Elliott Engen (born October 6, 1998) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Engen represents District 36A in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Lino Lakes, White Bear Township and Circle Pines and parts of Anoka and Ramsey Counties in Minnesota.[1][2]
Elliott Engen | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 36A district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | redistricted |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 6, 1998 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Faith |
| Residence | White Bear Township, Minnesota |
| Education | Hamline University (BA) |
| Occupation | Legislator |
| Website | Government website Campaign website |
Early life, education, and career
editEngen attended White Bear High School in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He earned a bachelor's degree in legal studies and political science from Hamline University.[1]
While attending Hamline, Engen started a chapter of the right-wing student organization Turning Point USA.[3][4] He was encouraged to run for office by Iowa state representative Joe Mitchell while the two were "discussing policy in a hot tub" at a Turning Point USA Student Action Summit. Engen has said he no longer supports the organization.[3]
Engen worked for a wildlife conservation group focused on invasive species prevention, but left the job before joining the legislature.[3][5]
Minnesota House of Representatives
editEngen was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022. He first ran in 2020, unsuccessfully challenging one-term DFL incumbent Ami Wazlawik. He ran again and won in 2022 in an open seat created by legislative redistricting and Wazlawik's retirement.[1] He is the first Generation Z Republican elected to the Minnesota Legislature.[3]
Engen serves as an assistant minority leader for the House Republican caucus and sits on the Human Services Policy, Public Safety Finance and Policy, and Rules and Legislative Administration Committees.[1]
Political positions
editEngen's 2022 campaign platform focused on "public safety, education, and pocketbook concerns".[5] He is anti-abortion and has claimed it "won't be an issue that Republicans address" due to a prior state supreme court decision.[5] Engen has voted against legislation that codified the right to an abortion into state law, and a law to restore voting rights for felons serving parole.[3] He opposed a move to raise legislators' per diem payments, calling it "self-centered" and "egregious".[6]
In 2023, Engen authored the "Safe Haven In Every Local District (SHIELD) Act", which would require school security system improvements.[3]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Ami Wazlawik (incumbent) | 13,906 | 50.12 | |
| Republican | Elliott Engen | 13,806 | 49.76 | |
| Write-in | 32 | 0.12 | ||
| Total votes | 27,744 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Elliott Engen | 11,705 | 51.39 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Susie Strom | 11,063 | 48.57 | |
| Write-in | 10 | 0.04 | ||
| Total votes | 22,778 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
Personal life
editEngen lives in White Bear Township, Minnesota with his wife, Faith.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Engen, Elliot - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- ^ "Rep. Elliott Engen (36A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- ^ a b c d e f Gerezgiher, Feven (2023-03-20). "Meet the first Gen Z Republican elected to the Minnesota Legislature". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ Holm, Kelly (November 30, 2019). "Turning Point USA sets up shop". The Hamline Oracle. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ a b c Bakst, Brian (2022-09-15). "One-party rule or divided Capitol again? Voters to decide". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (June 8, 2023). "Higher daily expense payments, salaries on tap for Minnesota legislators". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 38B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 36A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.