Mark Douglas Olson
Encyclopedia
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.
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, was an active in volunteer youth work, Boy Scouts, and as a youth camp wilderness guide. He was a volunteer for the developmentally disabled. His Favorite activities include Rock Climbing, Whitewater Canoeing.
Upon 2002 redistricting Olson was pitted against incumbent Rep. Leslie Schumacher 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).
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During the 2007-2008 session, Olsen served on the following committees: Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections; K-12 Finance Division; Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs; Veterans Affairs Division. Olson received his first and only Committee Chairmanship in the Local Government Committee in 2005-2006.
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.
In 1997 allegations were made that he was abusive to his staff. Olson denied them and no charges were filed, however he attended two counseling sessions with Rep. Steve Sviggum, then Republican leader in the House.
During his time with the legislature Olson was routinely received high marks on the Taxpayer's League of Minnesota annual score card, and received the fiscally conservative groups "Best friend of the Taxpayer" award Five times for perfect scores. He also frequently scored high on the Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota (LEA) score card which "bases its evaluation on the traditional American principles of constitutionalism, limited government, free enterprise, legal and moral order with justice and individual liberty and dignity." Olson received perfect scores during his final year in office. He was also known for being very pro-life.
On December 7, 2006, Minnesota House Republicans voted to suspend Olson from their caucus, meaning that the caucus would not supply him with staff support or other services. Republican leaders stated they would ask for Olson's resignation if he was convicted. Olson continued to serve his term as a self identified "Independent Republican" caucus of one and was allotted a session only staff member by House Leadership for the duration of the 2007 and 2008 sessions.
Olson was convicted of domestic assault by intending to cause fear of bodily harm against his wife. He was acquitted of the more serious charge of intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm. Olson publicly commented on the verdict by saying "I don't believe I had any intent to cause fear, but anger can cause fear and I did get angry." The Republican members voted to officially expel him from their caucus in early December 2007. He then publicly asked the legislature for forgiveness during a house floor session. Despite his troubles Olson considers last legislative session one of the most productive he has had in his legislative career.
instead of Olson. Olson considered re-election anyway, however he ended up not filing to run, leaving Kiffmeyer as the Republican candidate to face and ultimately defeat DFL-endorsed Steve Andrews in the election. In a surprising turn of events, it was announced during the week long filing period for the House that Senate District 16 Senator Betsy Wergin (R-Princeton) would be appointed by Governor Pawlenty to be Public Utilities Commissioner and would be resigning her seat. This created a Special Election which Olson and Republican Activist Allison Krueger both filed for. After successfully defeating Krueger for the endorsement of local Republicans, elected Republican members of the State Senate and U.S. Senator Norm Coleman publicly criticized the endorsement. Senate Caucus members organized support for Krueger in the State's Primary, who because of the timing of the Special Election's filing period, was still on the primary ballot with out an opportunity to withdraw. Olson was defeated in the primary by Krueger 46% (1518) to 54% (1771). After the primary local delegates again convinced to reassess their endorsement and voted 61-18 on the first ballot to re-endorse Olson over Alison Krueger as a write in candidate. In the General election Olson received 3.2% (1462) to Krueger's 48.1% (22271). DFL candidate Lisa Fobbe received 48.3% (22356) and won the election. Olson's turnout was greater than the margin of Kureger's defeat.
During Minnesota's 2008 recounts there were reports of Olson's name being either intentionally or erroneously written in to the write-in sections for other races, including the U.S. Senate Race where Al Franken (D) narrowly defeated Norm Coleman (R), and House District 16A where incumbent Sondra Erickson (R) was also narrowly defeated.
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
state legislator
Minnesota Legislature
The Minnesota Legislature is the legislative branch of government in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is a bicameral legislature located at the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul and it consists of two houses: the lower Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate...
representing House District
Minnesota House of Representatives
The Minnesota House of Representatives is the lower house in the Minnesota State Legislature. There are 134 members elected to two-year terms, twice the number of members in the Minnesota Senate. Each senate district is divided in half and given the suffix A or B...
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.
Personal
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 SchoolBecker High School
Becker High School is located in Minnesota Public School District 726 in Becker, MN. Becker High School provides education for grades 9-12 and has an enrollment of approximately 800 students....
and received Carpentry Training at Wright Technical Center. He was a Carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
and Log Home builder for over 25 years. Olson previously served on the Monticello-Big Lake Hospital Ethics committee, was an active in volunteer youth work, Boy Scouts, and as a youth camp wilderness guide. He was a volunteer for the developmentally disabled. His Favorite activities include Rock Climbing, Whitewater Canoeing.
Election record
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 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).
Legislative record
As a State Representative, Olson was known for his lengthy floor speeches, often making and speaking to several Points of Order relating to House Rules, Roberts Rules of Order, and Mason's Manual of Legislative ProcedureMason's Manual of Legislative Procedure
Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure, commonly referred to as Mason's Manual. This 700+ page book serves as the official parliamentary manual of most state legislative bodies in the United States. "Adopted as the authority on questions of parliamentary law and procedure in California, it is to...
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During the 2007-2008 session, Olsen served on the following committees: Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections; K-12 Finance Division; Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs; Veterans Affairs Division. Olson received his first and only Committee Chairmanship in the Local Government Committee in 2005-2006.
In earlier sessions, Olson was noted for authoring legislation supporting the development of a personal rapid transit
Personal rapid transit
Personal rapid transit , also called podcar, is a public transportation mode featuring small automated vehicles operating on a network of specially built guide ways...
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
Michele Bachmann
Michele Marie Bachmann is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing , a post she has held since 2007. The district includes several of the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, such as Woodbury, and Blaine as well as Stillwater and St. Cloud.She is currently a...
, Mark Olson sponsored The American Heritage in Public Education Act, which encourages schools to teach America's founding principles from original sources.
In 1997 allegations were made that he was abusive to his staff. Olson denied them and no charges were filed, however he attended two counseling sessions with Rep. Steve Sviggum, then Republican leader in the House.
During his time with the legislature Olson was routinely received high marks on the Taxpayer's League of Minnesota annual score card, and received the fiscally conservative groups "Best friend of the Taxpayer" award Five times for perfect scores. He also frequently scored high on the Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota (LEA) score card which "bases its evaluation on the traditional American principles of constitutionalism, limited government, free enterprise, legal and moral order with justice and individual liberty and dignity." Olson received perfect scores during his final year in office. He was also known for being very pro-life.
Arrest for domestic assault
On November 11, 2006, days after winning re-election Olson was arrested in Blaine after police were called to his Big Lake home. According to the criminal complaint, Olson’s wife Heidi told investigators that after an argument Olson pushed her to the ground three times. Olson later admitted to having taken his wife by the shoulders and "placing" her on the ground, according to the police report. After spending two nights in jail, Olson was charged with two misdemeanor counts of fifth degree domestic assault.On December 7, 2006, Minnesota House Republicans voted to suspend Olson from their caucus, meaning that the caucus would not supply him with staff support or other services. Republican leaders stated they would ask for Olson's resignation if he was convicted. Olson continued to serve his term as a self identified "Independent Republican" caucus of one and was allotted a session only staff member by House Leadership for the duration of the 2007 and 2008 sessions.
Olson was convicted of domestic assault by intending to cause fear of bodily harm against his wife. He was acquitted of the more serious charge of intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm. Olson publicly commented on the verdict by saying "I don't believe I had any intent to cause fear, but anger can cause fear and I did get angry." The Republican members voted to officially expel him from their caucus in early December 2007. He then publicly asked the legislature for forgiveness during a house floor session. Despite his troubles Olson considers last legislative session one of the most productive he has had in his legislative career.
2008 Campaign
In 2008, the Republican Party in District 16B chose to give its endorsement to former Secretary of State Mary KiffmeyerMary Kiffmeyer
Mary Kiffmeyer is an American politician who served as the 20th Minnesota Secretary of State from 1999 to 2007.She was subsequently elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008, and currently represents District 16B....
instead of Olson. Olson considered re-election anyway, however he ended up not filing to run, leaving Kiffmeyer as the Republican candidate to face and ultimately defeat DFL-endorsed Steve Andrews in the election. In a surprising turn of events, it was announced during the week long filing period for the House that Senate District 16 Senator Betsy Wergin (R-Princeton) would be appointed by Governor Pawlenty to be Public Utilities Commissioner and would be resigning her seat. This created a Special Election which Olson and Republican Activist Allison Krueger both filed for. After successfully defeating Krueger for the endorsement of local Republicans, elected Republican members of the State Senate and U.S. Senator Norm Coleman publicly criticized the endorsement. Senate Caucus members organized support for Krueger in the State's Primary, who because of the timing of the Special Election's filing period, was still on the primary ballot with out an opportunity to withdraw. Olson was defeated in the primary by Krueger 46% (1518) to 54% (1771). After the primary local delegates again convinced to reassess their endorsement and voted 61-18 on the first ballot to re-endorse Olson over Alison Krueger as a write in candidate. In the General election Olson received 3.2% (1462) to Krueger's 48.1% (22271). DFL candidate Lisa Fobbe received 48.3% (22356) and won the election. Olson's turnout was greater than the margin of Kureger's defeat.
During Minnesota's 2008 recounts there were reports of Olson's name being either intentionally or erroneously written in to the write-in sections for other races, including the U.S. Senate Race where Al Franken (D) narrowly defeated Norm Coleman (R), and House District 16A where incumbent Sondra Erickson (R) was also narrowly defeated.