Mark Douglas Olson
| Mark Douglas Olson | |
|---|---|
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| Minnesota State Representative from District 16B | |
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In office January 5, 1993 – January 7, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Knoblach (R) (Redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Mary Kiffmeyer (R) |
| Minnesota State Representative from District 19A | |
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In office January 7, 2003 – January 5, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Harold F. Lasley (DFL) (Redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Douglas Anderson (R) (Redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1, 1955 Sherburne County, Minnesota |
| Political party | Republican (until 2007), Independent Republican (since 2007) |
| Spouse(s) | Heidi Olson |
| Profession | Carpenter, Log Cabin Builder |
Mark Douglas Olson was a Minnesota state legislator representing House District 16B. First elected in 1992, he served until his term expired in January 2009. Notably, after his re-election in 2006 Olson was arrested and subsequently convicted of one of two fifth degree domestic assault charges. Olson left the legislature after failing to win a special election for a vacated State Senate seat.
Olson was born and raised on a farm in Minnesota's Sherburne County and resided in Big Lake during his tenure with the legislature. He graduated from Becker High School and received carpentry training at Wright Technical Center. He was a carpenter and log home builder for over 25 years. Olson previously served on the Monticello-Big Lake Hospital Ethics committee and was active in volunteer youth work, Boy Scouts, and as a youth camp wilderness guide. He was a volunteer for the developmentally disabled.
Olson was originally elected to serve House District 19A in 1992, defeating Rep. Bob McEachem 51% to 46%.He won re-election against Bonnie Walters in 1994 60% to 30%, in 1996 against Cliff "Kip" Wold 60% to 40% and against Greg Hansen in 1998 and 2000, 61% to 39% and 63% to 37% respectively. Upon 2002 redistricting, Olson was pitted against incumbent Rep. Leslie Schumacher (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) to represent 16B and won 56% to 41%.
In 2004 he defeated Jim Huhala 59% to 37%. Olson was re-elected to his eighth term in 2006, defeating Jim Huhtala a second time 58% (10,484) to 42% (7,538). At the end of his final term he was the 18th longest-serving member of the House, and the (4th longest-serving Republican/IR).
As a State Representative, Olson was known for his lengthy floor speeches, often speaking to several Points of Order at the same time. They often related to House Rules, Roberts Rules of Order, and Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure.
In earlier sessions, Olson was noted for authoring legislation supporting the development of a personal rapid transit system (PRT). However, Olson was a staunch critic of conventional rail transit, particularly the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which has since begun offering services from Minneapolis to his home town of Big Lake since his departure from the house.
Along with Michele Bachmann, Mark Olson sponsored The American Heritage in Public Education Act, which encourages schools to teach America's founding principles from original sources.
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