Carla Nelson
Minnesota State Senator, District 24 since 2010. Did not run for re-election in 2026; leaves office in January 2027.
- In office
- 16 yrs
- Since 2010
- Votes missed
- 0.0%
- Chamber median 0.0%
- With party
- 61%
- On votes splitting the parties
- Last margin
- +15.0
- Won 2022
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Committees
As of 2026-10.
- Capital Investment
- Jobs and Economic Development
- Taxes
- Transportation
Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Voting record
Where Nelson sits in the Minnesota State Senate
Nelson is closer to the center than 94% of the chamber's Republicans.
Closest: Julia Coleman, Karin Housley, Jeremy Miller
Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:53 PM ET
With Nelson’s party
- Votes with the chamber's Republicans61%
Black tick: the average of Republicans in the Minnesota State Senate.
Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships
Key votes
Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Nelson’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Republicans.
| Date | Bill | Nelson | Rep. majority | Dem. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2026 | HF 2484: Bonding bill; spending authorized to acquire and better land and buildings and for other… | No | No | Yes | Passed 50–17 |
| May 17, 2026 | SF 2077: Omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy and Lands bill | Yes | No | Yes | Passed 41–26 |
| May 17, 2026 | SF 4612: Omnibus Health and Human Services supplemental appropriations | Yes | No | Yes | Passed 35–32 |
| May 17, 2026 | SF 4401: Omnibus Cannabis bill | Yes | No | Yes | Passed 35–32 |
| May 16, 2026 | HF 3900: Permanent school fund investment, management, and distribution policy modified; and… | No | No | Yes | Passed 38–29 |
Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls
Career
Offices held, and every time Nelson was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.
Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Elections
Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.
| Year | Race | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Minnesota State Senate, District 24 | Won | R+15.0 |
| 2020 | Minnesota State Senate, District 26 | Won | R+1.9 |
| 2016 | Minnesota State Senate, District 26 | Won | R+12.0 |
| 2012 | Minnesota State Senate, District 26 | Won | R+11.4 |
| 2010 | Minnesota State Senate, District 30 | Won | R+8.8 |
| 2006 | Minnesota House of Representatives, District 30A | Lost | D+5.7 |
| 2004 | Minnesota House of Representatives, District 30A | Lost | D+1.6 |
| 2002 | Minnesota House of Representatives, District 30A | Won | R+6.6 |
Source: 99chambers results archive
Seats Nelson has held
- Minnesota State Senate, District 24 · since 2022
- Minnesota State Senate, District 26 · since 2012
- Minnesota State Senate, District 30 · since 2010
- Minnesota House of Representatives, District 30A · 2002–2004
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Nelson has run against
- Aleta Borrud (D) · 2022 general, won
- Aleta Borrud (D) · 2020 general, won
- Rich Wright (D) · 2016 general, won
- Kenneth R. Moen (D) · 2012 general, won
- Ann Lynch (D) · 2010 general, won
- Tina Liebling (D) · 2006 general, lost
Source: 99chambers results archive
How we know Nelson
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Open States ocd-person/69ac712d-4de2-448a-8b84-ef07b4c4e423
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET