Breaking News: Ditlevson announces candidacy for House seat in 19B

Three days after Rep. John Petersburg, R-Waseca, announced his planned retirement from the Minnesota Legislature, an Owatonna man is the first to throw his hat in the ring.

Mick Ditlevson announced today that he will run for the open seat in District 19B of the state House of Representatives.

Ditlevson, a Republican, was raised in Owatonna, where he owns and operates a grain farm operation.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.

After graduation, he went on to work in Washington, D.C., as a presidential appointee; his work included advance operations with the White House, the Environmental Protection Agency and later with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ditlevson left his position at the nation’s capital to return to Minnesota and transition to the operation of the family farm.

He is an honors graduate of Owatonna High School. During high school, Ditlevson completed his junior year in Copenhagen, Denmark, as a selected member of the Rotary International Youth Exchange, representing the Owatonna noon club.

Ditlevson’s campaign slogan is “It is Time to Reel it in,” directed toward what he calls reckless spending at the state level. As an economics major and owner of local farmland, he has gained insight into measures that he believes can be implemented in rolling back the state budget.

He said he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the average renter or homeowner, the issues affecting senior citizens trying to make ends meet, and the demands on young families to stretch the dollar.

Ditlevson believes his experience in money management, in addition to his education and experience in finance, will allow him to be a needed voice in St. Paul.

He describes himself as a committed and hard-working individual who intends to make Minnesota an even better place to live, work and enjoy the benefits of our communities.

District 19B includes the northern two-thirds of Steele County, the city of Waseca and two townships in central Waseca County.

Petersburg will retire on Dec. 31.