# Steve Gander *American Republican politician and optometrist; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (1B) since 2025* Steve Gander, an optometrist and member of the Republican Party, has represented District 1B in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2025.[^1] Before joining the House, he was mayor of [[East Grand Forks, Minnesota]], from 2017 to 2025.[^1] Gander sought the District 1B seat after the Republican incumbent, [[Deb Kiel]], chose not to run for re-election. He entered the race to replace her and was sworn in in January 2025.[^1] ## Early life Gander was born on August 27, 1961.[^1] As a young man he was a schoolmate of [[Dave Thompson (Minnesota politician)|Dave Thompson]], who later became a state senator.[^1] ## Political career From 2017 to 2025, Gander held the office of mayor of East Grand Forks.[^1] When Kiel declined to seek another term in District 1B, Gander ran for the open seat as a Republican. He took office in January 2025.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Steve Gander, born August 27, 1961, is a Republican politician and optometrist.[^1] ### What - Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B, since 2025.[^1] ### When - Born August 27, 1961.[^1] - Mayor of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, 2017–2025.[^1] - Took office in the Minnesota House in January 2025.[^1] ### Where - East Grand Forks, Minnesota (mayoral service).[^1] - Minnesota House District 1B, in [[Minnesota]].[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Steve Gander* (revision 1350355523, retrieved 2026-10-26) — birth date; occupation as optometrist; Republican affiliation; mayoralty of East Grand Forks 2017–2025; House District 1B service from January 2025; succession to Deb Kiel after she declined to seek re-election; youth schooling with Dave Thompson. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Gander