Jim Nash (politician)

Jim Nash
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 47A district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 6, 2015
Preceded by	Ernie Leidiger
23rd Mayor of Waconia, Minnesota
In office 2011–2014
Preceded by	Roger Lehrke
Succeeded by	Jim Sanborn
City Council, Waconia, Minnesota
In office 2009–2010
Personal details
Born	(1967-09-23) September 23, 1967 Bayshore, Long Island, NY
Political party	Republican Party of Minnesota
Spouse(s)	Kim Nash
Children	6
Residence	Waconia, Minnesota
Alma mater	University of Nebraska Omaha (B.A.)
Occupation	small business owner, legislator

James A. Nash (born September 23, 1967) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represents District 47A, which includes central and western Carver County in the southern part of the state. He is part-owner of DCIG, LLC, an independent storage analyst and consulting firm.^[1]

Early life, education, and career

James Alexander Nash was born September 23, 1967 in Bayshore, NY. When he was a child, his family moved around the United States often, traveling to Minnesota in 1968, Colorado in 1975, Texas in 1984, Arkansas in 1986 (where he met his wife Kim). Jim and Kim Nash lived in Nebraska from 1992 until they finally settled in Minnesota in 2002.

Nash graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a B.A. in Geographic Information Systems and Political Geography.

Jim works as Chief Sales Officer for DCIG, and is part-owner of the company. Prior to joining DCIG, Nash led sales divisions for several companies in the transaction processing industry, and consulting engineering space.

Nash was elected to the Waconia City Council in 2008, and served two terms as Mayor of Waconia (2011-2014).

Nash was appointed to the Crown College Board of Trustees (4 year term) in the fall of 2016.

Minnesota House of Representatives

Nash was first elected to the House in 2014.

After Ernie Leidiger announced his retirement in February 2014, two candidates emerged for the now-open seat in 47A: Jim Nash and Bob Frey. Neither candidate was able to secure 60% of the delegate's support at the Carver County Republican Endorsing Convention, and both proceeded to run for the GOP endorsement in the 2014 Minnesota Primary, held on August 12, 2014.

During the campaign leading to the Primary, Bob Frey made AIDS and the 'Gay Agenda' main issues in his campaign,^[2] and revealed controversial views on evolution ("Dinosaurs have always lived with man").^[3]

Nash easily defeated Frey 60%-40% in the Primary election,^[4] and defeated Matt Gieseke (DFL) in the November 4, 2014 general election 67%-32%.^[5]

As a Freshman legislator in 2015, serving in the newly elected GOP majority in the House, Nash authored bills expanding rights for firearm owners, reforming the Met Council, relaxing regulation on micro-distilleries, and repealing the Interstate Compact for Juveniles.^[6] For he efforts in his first year, he was recognized by the League of Minnesota Cities as a Legislator of Distinction for 2015, the Legislator of the Year by BATC (Builders Association of the Twin Cities).

Nash soundly defeated Sean White in the 2016 election 72%-28%. He was elected by his colleagues in the Republican Caucus as one of the Assistant Majority Leaders for the 2017-2018 Legislative term.

Personal life

Jim is active in his church, a year round volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, an avid hunter and fisherman, amateur chef, and enjoys time with his family and friends.

References

External links

• Jim Nash (politician) at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• official Minnesota House of Representatives website
• official campaign website
• voting record - Project Votesmart