Sen. Carla Nelson Earns Perfect Score on Small Business Voting Record

August 13, 2026 - 08:10

State Senator Carla Nelson, a Republican from Rochester, has been given a perfect 100% rating by the National Federation of Independent Business. The group, which represents small business owners across the country, released its latest scorecard this month. Nelson was one of just 26 Minnesota senators who voted in favor of local business priorities on every single bill the NFIB tracked during the legislative session.

The scorecard measures votes on issues that directly impact the cost of doing business, taxes, and regulations. For Nelson, the perfect score is a point of pride. She says small businesses are the backbone of the local economy, and that her votes reflect a commitment to keeping their burdens low. The NFIB rating is widely seen as a key indicator for lawmakers who support entrepreneurship and job creation.

Nelson's office noted that she consistently pushed back against measures that would have increased fees or added red tape for smaller companies. The rating also puts her in a select group within the state senate, where many members scored lower due to missed votes or opposing positions on certain bills. Supporters say the perfect score shows she is listening to the concerns of shop owners and independent contractors in her district.