Kraig Paulsen was first elected in 2002. He served as Republican Whip in the 2006-2008 session and was elected as the Republican Leader for the 2009-2010 session.

He is employed by CRST International, Inc. as corporate counsel. Kraig was born on September 9, 1964, in Monticello, Iowa. His father, Dr. Kenneth Paulsen, is a Veterinarian. His mother, Marilyn Felker, is a retired Hospital Transcript Manager. Kraig has one brother and two sisters who all live in Linn County.

He attended school in the Cedar Rapids Community School District where he graduated in 1983 from Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. He went on to attend Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he graduated in 1987. He received his MBA from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1994 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa in 2003.

Kraig married his wife, Cathy, in 1985. They have four children, one daughter and three sons. They attend the New Covenant Bible Church.

He served his country in the United States Air Force where he served as an Operations Group Senior Weapon System Instructor, Maintenance Flight Commander and Squadron Director of Operations.

Kraig was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the USAF Commendation Medal, the USAF Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Combat Readiness Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He has also been recognized as the Best Weapon System’s Operations Crew in the USAF twice, USAF Space Command Maintenance Junior Officer Manager of the Year, the Minot Air Force Base Junior Officer of the Quarter, and the Missile Wing Instructor of the Year.