Tom Emmer, 48, of Delano, has officially entered the race for Governor, according to a press release received Monday morning.

Emmer is currently serving his third term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He represents District 19B which includes: Otsego, Albertville, Saint Michael, Rockford Township, Rockford, Franklin Township, Delano, Montrose, Woodland Township, Waverly, Victor Township, and Howard Lake.

“Now is the time for real leadership,” Emmer said. “We must turn the tide on the rapid growth of government. If our great state is ever going to return to the days of prosperity, the days when we attracted the best of the best, the most innovative and the most creative, we must fundamentally change our course.”

Emmer is an attorney in private practice and active volunteer in his community. Prior to being elected to the Minnesota House, Emmer served as a member of the Delano and Independence City Councils. He is a member of Delano Sportsmen’s Club, Minnesota Hockey, and the Delano Catholic Community. Emmer served as the past president of the Delano Area Sports Arena, and has worked with the Lake Sarah/Pioneer Creek Watershed District and volunteer fire departments in Delano, Maple Plain, Loretto and surrounding communities.

“Minnesota can no longer tolerate career politicians with no experience beyond the walls of our capitol or government bureaucracies. Over the past couple of decades, we have stood silently by as the public bureaucracies have grown at an astounding pace at the expense of our private economy. Our employers are leaving. Our jobs have been following them. This cannot continue if our children and grandchildren have any hope of enjoying the American dream here in Minnesota,” Emmer added.

Tom and his wife Jacquie will celebrate their 24^th wedding anniversary this month. They have seven children.

For more detailed information, visit: www.emmerforgovernor.com

Watch the July 13 edition of the Delano Herald Journal for more details.