City Councilmember Kristin Olsen has a passion for the businesses, communities and people of California’s Central Valley and foothill communities. Born, raised, and now raising her own family in Modesto, Olsen is a committed and respected leader with a reputation in local government for reform and hard work.
Re-elected to the Modesto City Council in November 2009, Olsen holds steadfast to her conservative principles including low taxes, attracting stable, good paying jobs to the area and creating an environment that will allow businesses to thrive. Olsen also believes wholeheartedly in the principles of local control; keeping tax revenues working at the local level to provide the best police and fire response, roads, parks, and other quality of life services citizens deserve.
First elected in 2005, Olsen is a proven socially conservative and fiscally accountable lawmaker, exposing out-of-control management leave policies that were reined in to save taxpayer money. Understanding the importance of stimulating business investment without the burdens of government-imposed taxes, Olsen voted against and defeated the ordinance that would have imposed a new fee on applications for business licenses. Olsen also partnered with business leaders in Modesto’s manufacturing industry to establish an Economic Capacity Bank, helping to bring new business and create new jobs in Modesto.
As a Councilmember, Olsen chairs the Economic Development Committee and serves on the City-County Liaison Committee. She has previously served as Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and as a member of the Safety & Communities Committee. In addition to her work as a Councilmember, Olsen is the Assistant Vice President for Communications & Public Affairs at California State University, Stanislaus where she directs the University’s marketing and communications programs.
Olsen has served on the Modesto City Planning Commission and on the Modesto Citizens Housing and Community Development Committee.
Olsen has also been active in the pro-life movement, writing articles and letters to elected officials, giving speeches and marching to the State Capitol to support the issue. She is a strong advocate of faith-based pregnancy centers.
After graduating from college, Olsen worked as press secretary and legislative aide for former Senator Tim Leslie, focusing on issues related to education, natural resources, insurance, and family values. She then spent five years with the California Restaurant Association (CRA) where she advocated for small business owners, fighting excessive regulation and taxation.
Olsen was born at Memorial Hospital and graduated from Modesto High School in 1992. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Westmont College in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, singing and playing piano. Olsen attends Big Valley Grace Community Church with her husband, Rod, and their three children.
