Early life and education Nelson was born on June 4, 1958, in the small town of
Rugby, North Dakota, and raised by his parents, Marlowe and Marion, on a
diversified farm northeast of Rugby. Crops on the farm included wheat,
barley, oats,
flax, and corn; and livestock consisted of
dairy cattle,
beef cattle, hogs,
mink, and
chickens. Along with his brother, Mark, and sister, MariJean, the family attended
Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby. Nelson's father served as a township treasurer and County Commissioner in
Pierce County. Nelson's parents were also both active in
Civil Defense. Nelson graduated from
Rugby High School, where he played
French horn in the band and was active in debate and
Future Farmers of America. He attended
NDSU-BBIF and transferred to
North Dakota State University, where he earned a
Bachelor of Science in
Entomology. During college, Nelson worked during the summer as an
apiary inspector for the Department of Agriculture. He attended graduate school at NDSU before becoming a crop consultant.
Career Nelson met his wife, Susan Ulwelling, in
Fargo, North Dakota. After being married, the two moved to
Rolla, North Dakota, where Nelson and several others built a
consignment shop called Clothing Connection. Nelson continues to operate the shop, in addition to working as an agricultural consultant. Nelson serves on the board of directors for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America. He has been active in both
Farmers Union and
Farm Bureau, the Agricultural Consultants of North Dakota, Northwest Landowners Association, and the Salted Lands Council.
Political career Nelson was elected to District 9 in the
North Dakota House of Representatives in 2010 and was reelected in 2014. District 9 consists of
Rolette County. Nelson has served three sessions on the Industry, Business and Labor Committee, and on the Natural Resources, Agriculture, Transportation, and Audit and Fiscal Review Committee. During the Interim, he has served on the Health Care Reform, Taxation, Health Services, Water Topics, and Tribal and State Relations Committees. He currently serves as chairman for Tribal and State Relations. Nelson has been elected to
Legislative Management for two sessions, and also serves on the House Rules Committee. He has been appointed to the Crop Protection Product Harmonization and Registration Board.
Candidacy for Governor On March 16, 2016, Nelson launched his campaign to become the
Governor of North Dakota. Nelson ran unopposed during the primary and became the nominee of the
Democratic-Nonpartisan League. Nelson faced the Republican nominee,
Doug Burgum, in the
North Dakota gubernatorial election. Nelson was defeated by Burgum on November 8. ==References==