Elliott Engen
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elliott Engen (born October 6, 1998) is an American politician serving since 2023 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. 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 and Circle Pines, White Bear Township, and parts of Anoka and Ramsey Counties.[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 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Faith |
| Education | Hamline University (BA) |
| Website | State House website Campaign website |
Early life, education, and career
Engen 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 and their support of Donald Trump at a Turning Point USA Student Action Summit.[3][5] Engen was inspired by Charlie Kirk and modeled his debate style after his.[6]
Engen worked for a wildlife conservation group focused on invasive species prevention, but left the job before joining the legislature.[3][7]
Minnesota House of Representatives
Engen 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]
In 2025, Engen announced his candidacy for Minnesota State Auditor. His campaign launch focused on recent incidents of fraud in Minnesota.[8] The office of State Auditor is intended to be nonpartisan, but Engen ran an ad saying he would investigate his political opponents and implement a DOGE-style audit of the state.[9]
Political positions
Engen's 2022 campaign platform focused on "public safety, education, and pocketbook concerns".[7] He is anti-abortion and has said it "won't be an issue that Republicans address" due to an earlier state supreme court decision.[7] 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".[10]
In 2023, Engen authored the "Safe Haven In Every Local District (SHIELD) Act", which would require school security system improvements. [3]
During the 2024 dispute between the City of Minneapolis and Uber/Lyft, he argued that the city law helping Uber/Lyft drivers collectively bargain would lead to more expensive rides.[11][12]
In 2025, Engen voted against using the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to combat invasive species in Minnesota.[13]
During a townhall event, Engen said that he believes that conflicts between protesters and ICE agents were the fault of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.[14]
Electoral history
| 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 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Elliott Engen | 14,998 | 54.06 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Janelle Calhoun | 12,714 | 45.83 | |
| Write-in | 29 | 0.10 | ||
| Total votes | 27,741 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
Personal life
Engen lives in White Bear Township, Minnesota with his wife, Faith.[1]