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Chris Gerlach
Chris Gerlach is a former Republican member of the Minnesota State Senate, representing District 36 from 2004 to 2013 and serving as an assistant majority leader. He was first elected in a special election in 2004. Before becoming a Senator, Gerlach was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1999 to 2005.
Gerlach graduated with his bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas and earned his master's degree in business administration from South Dakota University. Gerlach's professional experience includes working as a real estate agent and as the owner/operator of a direct marketing and mail processing business. Gerlach served in the United States Air Force.[1]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Gerlach served on these committees:
- Capital Investment
- Commerce and Consumer Protection, Chair
- Environment and Natural Resources
- Rules and Administration
- Subcommitte on Redistricting
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Gerlach served on these committees:
- Business, Industry and Jobs
- Capital Investment
- Commerce and Consumer Protection (Ranking Minority Member)
- E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
- Education
- State and Local Government Operations and Oversight (Ranking Minority Member)[2].
Elections
2012
- See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012
Gerlach announced he would not seek re-election in 2012 in order to be up to spend more time with his family and working on his direct mail business.[3]
2010
- See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2010
Gerlach won re-election to the 37th District seat in 2010. He had no primary opposition. Michael Germain ran for the seat on the Republican ticket. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.
| Minnesota State Senate, District 37 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Chris Gerlach (R)
|
20622 | 59.55% | ||
| Michael Germain (DFL) | 13984 | 40.38% | ||
| Write-In | 23 | 0.07% | ||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Gerlach won re-election to the 37th District Seat in the Minnesota State Senate, defeating Michael Germain (DFL).[4]
| Minnesota State Senate, District 37 (2006) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Chris Gerlach (R)
|
18,847 | 54.29% | ||
| Michael Germain {DFL) | 15,835 | 45.61% | ||
| Write-In | 35 | 0.10% | ||
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
Taxpayers League of Minnesota
The Taxpayers League of Minnesota, a Minnesota-based taxpayer advocacy organization, releases a legislative scorecard for the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota State Senate once a year. The scorecard gives each legislator a score based on how they voted in the prior legislative term on tax issues and “their efforts to balance the state budget without a tax increase.” The organization also compiles a legislator’s individual "Lifetime Score."[5]
2012
Gerlach received a score of 100 percent in the 2012 scorecard, ranking 4th out of all 67 Minnesota State Senate members.[6]
2011
Gerlach received a score of 77 percent in the 2011 scorecard, ranking 32nd out of all 67 Minnesota State Senate members.[7]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Chris + Gerlach + Minnesota + Senate
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Gerlach is married to his wife Shelli, they have two children.
External links
- Chris Gerlach's official campaign website
- Chris Gerlach's official Minnesota State Senate website
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998
- Minnesota Public Radio votetracker profile
- Chris Gerlach on Facebook
Footnotes
- ↑ Vote Smart, "Chris Gerlach's Biography," accessed October 25, 2023
- ↑ "Minnesota Senate" List of Standing Committees
- ↑ This Week Live, "Update: Gerlach steps aside for new Senate representation," March 14, 2012
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official Results General Election - Nov. 7, 2006," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecards," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecard, 2012," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecard, 2011," accessed May 15, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Minnesota State Senate District 37 2004–2013 |
Succeeded by Alice M. Johnson (DFL) |
