Spencer Igo
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Spencer Igo
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|March 26, 1996}}
| party = Republican
| education = University of North Dakota (BS)
| state_house = Minnesota
| district = 7A
| constituency = 7A (2023-present)
5B (2021-2022)
| term_start = January 5, 2021
| predecessor = Sandy Layman
| image = Spencer Igo-Campaign.jpg
| residence = Wabana Township, Itasca County, Minnesota, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Legislator|Consultant}}
| birth_place = Grand Rapids, Minnesota, U.S.
| website = {{url|https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15540|Government website}} {{url|https://spencerigo.com/|Campaign website}}
}}
Spencer R. Igo ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|aɪ|g|oʊ}} {{respell|EYE|goh}};{{cite AV media |date=April 16, 2023|title=Minnesota Legislative Report - April 16, 2023: Rep. Spencer Igo and Sen. Grant Hauschild
|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2r_a5igOkY|publisher=PBS North|via=YouTube|access-date=August 20, 2024 |time= 1:09}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Igo, Spencer - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=15540 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=www.lrl.mn.gov}}{{Cite web |title=Rep. Spencer Igo (07A) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15540 |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}
Early life, education and career
Igo 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.
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.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Igo 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.{{Cite web |author=Staff reports |title=Grand Rapids native Spencer Igo announces candidacy for District 5B |url=https://www.walkermn.com/news/grand-rapids-native-spencer-igo-announces-candidacy-for-district-5b/article_1975aa6e-aa76-11ea-b141-4f04bf5c5f57.html |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=The Pilot Independent |language=en}} Following 2022 legislative redistricting, he was drawn into the same area as DFL Representative Julie Sandstede, whom he defeated in the general election.{{Cite web |last=Oot |first=Torey Van |date=2022-10-18 |title=Control of Minnesota Capitol could hinge on incumbent vs. incumbent battles |url=https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/10/18/minnesota-incumbent-vs-incumbent-battles-2022 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=Axios |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=October 12, 2022 |title=Minnesota Republicans hope to turn the Iron Range red this fall |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-republicans-hope-to-turn-the-iron-range-red-this-fall/600215140/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=Star Tribune}}
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.
Igo has been outspoken in his support of the mining and timber industries in northern Minnesota, and critical of the state environmental review process.{{Cite web |last=Igo |first=Spencer |date=February 23, 2022 |title=OPINION EXCHANGE {{!}} Counterpoint: We must welcome investment in northern Minnesota |url=https://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-we-must-welcome-investment-in-northern-minnesota/600149839/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=Star Tribune}}{{Cite web |last=Kraker |first=Dan |date=June 21, 2021 |title=Wood products plant to bring 150 jobs to northeast MN |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/06/21/iron-range-board-approves-funding-for-manufacturing-mill |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=MPR News |language=en}} 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."{{Cite web |last=Kraker |first=Dan |date=November 3, 2022 |title=A redder Range could determine the makeup of Minnesota's Legislature |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/11/03/could-a-redder-range-determine-the-makeup-of-the-minn-legislature |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=MPR News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Zdechlik |first=Mark |date=February 9, 2023 |title=In St. Cloud, VP Harris promotes electric vehicles |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/02/09/vp-harris-to-visit-st-cloud-to-promote-electric-vehicles |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=MPR News |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Orenstein |first=Walker |date=2022-03-14 |title=How the invasion of Ukraine became part of the debate over copper-nickel mining in northern Minnesota |url=https://www.minnpost.com/greater-minnesota/2022/03/how-the-invasion-of-ukraine-became-part-of-the-debate-over-copper-nickel-mining-in-northern-minnesota/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}
In 2021, Igo proposed legislation to hold a wolf hunting season.{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Greg |date=February 25, 2021 |title=As Minnesota considers wolf hunt, Wisconsin hunters blow past quotas |url=https://www.startribune.com/as-minnesota-considers-wolf-hunt-wisconsin-hunters-blow-past-quotas/600027577/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=Star Tribune}} Igo opposed efforts to ban lead fishing tackles due to concerns with implementation and the high cost of alternatives.{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Greg |date=February 24, 2021 |title=As trumpeter swans die, Minnesota lawmakers consider banning lead jigs and fishing tackle |url=https://www.startribune.com/as-trumpeter-swans-die-minnesota-lawmakers-consider-banning-lead-jigs-and-fishing-tackle/600026886/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=Star Tribune}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2020 Minnesota State House - District 5B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/IndexErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=364&show=Go|title=2020 Results for State Representative District 5B|access-date=February 11, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Spencer Igo
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 14,432
| percentage = 61.04
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Joe Abeyta
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 9,187
| percentage = 38.85
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 26
| percentage = 0.11
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 23,645
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party of Minnesota
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2022 Minnesota State House - District 7A{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=367&show=Go|title=2022 Results for State Representative District 7A|access-date=February 11, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Spencer Igo (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 10,342
| percentage = 53.75
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Julie Sandstede (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 8,887
| percentage = 46.19
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 13
| percentage = 0.07
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 19242
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party of Minnesota
}}
{{Election box end}}
Personal life
Igo lives in Wabana Township, Minnesota. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{MN-legdb|15540}}
- [https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15540 Official House of Representatives website]
- [https://spencerigo.com/ Official campaign website]
{{Minnesota House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Igo, Spencer}}
Category:Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Category:University of North Dakota alumni