Lifelong St. Michael area resident Jeanne Holland has declared her candidacy for State Representative of House District 30B which includes the communities of St. Michael, Albertville and portions of Otsego, Hanover and Dayton.
She would challenge current State Rep. Eric Lucero, a Republican from Dayton, in the spring nomination process. Lucero just finished his first two-year term.
Holland, herself a St. Michael-Albertville High School graduate, previously spent 14 years on the St. Michael-Albertville School Board previous to moving out of the district and into what is considered the Elk River School District.
“I’ve been thinking about it since the fall and a lot of people have been encouraging me to run,” Holland said in an interview early this week. “I’m asking anyone who wants me to represent them to go to caucus on March 1 and volunteer to be a delegate April 2,” she explained noting that she will only continue to campaign if she receives the Republican endorsement.
Holland is passionate about school funding equity, bringing technical education back to schools throughout the state and getting funding for roads.
Long time St. Michael-Albertville School Board member Jeanne Holland (left) has declared her candidacy for the GOP nomination in House District 30B.
“I really feel the need to serve the people of this community, and God puts you where you need to be,” she said. Holland has lived in the St. Michael area her entire life and many of her family members including four of her five adult children and her parents still do.
Holland is a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and has been involved in the local community from Boy Scout leadership to teaching confirmation.
“Unseating someone can be a struggle,” she said of the current incumbent Lucero, who replaced David Fitzsimmons after Fitzsimmons withdrew his name during the endorsement process at the 2014 GOP convention, and proceeded to win election against former St. Michael City Council member Kevin Kasel and DFL endorsed Sharon Shimek.