Elliott Engen (born October 6, 1998) is an American politician serving since 2023 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Engen represents District 36A in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Lino Lakes and Circle Pines, White Bear Township, and parts of Anoka and Ramsey Counties.[1][2]
Early life, education, and career
Engen attended White Bear High School in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He earned a bachelor’s degree in legal studies and political science from Hamline University.[1]
While attending Hamline, Engen started a chapter of the right-wing student organization Turning Point USA.[3][4] Iowa state representative Joe Mitchell encouraged Engen run for office while the two were discussing policy and their support of Donald Trump at a Turning Point USA Student Action Summit.[3][5] Engen was inspired by and modeled his debate style after Charlie Kirk.[6]
Engen worked for a wildlife conservation group focused on invasive species prevention, but left the job before joining the legislature.[3][7]
Minnesota House of Representatives
Engen was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022. He first ran in 2020, challenging one-term DFL incumbent Ami Wazlawik and losing by 100 votes. He ran again and won in 2022 in an open seat created by legislative redistricting and Wazlawik’s retirement.[1] He is the first Generation Z Republican elected to the Minnesota Legislature.[3]
Engen serves as an assistant minority leader for the House Republican caucus and sits on the Human Services Policy, Public Safety Finance and Policy, and Rules and Legislative Administration Committees.[1]
In 2025, Engen announced his candidacy for Minnesota State Auditor. His campaign launch focused on recent incidents of fraud in Minnesota.[8] The office of State Auditor is intended to be nonpartisan, but Engen ran an ad saying he would investigate his political opponents and implement a DOGE-style audit of the state.[9] On June 3, 2026, after an ethics controversy over a recent DWI arrest, Engen ended his bid for state auditor, opting to instead file for reelection to the Minnesota House of Representatives.[10]
In 2026, Engen and the other Minnesota House Republicans blocked a vote on a package of bills that would ban assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, ghost guns (weapons with no serial number), and anonymous threat reporting. The bills also set aside money for school safety and mental health programs. During the debate on these bills, Engen accused Representative Aisha Gomez of telling him on the House floor to shoot himself. Video later emerged showing that Gomez had not said that, but rather “think of them, not yourself, how about that?” in reference to the parents of two children killed in the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting. Engen nevertheless demanded that Gomez face consequences for their verbal dispute.[11][12]
Political positions
Engen’s 2022 campaign platform focused on “public safety, education, and pocketbook concerns”.[7] He is anti-abortion and has said it “won’t be an issue that Republicans address” due to an earlier state supreme court decision.[7] Engen has voted against legislation that codified the right to an abortion into state law, and a law to restore voting rights for felons serving parole.[3] He opposed a move to raise legislators’ per diem payments, calling it “self-centered” and “egregious”.[13]
In 2023, Engen authored the “Safe Haven In Every Local District (SHIELD) Act”, which would require school security system improvements. [3]
During the 2024 dispute between the City of Minneapolis and Uber/Lyft, he argued that the city law helping Uber/Lyft drivers collectively bargain would lead to more expensive rides.[14][15]
In 2025, Engen voted against using the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to combat invasive species in Minnesota.[16]
During a townhall event, Engen said that he believes that conflicts between protesters and ICE agents were the fault of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.[17]
Personal life
Engen lives in White Bear Township, Minnesota with his wife, Faith.[1]
On March 27, 2026, during his campaign for state auditor, Engen was arrested by the White Bear Lake Police Department on suspicion of DWI[18][19] after being stopped for observed traffic violations that included speeding, expired registration, and an inoperable headlight. In the car with Engen was his fellow state representative Walter Hudson, who was intoxicated with a loaded firearm and a bottle of alcohol in a child’s car seat.[20] Engen was booked into the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center and released on a pending charge of fourth-degree DWI after a breathalyzer test indicated a blood alcohol level of 0.142%, above the 0.08% legal limit. House Speaker Lisa Demuth expressed disappointment in Engen and said further political consequences were possible pending the legal process.[21][22][23] The state DFL later filed an ethics complaint against Engen and Hudson, who were seen drinking alcohol 12 hours before the arrest while skipping their committee meetings.[24]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Ami Wazlawik (incumbent) | 13,906 | 50.12 | |
| Republican | Elliott Engen | 13,806 | 49.76 | |
| Write-in | 32 | 0.12 | ||
| Total votes | 27,744 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Elliott Engen | 11,705 | 51.39 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Susie Strom | 11,063 | 48.57 | |
| Write-in | 10 | 0.04 | ||
| Total votes | 22,778 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Elliott Engen | 14,998 | 54.06 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Janelle Calhoun | 12,714 | 45.83 | |
| Write-in | 29 | 0.10 | ||
| Total votes | 27,741 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
References
- ^ a b c d e “Engen, Elliot – Legislator Record – Minnesota Legislators Past & Present”. www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- ^ “Rep. Elliott Engen (36A) – Minnesota House of Representatives”. www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- ^ a b c d e f Gerezgiher, Feven (2023-03-20). “Meet the first Gen Z Republican elected to the Minnesota Legislature”. MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ Holm, Kelly (November 30, 2019). “Turning Point USA sets up shop”. The Hamline Oracle. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ The Jon Justice Show. Hour 2: Fraud baked in the cake – Elliot Engen joins. The Jon Justice Show. Retrieved from https://podcasts.apple.com/ga/podcast/hour-2-fraud-baked-in-the-cake-elliot-engen-joins/id1601527521?i=1000733701942
- ^ Star Tribune. (2025, November 13). Charlie Kirk assassination Minnesota university legacy. Retrieved from https://www.startribune.com/charlie-kirk-assassination-minnesota-university-legacy/601478245.
- ^ a b c Bakst, Brian (2022-09-15). “One-party rule or divided Capitol again? Voters to decide”. MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ KSTP. “Republican Representative Engen Announces Bid for Minnesota Auditor.” KSTP News, 2024, https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/republican-representative-engen-announces-bid-for-minnesota-auditor/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
- ^ Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. “DFL Party Statement on Elliott Engen’s Run for State Auditor.” DFL, 2024, https://dfl.org/dfl-party-statement-on-elliott-engens-run-for-state-auditor/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
- ^ Longworth, Nick (June 3, 2026). “Rep. Engen drops ‘financial watchdog’ state auditor bid, files MN House reelection”. Fox 9 Minneapolis/St. Paul. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ^ Leingang, Rachel. “Minnesota Democratic lawmakers stage sit-in over gun violence protection bill.” The Guardian, May 15, 2026.
- ^ Kelly, Brianna. “Minnesota Democrats stage overnight sit-in on House floor over gun reform legislation.” Bring Me The News, May 15, 2026.
- ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (June 8, 2023). “Higher daily expense payments, salaries on tap for Minnesota legislators”. Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ Break Break Podcast. (n.d.). A break down with Rep. Elliott Engen on his solution to the Uber/Lyft controversy. Break Break Podcast. https://bbbreakpod.com/episode/a-break-down-with-rep-elliott-engen-on-his-solution-to-the-uber-lyft-controversy
- ^ Minnesota House of Representatives. (2024, February 29). Engen bill aims to protect rideshare drivers and passengers. Minnesota House of Representatives News. https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/news/15602/51214
- ^ Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Official Website. https://www.lccmr.mn.gov/.
- ^ CNN Staff. (2026, January 28). Minneapolis ICE live updates. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/minneapolis-ice-trump-01-28-26
- ^ “Minnesota GOP legislator, auditor candidate arrested on suspicion of DWI • Minnesota Reformer”. Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- ^ “Minnesota GOP Rep. Elliott Engen arrested on suspicion of DWI – CBS Minnesota”. www.cbsnews.com. 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- ^ Griffith, M. (2026, March 30). Police scanner indicates Engen had a passenger who was drunk, armed. Minnesota Reformer. https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/police-scanner-indicates-engen-had-a-passenger-who-was-drunk-armed/
- ^ Turtinen, M. (2026, March 27). Minnesota representative arrested on suspicion of DWI. FOX 9 Minneapolis–St. Paul. https://www.fox9.com/news/elliot-engen-dwi-arrest
- ^ Derosier, A. (2026, March 27). Lino Lakes state representative arrested for DWI. Twin Cities Pioneer Press. https://www.twincities.com/2026/03/27/lino-lakes-state-representative-arrested-for-dwi/
- ^ Minor, Nathaniel (March 27, 2026). “Suburban legislator, state auditor candidate arrested for DWI”. The Minnesota Star Tribune. Minneapolis.
State Rep. Elliott Engen was arrested by White Bear Lake police and booked into the jail early on Friday.
- ^ Bring Me The News. GOP leader to remove Reps. Engen, Hudson from committees after DWI incident. Bring Me The News, Minnesota News section. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/gop-leader-to-remove-reps-engen-hudson-from-committees-after-dwi-incident
- ^ “2020 Results for State Representative District 38B”. Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ “2022 Results for State Representative District 36A”. Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ “Results for State Representative District 36A”. Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.