PORTER — A Lincoln County resident and farmer plans to run for Minnesota state Senate in Sen. Bill Weber’s district.

Krist Wollum, a grain and cattle farmer from rural Porter and the legislative chair of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, announced this week that he will run in state Senate District 21.

“I want to be a strong voice for rural Minnesota, especially for agriculture,” Wollum said Tuesday. He said he had been involved in politics for a long time through the MSCA, and hoped to continue advocating for rural communities. “I felt as though this was an opportunity. With Mr. Weber retiring, someone needed to step up.”

Weber, R-Luverne, announced earlier this month that he will not be seeking re-election this fall. Weber was first elected to the state Senate in 2012.

Senate District 21 includes Lincoln, Pipestone, Murray, Cottonwood, Rock, Nobles and Jackson counties, as well as parts of Watonwan and Martin counties.

Wollum said he is the fourth generation operating his family’s farm and feedlot outside of Porter. Wollum started farming with his father Harvey and brother Mark in 1992. Today he raises grain, cattle and stock cows together with his nephew.

“I have been actively involved in the community for many years,” Wollum said in his announcement. He had served as president of the local Jaycees chapter, and served on the Marble Township board of supervisors for 20 years.

Wollum has also been an active member of MSCA. He served as MSCA president in 2017 and 2018, and was named Minnesota Cattleman of the Year in 2020. After that, Wollum was nominated to serve as MSCA legislative chair.

“This has given me insight on the workings of policy that can eventually become bills that hopefully become laws,” Wollum said. “I have testified on issues before both the Senate and the House and took part in the state committee on roadside mowing.”

In his announcement of intent to run for Senate, Wollum said he would strive to work on issues that protect family farms and end excessive regulations. He said he was also committed to addressing waste and misuse of tax dollars in Minnesota.

“We need stronger oversight and accountability that leads to an end of this abuse. Some of this waste has forced leadership to shift higher tax burdens on land and small businesses, making it difficult to remain profitable,” he said.

Wollum said policies to support Minnesota veterans were also important to him, as was funding and training resources for law enforcement.

“It’s very important to me that law enforcement needs to be fully funded, so they have the resources and training they need to do their job,” he said.

In his announcement, Wollum said he was looking forward to hearing from District 21 residents.

“My campaign is about serving the people of District 21. I am willing to listen to our communities, work through any differences, and use common sense to develop solutions that will better the lives of the people in southwest Minnesota,” he said.