Pine City man files for Senate District 11 seat

Bill Saumer of Pine City filed on Monday to run as a Republican for the state Senate seat presently held by Sen. Tony Lourey. Senate District 11 encompasses all of Pine County, all of Carlton County, approximately half of Kanabec County, and parts of St. Louis County.

Saumer is a lifelong resident of Pine City and graduate of Pine City High School. Saumer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and a master’s degree in agriculture education from the University of Minnesota, and presently teaches agriculture classes at East Central High School in Finlayson. Previously, Saumer also taught in Fertile and Cambridge, Minn.

Saumer worked for the University of Minnesota Extension Service as an extension educator in Otter Tail County from 1998 to 2000. He was also an agriculture agent for the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service from 2000 to 2004 and the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service from 2007 to 2008.

Saumer held elective office as a Pine County Soil and Water District supervisor from 1996 to 2007. He additionally served as the District 3 area director for the State Soil and Water Conservation District board representing 10 counties in northeastern Minnesota. Saumer first sought the Republican endorsement to run for the Senate in 2006.

In his free time, Saumer enjoys raising beef cattle, pigs and chickens on his organic farm.

Saumer said he is running because he is concerned about state and national spending and debt, and because his experience as a public school teacher gives him a unique perspective to talk about government reform.

“I am running because I am concerned about my students and our government’s spending that they will be obligated to pay back,” he stated.

Saumer has five children, Katie (25), Zach (22), Hans (15), and Emily (12). His oldest son, Alex (24), is presently attending law school at St. Thomas University.

If you have questions, you may reach Pine County Republican media coordinator Tony Domagall at TonyDomagall@MSN.com or Bill Saumer at 320-629-FARM.

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