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Gerlach, Chris

Sessions Served  red ball graphic  Other Information

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Map of Apple Valley
Apple Valley, MN

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 Date of Death: 
Birth Place: Apple Valley, Minnesota Birth County: Dakota Birth Country: United States
Other Names:
Gender:  Male Religion:  Covenant
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

MilitaryUnited States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol ??/??/1978 to ??/??/20??
MilitaryUnited 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/CommissionerDakota County, Minnesota (County Commissioner) ??/??/2013 to ??/??/????

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.

Legislative Session: 87th (2011-2012)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/2/2010 Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
District: 37 Residence: Apple Valley
Counties Represented: Dakota
Occupation: Self-Employed, Real Estate
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Capital Investment
Commerce and Consumer Protection (Chair)
Environment and Natural Resources
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Redistricting
Leadership Position: Majority Whip
Leadership Notes: He resigned from this position on December 27, 2011.
Legislative Session: 86th (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/2006 Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
District: 37 Residence: Apple Valley
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 Subcommittee: E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Subcommittee: Elections
Legislative Session: 85th (2007-2008)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/2006 Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
District: 37 Residence: Apple Valley
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 Subcommittee: E-12 Education Budget Division
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Subcommittee: Elections
Legislative Session: 84th (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 7/13/2004 Term of Office: 7/21/2004 to 1/2/2007 (Special Election)
District: 37 Residence: Apple Valley
Counties Represented: Dakota
Occupation: Self-Employed, Real Estate
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Capital Investment
Finance
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Energy
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Housing
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 83rd (2003-2004)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 7/13/2004 Term of Office: 7/21/2004 to 1/2/2007 (Special Election)
District: 37 Residence: Apple Valley
Counties Represented: Dakota
Occupation: Self-Employed, Real Estate
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Legislative Session: 83rd (2003-2004)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 7/21/2004 (unfinished term)
District: 37A Residence: Apple Valley
Counties Represented: Dakota
Occupation: Self-Employed/Sales
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Capital Investment
Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development
Jobs and Economic Development Finance
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.
Legislative Session: 82nd (2001-2002)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/7/2000 Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
District: 36A Residence: Apple Valley
Counties Represented: Dakota
Occupation: Sales
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development
Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Regulated Industries
Rules and Legislative Administration
Legislative Session: 81st (1999-2000)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/3/1998 Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
District: 36A Residence: Apple Valley
Counties Represented: Dakota
Occupation: Small Business Owner, Telecommunications Sales Representative
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Commerce
Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy
State Government Finance

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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