Erik Paulsen

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Erik Paulsen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2009
Preceded by Jim Ramstad
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 42B district
In office
1995–2008
Preceded by Sidney J. Pauly[1]
Succeeded by Jenifer Loon
Minnesota House Majority Leader
In office
January 2003 – January 2007
Preceded by Tim Pawlenty
Succeeded by Tony Sertich
Personal details
Born May 14, 1965 (1965-05-14) (age 46)
Bakersfield, California
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Kelly Paulsen
Residence Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Alma mater St. Olaf College
Profession business analyst
Religion Lutheran - LCMS
Website [2]

Erik Paulsen (born May 14, 1965) is the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The district, the wealthiest of the state's eight congressional districts, is located in the western portion of the Twin Cities including Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka and Wayzata.

Contents

[edit] Early life, education, and business career

Paulsen grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, graduating from Chaska High School, in 1983. He attended St. Olaf College, receiving a BA degree in mathematics, in 1987. During his time at St. Olaf, he met his future wife, Kelly. Paulsen worked as a business analyst (lobbyist) for Target Corporation at its headquarters in Minneapolis.

[edit] Early political career

Paulsen got his start in politics as an intern staff member for Senator Rudy Boschwitz and then joined Representative Jim Ramstad in Washington, D.C.. After working two years for Ramstad, Paulsen served as a state director[clarification needed] for Ramstad's Third Congressional District in Minnesota.[2]

[edit] Minnesota legislature

[edit] Elections

Paulsen was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1994 and served seven terms before announcing his bid for United States Congress in Minnesota's Third District in January 2008.[3]

[edit] Committee assignments

Paulsen served as Majority Leader from 2002–2006 and served on the Commerce and Labor, Rules and Legislative Administration, Taxes and Ways and Means committees.[3]

[edit] U.S. House of Representatives

[edit] Elections

2008
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2008#District 3

Paulsen won a three-way race for Minnesota's Third Congressional District in November 2008.[4] His U.S. House candidacy was announced after the incumbent, Jim Ramstad (a Republican), announced his retirement in 2007, which gave an opportunity for both major parties to field potential candidates. Shortly after he announced his retirement, Congressman Ramstad endorsed Paulsen and served as the Chairman of Paulsen's Steering Committee.[5] Paulsen was a speaker at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Paulsen won the election with 48.48% compared to Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee Ashwin Madia's 40.85%, with Independence Party of Minnesota candidate David Dillon pulling 10.56%. While not achieving an absolute majority, Paulsen defeated Madia by about 30,000 votes.[6]

2010

Paulson won re-election with 59% of the vote against Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party challenger Jim Meffert.[7]

During the race, Meffert filed a complaint with the United States House Committee on Ethics claiming that Paulsen distributed a deliberately misleading mailing to his constituents using the franking privilege afforded to House members. The committee has yet to act upon the complaint.[8]

[edit] Committee assignments

Paulsen is a member of the Committee on Financial Services, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, the Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. He is a member of the centrist Republican Main Street Partnership.

[edit] Political positions

 This article is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this article to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (May 2010)

Paulsen supports continuing Bush-era tax cuts and global free trade agreements.[9]

Paulsen opposes a public health care option, saying it would represent a "government takeover" of health care. Instead, he supported a Republican alternative plan.[10] At a April 7, 2010, GOP rally in Minneapolis, Paulsen described the recently enacted health care reform law as a "government takeover of health care," a claim that Minnesota Public Radio states "isn't correct." [11]

Paulsen has called for an end to Minnesota's ban on building nuclear power plants, saying that "trying to meet our energy needs without using nuclear energy is a little bit like trying to row a boat with one oar."[12][13]

Paulsen voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act (2009), an effort to curb emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.[14]

Paulsen voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,[15] citing its high cost to current and future taxpayers.[citation needed]

Paulsen voted against The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009.[16]

Paulsen voted against a bill repealing the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy in favor of allowing individuals who have openly acknowledged their homosexuality to serve.[17] He voted against several employment discrimination law amendments in 2009, as well as a bill that would have, among other intentions, expanded the definition of hate crimes to include “felonies motivated by prejudice based on national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity of the victim.” [18] However, he is in favor of increased support for local crime-fighting organizations and police forces, and voted in support of required background checks for school athletic coaches.[19]

Paulsen voted repeatedly in 2010 against extending benefits to unemployed Americans.[20]

Paulsen opposed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act intended to prevent pay discrimination against women.[21]

Paulsen has voted multiple times in favor of prohibiting public or federal funding for abortion services. He voted for the Seifert Amendment, which, though rejected, worked to prohibit grants for groups associated with clinics and other establishments that provide abortions.[19]

Paulsen opposed two proposed smoking bans in 2007.[19]

Paulsen voted against a resolution telling the president to remove troops and armed forces from Pakistan.[19]

Paulsen introduced the Text a Tip Act to the House in 2010. This bipartisan legislation would allow users to send tips about crimes to a third party, which would remove all identifying information about the user before forwarding the message to the police.[22] The act is currently being reviewed by the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.[23]

Paulsen cosponsored a draft of the Small Business Assistance and Relief Act in 2010, to provide increased lending and aid for small businesses and ease their financial encumbrances.[24][25]

Paulsen voted against a bill to fund medical treatment for 9/11 first responders and victims.[26]

Paulsen voted against the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeat Act, a bill that passed both houses of Congress with bipartisan support and was signed into law allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.[27]

Paulsen voted in favor of the Federal budget plan for fiscal 2012 that, among other provisions, provided for substantial overhaul of the Medicare program including replacement of the traditional program with vouchers for private health insurance coverage for Americans currently under age 55.[28]

[edit] Personal life

The Paulsens had four daughters as of 2008,[29] Cassie, Briana, Tayler, and Liesl,[30] and have a district residence in Eden Prairie. Paulsen coaches his daughters' soccer teams, and teaches Sunday School (he is a member of the Victory Lutheran Church). In his community, Paulsen serves as a Board Trustee of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and as a board member of the Eden Prairie A Brighter Day Foundation, Habitat for Global Learning, Habitat for Technology and the Southdale YMCA. He is a member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers for Learning Exchange.[31]

Fellowships, honors, and recognitions

Paulsen has participated in the inaugural two-year class of the Aspen Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, the German Marshall Memorial Fellowship, the Young Leaders Forum of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and the American Council of Young Political Leaders.[30] He has been granted a Aspen Institute Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, and a Marshall Memorial Fellowship from the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "MN House Seat 42B Race - Nov 08, 1994". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=432216. Retrieved 2010-10-25. 
  2. ^ Minnesota Legislative Library for Erik Paulsen
  3. ^ a b Duchschere, Kevin (January 27, 2008). "Ramstad protégé Paulsen announces House bid". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/south/14473002.html. 
  4. ^ Brunswick, Mark; Furst, Randy (November 5, 2008). "Paulsen triumphs over Madia for Third District seat". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/house/33872049.html. 
  5. ^ Ramstad endorses Erik Paulsen. [1][dead link]
  6. ^ Minnesota Secretary of State
  7. ^ "State Results - Election Center 2010 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/results/state/#MN. 
  8. ^ Wallbank, Derek (April 28, 2011). "No Comment: The story of an ethics complaint and what didn't happen next". MinnPost. http://www.minnpost.com/derekwallbank/2011/04/28/27809/no_comment_the_story_of_an_ethics_complaint_and_what_didnt_happen_next. .
  9. ^ Black, Eric. Erik Paulsen on tax cuts: inflammatory and misleading. Minn Post. 15 October 2008.
  10. ^ "Minnesota delegation's positions on health care plans". MinnPost. 2009-06-30. http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/06/30/9908/minnesota_delegations_positions_on_health_care_plans. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  11. ^ "Fact-checking yesterday's political rallies | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ". Minnesota.publicradio.org. 2010-04-08. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/04/07/palin-bachmann-rally-fact-check/. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  12. ^ Walz, Paulsen Tout Nuclear Power. KEYC News. 24 November 2009.
  13. ^ Bakst, Brian. Effort to Scrap Anti-Nuclear Law in Minn. Ramps Up. Associated Press. 24 November 2009.
  14. ^ HR 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  15. ^ Appropriations, Tax Law Amendments, and Unemployment Benefit Amendments ("Stimulus Bill") Project Vote Smart.
  16. ^ The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  17. ^ Roll Call 317 Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  18. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=26244&can_id=3833
  19. ^ a b c d http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=3833
  20. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Paulsen on HR 4213 - Unemployment Benefits Extension and Tax Law Amendments". Votesmart.org. http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=30588&can_id=3833. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  21. ^ Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  22. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=590459&keyword=&phrase=&contain=
  23. ^ http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-5913
  24. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=590458&keyword=&phrase=&contain=
  25. ^ http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-5554
  26. ^ "House Vote 550 - Passes 9/11 Health Care Bill". The New York Times. http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/house/2/550. 
  27. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=32975&can_id=3833
  28. ^ http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2011-277
  29. ^ http://vote.thevoterguide.org/a-wcco08/race-detail.do?id=159619202&sfr[dead link]
  30. ^ a b http://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=98&sectiontree-2,98
  31. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Erik Paulsen - Biography". Votesmart.org. 1965-05-14. http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=3833. Retrieved 2010-11-29. 

[edit] External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Jim Ramstad		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district
2009–present		 Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Pete Olson
R-Texas		 United States Representatives by seniority
319th		 Succeeded by
Gary Peters
D-Michigan
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Tim Pawlenty		 Minnesota House Majority Leader
2003-2007		 Succeeded by
Tony Sertich
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