Erik Paulsen
Erik Philip Paulsen (born May 14, 1965) is an American businessman and politician who represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2009 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 to 2009 and as majority leader from 2003 to 2007.
Erik Paulsen | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 3rd district | |
| In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Ramstad |
| Succeeded by | Dean Phillips |
| Chair of the Joint Economic Committee | |
| In office January 11, 2018 – January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Pat Tiberi |
| Succeeded by | Mike Lee |
| Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Tim Pawlenty |
| Succeeded by | Tony Sertich |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 42B district | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Sidney Pauly |
| Succeeded by | Jenifer Loon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Erik Philip Paulsen May 14, 1965 Bakersfield, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Kelly Paulsen (m. 1993) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | St. Olaf College (BA) |
In 1994 Paulsen was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives from District 42B, which covered part of suburban Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He was reelected six times and, in addition, he was elected by his fellow house Republicans to serve as majority leader from 2003 until 2007. He won the 2008 election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota’s 3rd congressional district, which covers the western suburbs of the Twin Cities, and succeeded retiring Republican incumbent Jim Ramstad. Paulsen represented the district in Congress for five terms. He easily won reelection four times, but was defeated in his 2018 reelection bid by Democrat Dean Phillips. From 2018 until 2019, he served as chair of the Joint Economic Committee.