WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. — A state legisltor who enjoys being cast as a new generation of politicians – the Xers – hit the ground running in a bid to be elected state auditor. Elliot Engen, age 27, coupled the announcement of his candidacy with a call to investigate fellow GOP legislator Ron Kresha for fraud. At age 55, Kresha is no Generation Xer. Engen’s tactic was seen to set himself apart in a widening field of candidates for auditor by claiming aggressive bona fides against corruption. As auditor, Engen said, he would expand the office and increase accountability. The auditor position is being vacated by Julie Blaha, a Democrat who herself expanded the office and widened accountability. Since Blaha announced her retirement, five others besides Engen have jumped into the race:
> Nate George, mayor of Braham in Isanti County.
> Adam Jennings, mayor of Tonka Bay, a west Minneapolis suburb.
> Zack Filipovich, a financial adviser in Duluth.
> Ben Schierer, former mayor of Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County,
> Dan Wolgamott, a six-term Democrat state representative from St. Cloud
The auditorship has been held by Democrats nearly 20 years.
Engen. Politiacal roots as a Trump Republican.
Engen electoral record
> 2020: Won House seat 39-B with 50.1%
> 2022: Won with 51.4% (District renjnbered as 36-A
> 2024: Won with 54.1%.
Generation gaps
Demographers identify population cohorts by evolution in values: Lost generation: Grew up in Great Depression. Greatest Generation: Coming of age in World War II. Silent Generation: 1950s. Baby Boomers: Born 1946 to 1964. Generation X: Post-Vietnam war. Generation Y / Millenials: Born 1965 to 1980. Generation Z / Zoomers: Born 1997 to 2012.