MONTEVIDEO — Montevideo business owner Scott Van Binsbergen announced Feb. 25 that he is seeking Republican support for the Minnesota House of Representatives seat 16A.
“Minnesota is at a crossroads. One path is to continue Democratic anti-local policies, wasteful spending, rampant inflation, and radical ideology. The other path for my campaign is to pursue economic prosperity, It's a return to common-sense, time-tested, conservative, rural principles that create jobs, a stronger Main Street, respect for traditional moral values, and restore the rule of law to our state,” said Van Binns. Bergen said in a news release announcing the bid.
Mr. Van Binsbergen is president of Van Binsbergen & Associates, which employs more than 100 people in five states. He is a past recipient of the Southwest Minnesota Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In his presentation, he pointed to job creation and his own experience in economic development, real estate, insurance, agriculture, banking, and health care.
He said his priorities include “countering the overwhelming influence of growing far-left ideology while striving to protect traditional values.”
He serves on many local boards, including the Montevideo Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Kiwanis, Hope Reformed Church, and is a member of the West Central Association of Realtors.
He has been appointed to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy by three different Minnesota governors and is a former director of Klein Bank and Old National Bank in Montevideo.
Van Binsbergen and his wife, Clarissa, have been married for 28 years and have three children: Whitney, Andrew, and Adam. Their family lives in Montevideo.
Mr. Van Binsbergen is the second candidate to challenge Republican state Rep. Dean Erdahl of Acton Township, seeking Republican support. Meeker County Commissioner and Eden Valley small business owner Steve Schmidt announced his candidacy on February 4th, and Urdahl announced his re-election campaign on January 29th.
District 16A includes most of Chippewa County, all of Renville County, southeastern Kandiyohi County, and western Meeker County.
