A lifelong Faribault resident, I’m so proud to serve the region I’ve called home my entire life. After graduating from Faribault Senior High School in 1984, I attended University of Minnesota Duluth. After my second year in college, I joined the United States Navy, where I spent four years as an operations specialist and air intercept controller. During my enlistment, I did two tours in the Persian Gulf and earned the Navy Achievement Medal for superior performance as an air intercept controller. After my service, I enrolled in Minnesota State University, Mankato, where I finished my studies in business finance with a concentration in real estate.

After college, I started a real estate career in Faribault. While working in multiple areas of real estate, I also began serving his community, which I’ve done for nearly three decades. I served on the Faribault Planning Commission, the Faribault Economic Development Authority, Faribault City Council, and the Faribault Vision 2040 leadership team, where I was instrumental in planning for the city’s long-term economic future. I was also involved with Faribault MainStreet, Faribo Sno-Go Club, Faribault Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, South Central College Presidents Advisory Committee, and South Central College Foundation, and many other area organizations.

In 1996, I was elected to serve on the Faribault City Council. In 2009, I was elected as mayor of Faribault; I was re-elected in 2012. During my tenure as mayor, I oversaw the largest period of growth and expansion in city history, as well as the investment of new manufacturing facilities and jobs in the Faribault area.

In 2016, I was elected to represent District 24 in the Minnesota State Senate, which includes communities in Dodge, Rice, Steele, and Waseca counties. After securing the Republican endorsement, I handily defeated the longtime DFL incumbent in the general election. In early January 2017, I was officially sworn-in.

During my tenure, I have become known as an authority on the state’s vast transportation and infrastructure needs, as well as a passionate advocate for a limited government that works for the people. After years of waiting, I am so proud to say I secured full state funding for the four-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 14 from Owatonna to Dodge Center during my second year in office! I played a key role in demanding transparency in MnDOT’s selection of highway projects in the Corridors of Commerce transportation program. And I was heavily involved in fixing the Governor Dayton’s MNLARS debacle. I continue to work heavily on securing funding for roads, bridges, and infrastructure projects in District 24 and across the state.

I serve as vice chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, and I also serve on the capital investment, education, local government, and state government committees. I am also honored to have been selected by my colleagues to serve as an assistant majority leader and majority whip, where I play an integral role in the leadership of our majority caucus.

Recognized leader

  • NFIB ‘Guardian of Small Business’, 2019
  • Housing First Leadership Award, 2018
  • American Conservative Union Foundation ‘Award for Conservative Achievement’, 2019
  • League of Minnesota Cities ‘Legislator of Distinction’, 2019
  • Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association ‘Legislator of the Year’, 2017
  • Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities ‘Legislator of Distinction’, 2017, 2018
  • Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities ‘First-term Legislator of the Year’, 2017
  • GOPAC ‘Emerging Leader’, 2018
  • The Council of State Government Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development Fellow

Record of service

  • Assistant Majority Leader – Minnesota Senate
  • Majority Whip – Minnesota Senate
  • Vice Chair, Senate Transportation Committee
  • Member of the Senate capital investment, education, state government, and local government committees
  • Member of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
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