# Carla Nelson *Minnesota state senator (Republican), District 24* Carla J. Nelson (born May 22, 1957) is a [[Republican Party of Minnesota]] politician who holds the District 24 seat in the [[Minnesota Senate]].[^1] Her district covers portions of Olmsted and Dodge counties in southeastern [[Minnesota]], including much of southern Rochester and some of northwestern Rochester.[^1] She held a seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] from 2003 to 2005 and won election to the Senate in 2010.[^2] In 2018 she sought the Republican nomination for Minnesota's 1st congressional district seat in the [[United States House of Representatives]] and lost the primary to Jim Hagedorn.[^1][^3] ## Early life, education, and career Nelson earned a B.S. in special education at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.[^4] At the [[University of Minnesota]] in [[Minneapolis]] she completed an M.Ed. in teacher leadership and obtained certification as a reading specialist.[^4] She formerly taught elementary and middle school in Rochester. She owns the Olmsted Group, a Rochester firm dealing in insurance and investments.[^4] ## Minnesota Legislature Nelson's House service ran from 2003 to 2005. During that term she held seats on the Education Policy, Higher Education Finance, and Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs committees.[^2] She won her first Senate election in 2010 and was returned to the seat in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2022.[^2] In November 2012 she became an assistant minority leader.[^2] Her listed areas of special legislative concern are health care, commerce, higher education, and taxes.[^2] For 2021, the Minnesota League of Cities, a nonpartisan association of local governments, designated her a Legislator of Distinction. Seven state senators received that designation that year.[^2] ## State boards By appointment, Nelson served on three state boards: the Minnesota Higher Education Finance Authority Board (2005–2009), the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board (CAAPB, 2005–2010), and the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation Board (2008–2010).[^5] ## Civic activities Nelson's civic memberships have included Junior Achievement, the Rochester Music Guild, and the University of Minnesota Citizens Advisory Council.[^6] She sits on the board of directors of Friends of Mayowood and previously served on the board of Next Chapter Ministries.[^6] She belongs to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and serves on its Government Affairs and Government Forums Committee.[^6] She is also a former member of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, where she won as an Aspiring Conductor.[^6] ## 2018 U.S. House campaign The 1st district seat became open when its Democratic incumbent, [[Tim Walz]], chose to run for [[governor]] of Minnesota and not seek another House term.[^3] Nelson declared her candidacy in October 2017.[^3] At the Republican endorsing vote on April 21, 2018, Jim Hagedorn won 76% on the first ballot, and Nelson did not receive the party's endorsement.[^3] Hagedorn then defeated her in the August 12 Republican primary.[^3] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Carla J. Nelson, born May 22, 1957, Republican senator for Minnesota Senate District 24.[^1] ### What - Minnesota House member 2003–2005; Minnesota Senate member since her first election in 2010; assistant minority leader from November 2012.[^2] ### Where - District 24: parts of Olmsted County and Dodge County, including much of southern Rochester and parts of northwestern Rochester.[^1] ### When - 2003–2005: Minnesota House of Representatives.[^2] - 2005–2009: Minnesota Higher Education Finance Authority Board; 2005–2010: CAAPB; 2008–2010: Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation Board.[^5] - 2010: first elected to the Senate; reelected 2012, 2016, 2020, 2022.[^2] - 2021: Legislator of Distinction, Minnesota League of Cities (one of seven state senators).[^2] - October 2017: announced U.S. House candidacy; April 21, 2018: endorsement went to Jim Hagedorn (76%, first ballot); August 12: lost the Republican primary.[^3] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia, *Carla Nelson* (revid 1381702548, retrieved 2026-10-26), lead section — birth date, party, Senate district and its geography, 2018 primary candidacy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carla_Nelson [^2]: Wikipedia, *Carla Nelson* (revid 1381702548, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Minnesota Legislature" section — House and Senate service, committees, leadership post, 2021 League of Cities recognition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carla_Nelson [^3]: Wikipedia, *Carla Nelson* (revid 1381702548, retrieved 2026-10-26), "2018 U.S. House campaign" section — announcement, open seat, endorsement vote, primary result. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carla_Nelson [^4]: Wikipedia, *Carla Nelson* (revid 1381702548, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Early life, education, and career" section — degrees, teaching, business. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carla_Nelson [^5]: Wikipedia, *Carla Nelson* (revid 1381702548, retrieved 2026-10-26), "State boards" section — board appointments and dates. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carla_Nelson [^6]: Wikipedia, *Carla Nelson* (revid 1381702548, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Civic activities" section — memberships and board service. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carla_Nelson