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.
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.
While attending Hamline, Engen started a chapter of the conservative student organization Turning Point USA. 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.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 Engen was inspired by and modeled his debate style after Charlie Kirk.Star Tribune. (2025, November 13). Charlie Kirk assassination Minnesota university legacy. Retrieved from https://www.startribune.com/charlie-kirk-assassination-minnesota-university-legacy/601478245.
Engen worked for a wildlife conservation group focused on invasive species prevention, but left the job before joining the legislature.
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. He is the first Generation Z Republican elected to the Minnesota Legislature.
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.
In 2025, Engen announced his candidacy for Minnesota State Auditor. His campaign launch focused on recent incidents of fraud in Minnesota.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. 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.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. 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.
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.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.
Political positions Engen's 2022 campaign platform focused on "public safety, education, and pocketbook concerns". He is anti-abortion and has said it "won't be an issue that Republicans address" due to an earlier state supreme court decision. 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. He opposed a move to raise legislators' per diem payments, calling it "self-centered" and "egregious".
In 2023, Engen authored the "Safe Haven In Every Local District (SHIELD) Act", which would require school security system improvements.
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.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-controversyMinnesota 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
In 2025, Engen voted against using the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to combat invasive species in Minnesota.Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Official Website. https://www.lccmr.mn.gov/.
During a townhall event, Engen said that he believes that conflicts between protesters and ICE agents were the fault of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.CNN Staff. (2026, January 28). Minneapolis ICE live updates. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/minneapolis-ice-trump-01-28-26
Personal life Engen lives in White Bear Township, Minnesota, with his wife, Faith.
On March 27, 2026, during his campaign for state auditor, Engen was arrested by the White Bear Lake Police Department on suspicion of DWI after being stopped for 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.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/ 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.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-arrestDerosier, 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/ The state DFL later filed an ethics complaint against Engen and Hudson.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
Electoral history
References
External links
Official House of Representatives website Official campaign website