MINOT — Jason Olson, of Minot, announced he is running for Ward County Commission.
In a statement released today, Olson said he brings his experience in serving the public, his
conservative values, and belief that government has an important but preferably limited role to
play in citizens lives.
Olson retired in 2020, following a long career at the Minot Police Department where he served
his final 8 years as Chief of Police. During his tenure he managed an agency of more than 100
employees with an annual budget which exceeded $10 million dollars.
If elected as a Commissioner, Olson said he believes his professional experiences, his emphasis on
excellent customer service, along with the ability to make common sense decisions would serve
the citizens of Ward County well. He also said he believes that a crucial role of political leaders is to be good stewards of the citizens tax dollars while providing high-quality public services in an efficient
manner.
Although he has lived in Minot for many years, Olson comes from a family heritage rooted in
North Dakota agriculture. He is a descendant of original homesteaders and continues to have
friends and family who are involved in farming and ranching. Their perspectives continue to
give him insights on issues important to the agriculture community. He said he understands the
importance of county commissioners representing all the citizens of the county whether they are
from a rural area, small town, or a larger city.
Olson is a graduate of Minot State University and the FBI National Academy.