Meet Carla Nelson
Carla is the daughter of two public school educators and has an extensive background in education, public service and business.
Carla earned an elementary and special education degree from Drake University and a Masters of Education from the University of Minnesota. Carla taught in small rural schools and most recently in the Rochester public schools. She has taught students in grades 1-9 as a special education teacher, a title one teacher, resource room teacher and as a middle school reading teacher. Carla, also a reading specialist, knows that reading well by third grade is essential to academic success, closing achievement gaps and keeping the American Dream open for all.
Carla is a small business owner and earned national recognition as a MDRT member for several years. Carla and Terry have three grown sons, two wonderful daughters in law, a precious granddaughter and another grandchild on the way.
Carla’s Awards & Endorsements
During her time in elected office, Carla has received many awards and endorsements, including:
![MN Peace and Police MN Police](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MN-Peace-and-Police-300x169.png)
![unnamed unnamed](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/unnamed-180x180.jpg)
![Economic Development Legislator of Distinction Economic Development Legislator of Distinction](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/REV-logo-lg-300x139.png)
Economic Development Legislator of Distinction
![Legislator of the Year Legislator of the Year](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/nami.png)
Legislator of the Year
![Public Service Award Public Service Award](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MNTECH-LogoTM.png)
Public Service Award
![Minnesota Charter School Champion Award Minnesota Charter School Champion Award](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/logo.png)
Minnesota Charter School Champion Award
![MMALogo MMALogo](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MMALogo-300x142.png)
![Legislator of the Year Award Legislator of the Year Award](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/services.AmHeartLogo1_a0792b4a-5056-a348-3a5293804a0ff3ed-1.gif)
Legislator of the Year Award
![Farm Farm](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NEW-MFU-Logo-Transparent-without-triangle-1200x243-300x60.png)
Farm & Rural Legislator Award
![Legislative Champion Award Legislative Champion Award](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/startearly.png)
Legislative Champion Award
![School Social Work Legislator of the Year School Social Work Legislator of the Year](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/12791090_467206083471372_3265585722824942017_n-200x189.png)
School Social Work Legislator of the Year
![farm bureau farm bureau](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/farm-bureau-300x124.png)
![carp carp](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/carp-200x160.png)
![Local Control Legislator of the Year Local Control Legislator of the Year](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2019LMC-Logo-Horizontal-1200x452-300x112.png)
Local Control Legislator of the Year
![Champion of Racial Justice Champion of Racial Justice](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/racialjustice.png)
Champion of Racial Justice
![WomenLEAD WomenLEAD](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/WomenLEAD.png)
![Friend of Public Education Award Friend of Public Education Award](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/amsd_color-200x176.png)
Friend of Public Education Award
![Guardian of Small Business Award Guardian of Small Business Award](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NFIB-Logo-1200x438-200x72.jpg)
Guardian of Small Business Award
![Mahu_Minnesota logo_grey Mahu_Minnesota logo_grey](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MNFAHI-Logo.jpg)
![Friend of Retail Award Friend of Retail Award](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/mra-1.png)
Friend of Retail Award
![Legislator of Distinction Legislator of Distinction](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MSBA-Logo_Type-RGB-225.png)
Legislator of Distinction
![Environment Legislator of Distinction Environment Legislator of Distinction](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/REV-logo-lg.png)
Environment Legislator of Distinction
![Distinguished Legislator Award Distinguished Legislator Award](http://www.carlanelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/mpmalogo.png)
Distinguished Legislator Award
You can endorse Carla Nelson, too!
On November 3rd, we have the opportunity to send Carla back to Saint Paul to continue working for our district. Show your support for Carla by voting on November 3rd in-person, voting in-person prior to the election, or voting absentee. Learn more by clicking the link below.
Representing our Communities Proudly serving Chatfield, Dover, Dover Township, Elmira Township, Eyota, Eyota Township, Farmington Township, Haverhill Township, High Forest Township, Marion Township, Orion Township, Pleasant Grove Township, Quincy Township, Rochester, Rochester Township, Rock Dell Township, Salem Township, Stewartville & Viola Township
Carla has a long record of working across the aisle, building coalitions and finding solutions. Her accomplishments are making SE Minnesota communities a better place to live, work and play. Here are just a few of them: