Oakdale Man Seeks DFL Nod for Senate District 53 Seat

An Oakdale man announced Tuesday he’ll seek the DFL endorsement to run for the Minnesota Senate in District 53, according to a press release.

John Becker served for 13 years as the music director at , and is still active in the church, the release says. He’s worked as an editor of state laws at Thomson Reuters for more than 21 years, according to the release.

“I like my life; the American Dream works for me,” Becker said in the release, “but life is hard for many. Government does not exist to make people like me more comfortable; it exists to make a good life possible for everyone.”

Becker, who has lived in Oakdale for 28 years, said if elected he would restore funds for education at all levels, and work to meet the needs of vulnerable people who can’t speak for themselves, in the release.

“I will do what I can to improve the divisive atmosphere at the Capitol,” he said. “Let’s work together for a change.”

Becker also composes music, and was a contestant on the game show Jeopardy, according to the release.

He has been married for 34 years to his wife, Karen, and they have three grown children who all graduated from , in Oakdale, the release says.

Woodbury resident for the Senate seat in District 53, which includes Woodbury, Landfall, a portion of Maplewood and the portion of Oakdale south of 10th Street.

Senate District 53 DFLers will hold their endorsing convention at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Tartan High School.

Local Republicans have endorsed Sen. Ted Lillie, to run for Senate in the new district.

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