Gerlach, Chris
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Committees:
Session Notes:
He won the Senate special election held due to the resignation of David Knutson. He took office on July 21, 2004.
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
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.
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
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
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
Committees:
-
Commerce
Minutes
-
Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy
Minutes
-
State Government Finance
Minutes