley, Minnesota (Volunteer EMT); [Dates Unknown]
School Board/Administration: Browns Valley School District, Minnesota (School Board); [Dates Unknown]
Municipal Council/Aldermen: Browns Valley, Minnesota (City Council); 2000 to 2004 [Elected]
Municipal Mayor: Browns Valley, Minnesota (City Mayor); 2004 to 2011 [Elected]
State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards; 2007 to 2010

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Judy Gnifkowski
Children: One child: Brittany (daughter)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

In 2018, he was named as running mate for lieutenant governor by gubernatorial candidate Mary Giuliani Stephens. Giuliani Stephens and Backer withdrew from the race on during the GOP state convention.

He has an identical twin brother.

Religion provided by his 2016 campaign website.

Total Days Served: 3389

SESSIONS SERVED

93rd Legislative Session (2023-2024)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 09A
Elected: 11/8/2022
Residence: Browns Valley
Term of Office: 1/3/2023 to 1/13/2025
Counties Represented: Grant, Otter Tail, Traverse, Wilkin
Occupation: Small-business owner
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:

92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 12A
Elected: 11/3/2020
Residence: Browns Valley
Term of Office: 1/5/2021 to 1/2/2023
Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin
Occupation: Small-business owner
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2021 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Minutes
  • Health Finance and Policy Minutes
  • Human Services Finance and Policy: Behavioral Health Policy Division Minutes

91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 12A
Elected: 11/6/2018
Residence: Browns Valley
Term of Office: 1/8/2019 to 1/4/2021
Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin
Occupation: Small-business owner
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Health and Human Services Policy Minutes
  • Ways & Means: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes
  • Ways & Means: Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division Minutes

90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 12A
Elected: 11/8/2016
Residence: Browns Valley
Term of Office: 1/3/2017 to 1/7/2019
Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin
Occupation: Small-Business Owner
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Agriculture Policy Minutes
  • Environment & Natural Resources Policy and Finance Minutes
  • Health & Human Services Finance Minutes

89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 12A
Elected: 11/4/2014
Residence: Browns Valley
Term of Office: 1/6/2015 to 1/2/2017
Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin
Occupation: Small-Business Owner
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Agriculture Policy Minutes
  • Health and Human Services Finance Minutes
  • Health and Human Services Reform Minutes
Session Interviews
Session Interview (Video) 2016 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2015 House Interview


These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

Contact this legislator