Christensen eager to serve public again on Scott County Commission
Former state legislator running for District 5 seat in August 11 non-partisan election
Former Minnesota state legislator Drew Christensen wants to serve the public, this time as a Scott County Commissioner.
Christensen is seeking the District 5 commission seat currently occupied by retiring Commissioner Jon Ulrich in the August 11 non-partisan election. Also running for the seat are Bob Coughlen, Christine Kelly and Gabriella Kroetch.
“I was raised in Savage,” Christensen says on his campaign website. “I’ve served this community. We’re raising our kids here. Now I’m running for Scott County Commissioner to keep our community a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
A graduate of Prior Lake High School and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Christensen earned the Eagle Scout rank as a teen. He was appointed by the Savage City Council to the Savage Advisory Communications Commission in 2012. After the completion of his three-year volunteer term, he was elected in 2014 to represent Savage as one of the youngest members of the Minnesota House of Representatives in state history.
During his time in the Legislature, Christensen helped secure the largest tax relief package for Minnesota families in history, helped secure strong funding for schools and worked to ensure every Minnesota student has an excellent teacher.
After being re-elected in 2016, Christensen secured funding for a new 35W bridge over the Minnesota River as well as funding for a partnership with Scott County and the City of Savage to open a mental health treatment center.
“Public service has always been important to me,” Christensen says on his X (formerly Twitter) page. “From an early age, I felt a responsibility – drawn from the generations before me – that it was a duty to ‘get involved.’
“America has always been a nation of people who step forward and serve ideas greater than themselves.”
He says service is core to his being.
“From the Minnesota House to the Savage Planning Commission, I’ve focused on doing the work and delivering results – supporting law enforcement, improving schools, investing in infrastructure and making government more efficient and effective,” he says. “Savage was an incredible place to grow up. It’s an incredible place to raise a family. And I want to make sure it stays that way for the next generation.”
Christensen says Scott County needs “steady, practical leadership.”
“I’ve been in those rooms, made tough decisions and earned the trust of voters here before,” he says. “I’m ready to do it again.”
Since leaving the Legislature in 2019, Christensen says he has built his career and his family while staying involved in the community. He works as an executive for a national, utility-scale clean power producer.
He also has served as a member of the Savage Planning Commission since 2019, a member of the Savage Rotary Club since 2018, a volunteer youth sports coach and is active in his church.
Christensen is being endorsed not only by outgoing Commissioner Ulrich, but also by the Private Property Rights Institute.
“At a time when the rights of private property owners is increasingly the target of government — through increased regulations, taxes, and red tape — there is perhaps no one better suited to lead Scott County than Drew Christensen,” PPI Chairman Charlie Kolean said.
According to his campaign website, there are three key messages of Christensen’s campaign.
First is to keep Scott County safe and strengthen mental health services. He says public safety is government’s first responsibility.
“I will be a strong supporter of law enforcement, firefighters and first responders who keep our communities safe every day,” Christensen says. “I also believe mental health resources are a critical component of public safety.
“During my time in the Legislature, I successfully worked to secure funding that helped make a new mental health treatment center in Savage a reality – an investment that continues to benefit families across our region.
“I will continue supporting practical solutions that improve access to care, reduce strain on emergency services and ensure Scott County remains a safe and healthy place to raise a family.”
Second, Christensen says he will deliver accountable and efficient government, adding that taxpayers deserve a county government that is transparent, accountable and focused on results.
“I will prioritize responsible budgeting, efficient operations and long-term planning that respects taxpayer dollars,” he says. “My experience in both government and the private sector has taught me the importance of setting priorities, measuring outcomes and making sure every dollar spent delivers value to residents.
“County government should focus on doing the basics exceptionally well.”
And third, Christensen wants to build a strong future for the county.
“Scott County has tremendous opportunities ahead, but success requires thoughtful leadership and long-term thinking,” he says. “I will focus on maintaining infrastructure, supporting economic opportunity and ensuring county services keep pace with residents’ needs.
“Every decision should strengthen our communities, support families and local businesses, and preserve the high quality of life that attracts people to Savage and Scott County in the first place.”
Christensen says he is passionate about “policies that create opportunity and position communities for long-term success.”
“That includes workforce development, affordable and reliable energy, and building strong partnerships between the public and private sectors to solve complex challenges,” he says. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen that some of the best outcomes happen when government, businesses, nonprofits and community leaders work together toward shared goals. I’m also passionate about good governance – making decisions based on data, long-term thinking and measurable outcomes rather than political rhetoric.
“Government works best when it is collaborative, focused, and centered on delivering results for the people it serves. … I’m running because I believe my combination of business leadership experience, public service experience and deep roots in the community will help me be an effective advocate.”Thanks for reading Newsline Local! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.