MEDIA MATERIALS:
Jim Jensen for Minnesota House
For Immediate Release
March 15, 2008 507-272-1957
Deputy Sheriff, Jim Jensen, Wins
DFL Endorsement for Minnesota House Seat
Dodge County Deputy Sheriff, Jim
Jensen, won the Democratic Farmer Labor Party’s endorsement Saturday for
Minnesota House District 29A. House District 29A encompasses northwest Olmsted
County, including northwest Rochester, Byron, Oronoco, southern Pine Island, as
well as all of Dodge County. At the DFL Party’s district convention, delegates
unanimously called for Jensen’s endorsement. “Jim Jensen generated a lot of
enthusiasm at the convention. People recognized that he has the experience
living and working in the District so that he can understand how to address the
needs of real people,” said District 29 Chair Mary Petersson.
Jensen has worked for the Dodge County
Sheriff’s department for 29 years and only recently became interested in
politics. Jensen is a member of the Triton School Board and was struck by how
deeply state-level politics affected local education issues. “I came to realize
that the only way to ensure consistent and responsible funding for our schools
was to have a legislature that made education a priority. I knew that I would be
an effective voice for a strong education system, so I decided to run for office
myself,” explained Jensen. As such, he has made education funding a centerpiece
of his campaign. “Our children deserve an education that will keep Minnesota
competitive in the future,” said Jensen.
Along with a high-quality education
system, Minnesota also needs good jobs to keep our state competitive. Especially
with the recent economic downturn, Jensen understands the need to create not
only more jobs, but good paying jobs that will support a family. He believes
that jobs in the new “green economy” are just the type of jobs we need. “Our
district is well situated to take advantage of emerging jobs in renewable
energy, diversified agriculture and locally-owned businesses,” Jensen commented.
“These jobs cannot be outsourced, so people can feel secure that they have
stable future that will not be pulled out from under them.”
Jensen’s law enforcement background
also makes him keenly aware of the need to ensure the public’s safety. “I know
firsthand how to keep our schools and communities safe from both petty and
violent crime,” said Jensen. “One of the most crucial functions of government is
to protect the people, and Jim Jensen will be a leader who understands how to
keep our families safe,” said Jensen’s campaign manager, Pernell Meier.
Jensen grew up on a farm near
Claremont, attended college at Rochester Technical College and Winona State
University, worked as a machinist and service technician for eight years, as
well as serving as a police officer. In addition, he has been very engaged with
the community – as a volunteer fireman, emergency medical technician, school
board member and Lions Club president. With this diverse array of experience,
Jensen knows the people, the places and the problems that confront the district.
“People are very energized by his campaign, since they know that he has the
integrity and experience to be an effective leader,” Meier observed. The
Republicans have not yet endorsed a candidate for the 29A seat, but Jensen feels
confident that with the rising dissatisfaction with Republican leadership, the
odds are in his favor.
Links to Media Coverage:
http://dcinews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2840
Questions? Want to get involved?
Contact Jim Jensen at
jjjensen308@yahoo.com or (507) 259-5308