From www.sertich4rep.org

State Representative Tony Sertich was elected to the Minnesota House of Representative in 2000. His family has deep roots on Northern Minnesota's Iron Range -- both his great-grandfather and his grandfather worked in the iron ore mines. His parents were both teachers who were forced to leave Northern Minnesota to find work, and later moved back to teach mine safety and open a small business in the health care field.

<>His family background and the strong political traditions of Northeastern Minnesota led Sertich to an interest in public service. In college he majored in Political Science and Theatre Arts and also interned for then State Senator Jerry Janezich from Chisholm, the Chair of the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee. After college he went to work for Senator Janezich, working with him as an assistant to the committee that shaped the jobs and economic development issues that are vital to Minnesota -- especially his home region.

In 2000, Sertich decided to run for the Legislature when a House seat opened up in his home district. His campaign focused on bringing jobs to rural Minnesota, improving the quality of public education, strengthening access to health care, and improving the business climate for small businesses. His strong background in state government and his focus on these issues were keys to winning the DFL primary against five opponents, and carrying the general election with 65 percent of the vote against two opponents. Sertich was elected when he was 24 years old.

In the Legislature, Sertich serves on the Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Committee, the Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee, and the Economic Development and Tourism Division, and he has continued to work on these issues. He was elected the Chair of the Freshmen DFL caucus by his colleagues who were also elected in 2000.

As Minnesota's economy continues to suffer, Sertich has made bring jobs to Northern Minnesota his  primary focus. He authored a legislative resolution to bolster the domestic steel industry that was passed and signed by the Governor, testified before the International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. in favor of stronger tariffs on subsidized foreign steel, and has worked to protect the 21st Century Minerals Fund that invests in innovative new natural resource-based rebusinesses in Northern Minnesota. He also serves on the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

On education, Sertich has pushed for additional aid for rural schools, especially those that are experiencing declining enrollment. To strengthen rural health care, Sertich has worked to improve state support for nursing homes and increase medical reimbursement rates for rural hospitals.