Chris Kartschoke’s story begins far from the Capitol and close to the values that define District 54B: hard work, family, faith, and community. He grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, in a family where both parents ran small businesses and modeled relentless work ethic and responsibility; they showed him day after day that effort and outcome are directly linked. From youth and high school sports through college and beyond, Chris learned to compete, lead, and work as part of a team—skills that now define his approach to public service.​

After college and graduate school in La Crosse, Chris’s career took him to South Dakota and Tennessee before he and his fiancée chose Minnesota as home in 1995. He built a professional path in some of the world’s largest companies, including Wells Fargo and General Electric, where he oversaw the local GE Volunteers chapter that directed both donations and volunteer labor to Minnesota nonprofits. Through that work, Chris deepened his belief that business, community organizations, and everyday citizens can partner to solve real problems when they focus on service rather than credit.​

In 2001, Chris and his family moved into what is now House District 54B, and they planted deep roots. They joined St. Michael Church, sent their children to St. Michael School, and later to Prior Lake High School, where Chris served for over a decade on the Laker Athletic Booster Club, raising funds to support student activities. At the same time, he dedicated more than two decades to the Minnesota Association of USA Track & Field, holding key leadership roles such as vice president and treasurer and serving on the national Executive Committee.​

Life brought profound hardship when Chris’s wife died in an accident more than eight years ago, leaving him a widowed father of three. Navigating grief while keeping his family close and moving forward was the hardest work of his life, but he is grateful that the loss brought him and his children closer instead of pulling them apart. Today, his adult children—Nick, Kaitlyn, and Joshua—are building their own futures, and Chris has found new companionship with his partner Beth, all while remaining deeply rooted in the community they love.​

Professionally, Chris shifted from corporate life to entrepreneurship and now owns Gotcha Covered Prior Lake, a small business he has run for more than six years. As an owner, he experiences every regulation, tax, and benefit decision firsthand and often chooses to absorb costs so his customers are treated exactly as he would want to be treated. That approach has earned him strong reviews and a reputation for integrity, and it informs his pro-business perspective: government should support businesses and jobs, not throw up unnecessary roadblocks—but it should also insist on high standards to prevent pollution and exploitation.​

Life as a single parent and small business owner has also given Chris a close-up view of the cost of childcare, healthcare, housing, and everyday essentials. He knows how hard it can be to make the numbers work at the kitchen table, and he understands why so many families worry about affording daycare today when it was already difficult years ago. His love for 54B’s parks, trails, and outdoor spaces has made him a familiar face on local running and biking paths—and strengthened his resolve to balance growth with environmental stewardship.​

Chris’s political philosophy flows naturally from his life experience. He believes most people are moderate, want to do the right thing, and share basic values like safety, opportunity, and fairness—even when they disagree on specific policies. He cannot stand partisan games where one party blocks proposals it once supported simply because the other party is now advancing them, and he rejects the idea of being a “puppet” for any party leadership. Instead, he sees himself as a common-sense, data-driven, integrity-first problem solver whose first duty is to the people of District 54B, not to a party agenda.​

He is passionate about education as the surest path for individuals and communities to improve their circumstances, supporting everything from early childhood programs to four-year colleges and technical training. Chris believes in lifelong learning and in making sure students know about multiple pathways to success so they can thrive in a global economy. At the same time, he is deeply concerned about the growing wealth gap and cost of living, and he sees those economic realities as central challenges facing both the district and the country.​

Above all, Chris wants people who meet him—even those who strongly disagree—to walk away feeling heard and respected. He truly enjoys listening to people who see the world differently and invites them to bring not just complaints but potential solutions so that together they can move the district forward. Running for the Minnesota House in District 54B is, for Chris, simply the next step in a lifetime of service—one more way to give back to the community that has given so much to his family.