Rochester, MN  (KROC AM News) - A Rochester man Tuesday formally announced his candidacy for the seat in the Minnesota House that is currently held by Kim Norton.

Norton recently announced she will not seek re-election next year.

Duane Sauke (sowk) plans to seek the DFL Party endorsement for the District 25B seat that covers northern Rochester.

Sauke served as a music teacher in public schools and  is a retired local business owner and realtor.

Here is his self-supplied biography:

Duane Sauke has been a neighbor in MN House District 25B for the past 26 years residing in Viking Hills behind Shopko north.  Duane was most recently a local business owner and leader in the community serving on the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce in 1999-2011.  Duane’s background in business, real estate, education and the Rochester community will successfully inform mutual resolutions that are best for District 25B.
Duane grew up on a “share-crop” farm south of Alden, MN in rural south-central Minnesota.  Duane, along with his family of father, mother, two brothers and a sister, learned strong work ethic living on this classic, small farm of the 50’s and 60’s which included dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, and crops.  After completing high school in 1967, Duane attended Luther College on scholarships, grants and a small amount of loans.  During his time at Luther College, Duane met his wife, Debra Sauke. Duane then started his active duty in 1971 in the National Guard.  Duane and Deb married in 1972.
Upon service in the National Guard, Duane started his teaching career as a band instructor in Southeast Iowa in January 1972.  Duane worked as a public school Band Director in Lee Co, IA, Vinton, IA, Urbana, IA, and finally landed back in Minnesota in Rochester’s neighboring community of Elgin.  During that time Duane was often a faculty leader, education community leader and negotiated a number of contracts as part of the teacher union.  As times and skills changed, Duane served as a ½ technology integration coordinator for curriculum and 1/2 Band director during the last two years of teaching.
After retiring from teaching in 1988, Duane entered the field of real estate sales and brokerage.  From 1988 to 1995 Duane was engaged in real estate sales and leadership as Rochester Association of REALTORS President and consultant to a software designer for the local real estate industry.  In 1995 Duane became the managing Broker for RE/MAX of Rochester.  Through hard work and dedication, Duane continued to advance as a partner and in 2007 became sole owner and managing broker of the largest real estate company in the southeast Minnesota region.  During this period, Duane served on the Local and MN REALTOR Association Board of Directors and served as President of the Local and Minnesota State REALTORS Association.  As he continued his career as a successful business owner, Duane also served on the state and national REALTORS Ethics and Professional Standards Committee.
Duane Sauke has served as a leader and member of Lutheran Churches in Elgin and Rochester as council member, president, candidacy committee for ordination, and choir director.
Duane has served on Habitat for Humanity Planning Committee, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Chamber Board Chair, READI Board (Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc),  DMC (Destination Medical Center) Ambassadors, Journey to Growth committee on Diversity and Inclusivity.
Duane and his wife Debra have raised two daughters in their NE Rochester neighborhood and are active in their church, the community, and the lives of their children and grandchildren.

 

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