Hibbing special education teacher jumps into MN governor race

Another northern Minnesota Republican has jumped into a statewide race. After yesterday’s announcement that St. Louis Co. Commissioner Chris Dahlberg was jumping into the U.S. Senate race, today Hibbing special education teacher Rob Farnsworth announced his bid for governor on the GOP ticket.

Farnsworth joins several Republican candidates seeking to challenge Gov. Mark Dayton (D-MN), among them former House Speaker Rep. Kurt Zellers, businessman Scott Honour, State Sen. Dave Thompson, Hennepin Co. Commissioner Jeff Johnson. Other Republicans, like former Rep. Marty Seifert and State Sen. Julie Rosen, are also considering bids.

The last time we heard Farnsworth’s name was when he briefly sought the 2010 GOP endorsement for Congress. Former U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) emerged triumphant out of that crowded field and would go on to upset former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN8) in the following election. Farnsworth is active in Republican politics in the Hibbing area, where the DFL has controlled most offices since WWII.

You can read Farnsworth’s announcement press release below the jump:

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Farnsworth officially announces candidacy for Governor of Minnesota.
Hibbing, MN, 8/21/13 – Robert Farnsworth of Hibbing has announced that he will run for the GOP endorsement for Governor of Minnesota.

About announcing his candidacy the day prior to the start of the Minnesota State Fair and having his own booth at the fair, Farnsworth said, “I want it to be abundantly clear that this is a Minnesota campaign. I want to meet and talk to as many Minnesotans as possible. I want to be accessible to local press, and no venue makes this more possible than the ‘Great Minnesota Get Together.’” Farnsworth will be available at his fair booth between August 22nd-25th and August 30th-September 2nd. As a teacher, Farnsworth will return to work between August 26th-29th for the start of the year teacher in-service days, but his booth (located across from the Fine Arts building) will continue to be open those days. Local members of the press will be given priority over national media for all interviews.

Farnsworth is the son of a 33-year retired miner and has been a licensed teacher for the past 13 years. In addition, he has been a union member for 15 years and was previously the local union president for two years while teaching for the Department of Corrections. Farnsworth said, “I admire what Chip Cravaack was able to do in the 8th District. As a former union member, he was able to bring conservative union members into the Republican coalition, and this propelled him to victory in 2010. I am the only announced candidate that brings these strengths to the campaign.”

When asked why he is running, Farnsworth said, “I have three children under the age of five. Under the current leadership, we are going to leave them a state that provides less opportunity than the Minnesota that I grew up in. We can truly reform education to teach kids what they will actually use and have them ready for life. We can reform government to provide services that are most beneficial to all while empowering cities and counties to provide services at the local level. I have the conviction that Minnesota can, and should be, the place that the rest of the nation looks to as an example of how things are done right.”

Farnsworth lives in Hibbing with his wife, Jamie, and three young children—Hannah (4), Isaac (3), and Abigail (1). He is currently employed as a special education teacher with the Hibbing School District. After graduating from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in history, Farnsworth earned his master’s degree from Mankato in special education. He has experience teaching Special Education, Civics, and U.S. History in the correctional setting and in the public schools.