Spencer R. Igo (/ˈaɪɡoʊ/ EYE-goh;[1] born March 26, 1996) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2021. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Igo represents District 7A in northern Minnesota, including the city of Hibbing and parts of Aitkin, Itasca and St. Louis Counties.[2][3]
Spencer Igo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 7A district | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Sandy Layman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 26, 1996 Grand Rapids, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Wabana Township, Itasca County, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Education | University of North Dakota (BS) |
| Occupation | |
| Website | Government website Campaign website |
Early life, education and career
editIgo grew up in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and graduated from Grand Rapids High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration from the University of North Dakota.[2]
Igo worked as a field director for Jason Lewis's 2018 campaign for the United States House of Representatives. He then worked as Congressman Pete Stauber's northern field representative in Minnesota's 8th congressional district from 2019 to 2021.[2]
Minnesota House of Representatives
editIgo was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020 and was reelected in 2022. He first ran after two-term Republican incumbent Sandy Layman announced that she would not seek reelection.[4] Following 2022 legislative redistricting, he was drawn into the same area as DFL Representative Julie Sandstede, whom he defeated in the general election.[5][6]
Igo serves as an assistant minority leader for the House Republican caucus and sits on the Climate and Energy, Economic Development, and Sustainable Infrastructure Committees.[2]
Igo has been outspoken in his support of the mining and timber industries in northern Minnesota, and critical of the state environmental review process.[7][8] He has argued that bans on mining will send mining jobs overseas where environmental and labor standards are lower and described himself as "pro-labor, against right-to-work."[9][10] After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Igo wrote a letter calling on President Joe Biden to increase oil production and mining to decrease reliance on foreign imports.[11]
In 2021, Igo proposed legislation to hold a wolf hunting season.[12] Igo opposed efforts to ban lead fishing tackles due to concerns with implementation and the high cost of alternatives.[13]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Spencer Igo | 14,432 | 61.04 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Joe Abeyta | 9,187 | 38.85 | |
| Write-in | 26 | 0.11 | ||
| Total votes | 23,645 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Spencer Igo (incumbent) | 10,342 | 53.75 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Julie Sandstede (incumbent) | 8,887 | 46.19 | |
| Write-in | 13 | 0.07 | ||
| Total votes | 19,242 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
Personal life
editIgo lives in Wabana Township, Minnesota. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.[2]
References
edit- ^ Minnesota Legislative Report - April 16, 2023: Rep. Spencer Igo and Sen. Grant Hauschild. PBS North. April 16, 2023. Event occurs at 1:09. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c d e "Igo, Spencer - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
- ^ "Rep. Spencer Igo (07A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Staff reports. "Grand Rapids native Spencer Igo announces candidacy for District 5B". The Pilot Independent. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
- ^ Oot, Torey Van (2022-10-18). "Control of Minnesota Capitol could hinge on incumbent vs. incumbent battles". Axios. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
- ^ Bierschbach, Briana (October 12, 2022). "Minnesota Republicans hope to turn the Iron Range red this fall". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Igo, Spencer (February 23, 2022). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Counterpoint: We must welcome investment in northern Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Kraker, Dan (June 21, 2021). "Wood products plant to bring 150 jobs to northeast MN". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Kraker, Dan (November 3, 2022). "A redder Range could determine the makeup of Minnesota's Legislature". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Zdechlik, Mark (February 9, 2023). "In St. Cloud, VP Harris promotes electric vehicles". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Orenstein, Walker (2022-03-14). "How the invasion of Ukraine became part of the debate over copper-nickel mining in northern Minnesota". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Stanley, Greg (February 25, 2021). "As Minnesota considers wolf hunt, Wisconsin hunters blow past quotas". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ Stanley, Greg (February 24, 2021). "As trumpeter swans die, Minnesota lawmakers consider banning lead jigs and fishing tackle". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
- ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 5B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 7A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
External links
edit- Spencer Igo at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
- Official House of Representatives website
- Official campaign website