Owen Michaelson
TLDR: Owen Michaelson is a programmer and former small-business owner who ran GopherData, Inc. for 18 years. He served on the Edina School Board from 2018 to 2021, where he chaired the Policy Committee and helped found its Legislative Action Committee. He holds a B.A. in political science and an M.A. in human resources from the University of Minnesota, and his campaign says he has lived in Edina for 27 years. He was the Republican nominee for House District 50A in 2024, losing to Julie Greene, and was unopposed in the August 2026 Republican primary.
Owen MichaelsonRepublican- Running for
- Minnesota Senate, District 50
- Work
- Computer programmer; former owner of GopherData, Inc.
- Lives in
- Edina
- Background
- Owned GopherData, Inc. for 18 years; more than 30 years of information-management experience (per campaign) owen4senate.com
- Edina School Board, 2018–2021: Policy Committee chair; founded the Legislative Action Committee hometownsource.com
- B.A., political science, and M.A., human resources, University of Minnesota owen4senate.com
- Eagle Scout; Cubmaster for eight years, assistant Scoutmaster for 12 and Sunday school teacher for 16 (per campaign) owen4senate.com
- 27-year Edina resident; married (wife Bethany), four children who graduated from Edina Public Schools owen4senate.com
- 2024 Republican nominee for Minnesota House 50A: 35.28% (9,161 votes) to Julie Greene's 64.57% electionresultsfiles.sos.mn.gov
- Website
- owen4senate.com
- [email protected]
- Phone
- 952-925-2773
- Social
- X: @Owen4HouseFacebook
- Raised
- $6,321, $6,129 on hand cfb.mn.gov
- Also running
- Karla Hult (DFL)
Q: Where does Michaelson stand on taxes, spending and fraud?
A: Says state government should "minimize taxpayer burden" while delivering essential services. Favors refunding budget surpluses to taxpayers, restraint in future spending, "adequate oversight to avoid misappropriation of funds," and bringing back a statewide "rainy day" fund.
owen4senate.comQ: Where does Michaelson stand on health care?
A: At the forum he proposed market-based steps: stricter eligibility rules, easing the hospital-bed moratorium, faster prior authorization, more direct primary care, interstate insurance competition and price transparency.
youtube.comQ: Where does Michaelson stand on schools?
A: Wants to fully fund and implement the READ Act for literacy, more local and parental control over curriculum, and respect for parents who choose charter schools or home schooling.
owen4senate.comQ: Where does Michaelson stand on guns and public safety?
A: At the Sept. 16 forum he said gun violence is real, but argued that the Second Amendment exists to protect citizens from their government, and questioned calls to do away with guns.
youtube.comQ: Where does Michaelson stand on abortion?
A: Says he is pro-life; supports parental notification when minors seek an abortion and would like to work toward third-trimester restrictions. Answered "no" on the state Equal Rights Amendment at the forum.
youtube.comQ: Where does Michaelson stand on immigration enforcement?
A: At the forum he said federal immigration policy is broken and needs reform, and that he would vote to repeal sanctuary-city laws.
youtube.comQ: Where does Michaelson stand on housing?
A: Says building and energy codes raise home prices and that zoning limits supply; supports allowing backyard accessory dwelling units and statewide zoning reform at the Legislature.
youtube.comQ: Where does Michaelson stand on energy and environment?
A: Favors a "dual energy strategy" that develops oil and natural gas alongside wind, solar, geothermal and "low-cost, safe nuclear power," with lighter regulation. Says "We only have one earth. We must protect it," and favors private investment, conservation and local stewardship.
owen4senate.comQ: Where does Michaelson stand on data centers?
A: At the Sept. 16 forum he called AI and data centers an economic driver and a national-security interest, said he wants legislation to outlaw "sweetheart" or "shady" local deals to attract them, and pointed to nuclear power to meet their energy needs.
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