You are on page 1of 1

✉ Subscribe  Donate to Ballotpedia Share: ! "

Search the Encyclopedia of American Politics #

 SITE NAVIGATION  PAGE CONTENTS


Return to top
What's on your
ballot? Biography

Engage with ◄ Committee ◄


Ballotpedia
Carla Nelson assignments

Sign up for our Sponsored


newsletters Carla J. Nelson (b. May 22, 1957) is a Republican member of the Minnesota State Carla Nelson legislation
Senate, representing District 26. She was first elected to the chamber in 2010. In the
2013-2014 session, Nelson served as an Assistant Minority Leader.
News ◄ Elections ◄

Nelson was a Republican candidate for Minnesota's 1st Congressional District in the
About voting ◄ U.S. House. Nelson lost the primary on August 14, 2018. Campaign themes

Nelson served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2005.


2019 elections ◄ Campaign donors ◄

Minnesota State Senate District 26


2020 presidential ◄ Scorecards ◄
election Tenure
Biography 2011 - Present
Personal
Term ends
2020 elections ◄
Nelson earned her B.S. in education with an emphasis in special education from Drake 2021
University and her M.Ed. in teacher leadership from the University of Minnesota. She Years in position Recent news
Government ◄ also is certified as a reading specialist through the University of Minnesota. Nelson's 8
professional experience includes working as an educator and small business owner. Prior offices See also
Politics and policy ◄ Minnesota House of
Representatives
External links
About us ◄ Republican Party
Committee assignments Compensation Footnotes
Base salary $31,141/year
Per diem $86/day
2017 legislative session Elections and appointments
Last elected November 8, 2016
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following
Education
committees:
Bachelor's Drake University
Minnesota committee assignments, 2017 [hide] Graduate University of
• Capital Investment Minnesota
Personal
• E-12 Education Finance, Chair
Profession Teacher/Owner
• Finance Insurance and
Investment Firm
• Health and Human Services
Contact
• State Government Campaign website
Campaign Facebook

2015 legislative session


At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Nelson served on the following committees:

Minnesota committee assignments, 2015 [show]

2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Nelson served on the following committees:

Minnesota committee assignments, 2013 [hide]


• Capital Investment
• Education
• Health, Human Services and Housing
• Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development
• Taxes

2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Nelson served on the following committees:

Minnesota committee assignments, 2011 [show]

Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills sponsored by this legislator. Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history.
The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills sponsored by this person, click on the legislator's name in the
title of the table.

Bills Sponsored By: Carla Nelson


Omnibus E-12 education finance bill
Omnibus E-12 education finance bill
5/24/2019: Laid on Table
Rochester township youth shelter bond issue and a…
Rochester township youth shelter bond issue and
appropriation
5/19/2019: Referred to Capital Investment
Resolution calling for an end to the cold genocide a…
Resolution calling for an end to the cold genocide and
forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in
China
4/1/2019: Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety Finance…

Elections

2018
See also: Minnesota's 1st Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 1

Jim Hagedorn (R) defeated Dan Feehan (D) in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota
District 1 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate % Votes

Jim Hagedorn (R) 50.1 146,200

Dan Feehan (D) 49.7 144,885

Other/Write-in votes 0.2 576

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been Total votes: 291,661
certified. Source (100.00% precincts
reporting)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1

Dan Feehan defeated Colin Minehart in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota
District 1 on August 14, 2018.

Candidate % Votes

Dan Feehan (D) 83.1 39,252

Colin Minehart (D) 16.9 7,979

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been Total votes: 47,231
certified. Source

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1

Jim Hagedorn defeated Carla Nelson, Steve Williams, and Andrew Candler in the Republican
primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1 on August 14, 2018.

Candidate % Votes

Jim Hagedorn (R) 60.1 25,431

Carla Nelson (R) 32.2 13,631

Steve Williams (R) 5.1 2,144

Andrew Candler (R) 2.6 1,107

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been Total votes: 42,313
certified. Source

2016
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Minnesota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the
general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016.

Incumbent Carla Nelson defeated Rich Wright in the Minnesota State Senate District 26 general election.[1][2]
Minnesota State Senate, District 26 General Election, 2016 [hide]
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Carla Nelson Incumbent 56.01% 23,325
Democratic Rich Wright 43.99% 18,317
Total Votes 41,642
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

Rich Wright ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 26 Democratic primary.[3][4]
Incumbent Carla Nelson ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 26 Republican primary.[3][4]

2012
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012

Nelson won election in District 26 in 2012. She was unopposed in the August 14 Republican primary and defeated Kenneth
Moen (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[5][6]

Minnesota State Senate, District 26, General Election, 2012 [hide]


Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Carla Nelson Incumbent 55.7% 22,263
Democratic Kenneth Moen 44.3% 17,692
Total Votes 39,955

2010
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2010

Nelson won election to the District 30 seat in 2010. She had no primary opposition. She defeated incumbent Ann Lynch
(DFL) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[7]

Minnesota State Senate, District 30 (2010)


Candidates Votes Percent
Carla Nelson (R) 16,757 54.30%

Ann Lynch (DFL) 14,056 45.55%

Write-In 47 0.15%

Campaign themes
2016
Nelson's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[8]

Healthcare

Excerpt: "She will continue working to reform or replace MNSure to protect patient choice and hold down premium
hikes."
Education

Excerpt: "Carla was chief author of critical funding for the Rochester Reading Center, and she championed reforms to
concurrent enrollment practices to make college more affordable, lower college debt and empower students to graduate
earlier while preparing them for tomorrows jobs."
Military veterans and seniors

Excerpt: "Carla championed legislation to end the taxation of military pensions; she will continue the fight to end double
taxation of social security benefits to help Minnesota’s seniors."
Transportation

Excerpt: "Carla boldly supported the largest transportation funding package in our state’s history, which made much
needed improvements to roads and bridges in Greater Minnesota."
Energy and environment

Excerpt: "Carla will work to keep energy dependable and affordable while protecting our planet."

2012
Nelson's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[9]

Jobs and the Economy

Excerpt: "As a small business owner, Carla knows we must improve Minnesota’s private sector job climate through lower
taxation and smarter regulation. Minnesota is one of the least job friendly states in the nation. We must change this to
keep and expand Minnesota jobs!"
Budget

Excerpt: "Carla will solve the massive looming budget deficit using a balanced approach. Increase revenues through
increased economic activity. Hold a lid on and reduce job-killing tax burdens in an already highly taxed state. Reduce the
size of government focus on priorities and increase results."

Education

Excerpt: "Lawmakers must correct our school funding formulas to remove large funding disparities between school
districts. Student achievement must be the focus of education reform and funding."
Healthcare

Excerpt: "Carla is an advocate for patient-centered health care. She will fight to preserve patient choice and will work to
reform the payment system to reward outcomes. Carla authored legislation that formed the cutting edge Minnesota
Partnership between Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota."

Campaign donors
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the
election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Why is that? While candidates and
parties must file detailed expenditure reports, independent organizations and unions are not required to file reports in every
case. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page
you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices,
complete data can be found at the FEC website . Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more
on state campaign finance law.

Comprehensive donor information is shown below. Based on available campaign finance records, Nelson raised a total of
$404,136 in elections. Ballotpedia updates the information below in the years following a general election.[10]
Carla Nelson campaign contribution history [hide]
Year Office Result Contributions

Minnesota State Senate,


2016 $118,579
District 26

2012 Minnesota Senate, District 26 $79,419

2010 Minnesota Senate, District 30 $70,504

2006 Minnesota House, District 30A $42,708

2004 Minnesota House, District 30A $58,766

2002 Minnesota House, District 30A $34,160

Grand total raised $404,136

Source: Follow the Money

2016
Nelson won re-election to the Minnesota State Senate in 2016. During that election cycle, Nelson raised a total of $118,579.
Minnesota State Senate 2016 election - campaign contributions [hide]
Top contributors to Carla Nelson's campaign in 2016

Public Fund $8,393

Nelson, Carla Jean $2,993

Weis, Joseph C $1,100

Nobrega, Fred N $1,100

Hubbard, Stanley S $1,000

Total raised in 2016 $118,579

Source: Follow the Money

2012
Nelson won re-election to the Minnesota State Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Nelson raised a total of $79,419.
Minnesota State Senate 2012 election - campaign contributions [show]

2010
In 2010, Nelson raised $70,504 in contributions.[11]

Her four largest contributors were:

Donor Amount
Nelson Carla Jean
$14,014
House Dist 30A Cmte
Public Fund $11,567
1st Congressional
$2,700
District RPM
Nelson, Carla J $1,143

Scorecards
See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Minnesota

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions.
Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For
example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s
scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number
of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available
scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Minnesota scorecards, email
suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org .

2019
In 2019, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 20.

The American Conservative Union


Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Action 4 Liberty
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Gun Owners Caucus

Legislators are scored on their votes on gun rights.

Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota


Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a
constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life : Senate and House


Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.

Taxpayers League of Minnesota


Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.

2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. [show]

2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. [show]

2016
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. [show]

2015
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. [show]

2014
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. [show]

2013
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. [show]

2012
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. [show]

2011
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. [show]

Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Nelson and her husband, Terry, have three children.

Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Carla + Nelson + Minnesota + Senate

Carla Nelson News Feed

See also
United States House of Representatives
Suggest a link
Minnesota's 1st Congressional District election, 2018
Minnesota's 1st Congressional District

External links
Office website
Suggest a link
Carla Nelson on Facebook
Carla Nelson on Twitter
Campaign website
Profile from Open States
Biography from Project Vote Smart
Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
Campaign Contributions: 2010

Footnotes
1. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
2. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9,
2016
5. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "State of Minnesota Canvassing Report," accessed May 25, 2014
6. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Canvassing Report - State Primary - Tuesday, August 14,
Only the first few references on this page are shown above. Click to show more.

Political offices
Preceded by Minnesota State Senate District 26 Succeeded by
Mike Parry (R) 2013- present NA
Preceded by Minnesota State Senate District 30 Succeeded by
Ann Lynch (DFL) 2011–2013 Mary Kiffmeyer (R)

v•e
Minnesota's current delegation to the United States Congress [show]

v•e
Current members of the Minnesota State Senate [show]

v•e
[show]
State of Minnesota
St. Paul (capital)

Ballotpedia features 299,403 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and
researchers. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Click here to contact us for media inquiries,
and please donate here to support our continued expansion.

GET ENGAGED 2019 ELECTIONS 2020 ELECTIONS ELECTION RESOURCES GOVERNMENT

Front Page Overview Overview Sample Ballot Lookup U.S. President


Sample Ballot Lookup U.S. Congress special U.S. President Election Calendar U.S. Congress
elections
Who Represents Me? U.S. Congress Election Results U.S. Supreme Court
State Executives
Email Updates State Executives Ballotpedia's Candidate Federal Courts
State Legislatures Connection
Ballotpedia Events State Legislatures State Executives
State Judges Poll Opening and Closing
Donate to Ballotpedia State Judges State Legislatures
Times
State Ballot Measures
Other Ways to Engage State Ballot Measures State Courts
State Voter ID Laws
Local Ballot Measures
Job Opportunities Local Ballot Measures State Ballot Measures
Early Voting
Municipal Officials
Report an Error Municipal Officials Local Ballot Measures
Absentee Voting
School Boards
School Boards Municipal Government
Online Voter Registration
Recalls
Recalls School Boards
Ballot Access
Local Courts

POLITICS PUBLIC POLICY ABOUT US

Trump Admin. Policies Overview About Ballotpedia


Trump Admin. Cabinet Budget Index of Contents
Administrative State Campaign Finance Scope of Ballotpedia
Supreme Court Cases Civil Liberties History of Ballotpedia
State Trifectas Education Ballotpedia in the News
State Triplexes Election Media Inquiries
Influencers Endangered Species Advertise with Ballotpedia
Redistricting Energy Ballotpedia Staff
Fact Checks Environment Neutrality Policy
Polling Indexes Finance Privacy Policy
Healthcare Editorial Independence
Immigration General Disclaimer
Pension Ad Policy
Redistricting
Voting

Privacy policy · About Ballotpedia · Disclaimers · Login

You might also like