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    Gerlach, Chris

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1999-2002 (District 36A); House 2003-2004 (District 37A); Senate 2004-2012 (District 37)

    Party when first elected:  Republican

    Counties Served:  Dakota

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 11/17/1964
    Birth Place: Apple Valley, Minnesota
    Birth County: Dakota
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Covenant
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Apple Valley
    Occupation (when first elected): Small Business Owner, Telecommunications Sales Representative

    EDUCATION

    Apple Valley High School; Secondary;
    University of St. Thomas; B.A.; Political Science
    University of South Dakota; M.B.A.; Business

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Military: United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol; 1978 to 20??
    Military: United States Air Force (Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Crew Commander, Catain, Lieutenant; College Reserve Officer Training Corps); 1988 to 1993
    County Board/Commissioner: Dakota County, Minnesota (County Commissioner); 2013 to 2020

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Shelli
    Children: Two children: Erica (daughter), Garret (son)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    Special Legislative Concerns: tax relief, less government spending, education reform, public safety.

    Religion provided by Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1999-2000.

    Most recent term photo
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    Total Days Served: 5117

    SESSIONS SERVED

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 37
    Elected: 11/2/2010
    Residence: Apple Valley
    Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Self-Employed, Real Estate
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2011 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Capital Investment
    • Commerce and Consumer Protection (Chair)
    • Environment and Natural Resources
    • Rules and Administration
    • Rules and Administration: Redistricting
    Leadership Position: Majority Whip
    Leadership Notes: He resigned from this position on December 27, 2011.
    term photo
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    86th Legislative Session (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 37
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Apple Valley
    Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Self-Employed, Real Estate
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Business, Industry and Jobs
    • Capital Investment
    • Commerce and Consumer Protection
    • Education
    • Finance: E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
    • State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
    • State and Local Government Operations and Oversight: Elections
    term photo
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    85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 37
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Apple Valley
    Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Self-Employed, Real Estate
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Business, Industry and Jobs
    • Capital Investment
    • Commerce and Consumer Protection
    • Finance: E-12 Education Budget Division
    • State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
    • State and Local Government Operations and Oversight: Elections
    term photo
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    84th Legislative Session (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 37
    Elected: 7/13/2004
    Residence: Apple Valley
    Term of Office: 7/21/2004 to 1/2/2007 (Special Election)
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Self-Employed, Real Estate
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Capital Investment
    • Finance
    • Jobs, Energy and Community Development
    • Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy
    • Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
    Session Notes: He won the Senate special election held due to the resignation of David Knutson. He took office on July 21, 2004.
    term photo
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    83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 37
    Elected: 7/13/2004
    Residence: Apple Valley
    Term of Office: 7/21/2004 to 1/2/2007 (Special Election)
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Self-Employed, Real Estate
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    Session Notes: He won the Senate special election held due to the resignation of David Knutson. He took office on July 21, 2004.

    83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 37A
    Elected: 11/5/2002
    Residence: Apple Valley
    Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 7/20/2004 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Self-Employed/Sales
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Capital Investment Minutes
    • Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Minutes
    • Jobs and Economic Development Finance Minutes
    Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Whip
    Reason for unfinished term: Elected to other office
    Session Notes: He won the special election to Senate District 37 in July 2004. No special election was held for this House seat.
    term photo
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    82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 36A
    Elected: 11/7/2000
    Residence: Apple Valley
    Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Sales
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2001 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Minutes
    • Jobs and Economic Development Finance Minutes
    • Regulated Industries Minutes
    • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
    term photo
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    81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 36A
    Elected: 11/3/1998
    Residence: Apple Valley
    Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Small Business Owner, Telecommunications Sales Representative
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce Minutes
    • Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Minutes
    • State Government Finance Minutes

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    Martin, Grant. "Gerlach Hammers Home Plan to Give Taxes the Ax." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 12, 1999, p. 21.



    The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

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