Gordon Backlund

Gordon Backlund (born November 11, 1940) is an American politician and former engineer who served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1985 to 1986.

Gordon Backclund
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
1985–1986
Personal details
Born (1940-11-11) November 11, 1940
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
RelationsKate Knuth (niece)
EducationUniversity of Minnesota (BS)
University of Iowa (MPA)

Early life and education

Backlund was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Two Harbors High School in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Backlund received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota and his Master of Public Administration from the University of Iowa.

Career

Backlund worked for Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1985 and 1986 and was a Republican. In 1989, Backlund served on the Fridley School Board.[1]

Personal life

Backlund lived in Fridley, Minnesota. Backlund and his wife, Linda, had two children.[2] His son, Mark, died in January 2008, at age 29, after a traffic accident.[3] Mark was tasered by Minnesota State Patrol troopers after being "uncooperative and combative." State troopers were cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident.[4]

His brother-in-law, Daniel Knuth, and his niece, Kate Knuth, also served in the Minnesota Legislature.[5][6]

Notes
  1. Spencer, Adam - 3 school board incumbents face challenger in Sturdevant St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 21, 2009
  2. Mark Backlund Obituary. St. Paul Pioneer Press, January 18, 2008.
  3. John Brewer - Taser victim’s family is left to wonder St. Paul Pioneer Press, January 17, 2008
  4. Pat Pheifer - Troopers cleared in Tasered Fridley man's death Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 8, 2008 quote:"Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said the State Patrol acted appropriately to subdue Mark Backlund in January and a " Taser was a nonfactor"; an autopsy concluded that he died of drug abuse."
  5. Minnesota Legislators Past & Present-Gordon Backlund
  6. Fridley Public Schools District Bulletin, Fridley, Minnesota, December 2013, vol. 48, issue 1, pg.6, School board member named to Fridley Hall of Fame


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