Claire Robling- State Senator, District 35
- State Senate Website
- Age 53
- Resident of Spring Lake Township, rural Jordan
- Husband, Tony; married for 32 years
- Two adult children, Jenna and Kevin
- One new grandchild (and loving being a grandma!)
- Attended Guardian Angels High School, Chaska High School, and the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul
- Occupation: Freelance journalist, former editor for the Jordan Independent and Savage Pacer; former reporter for the Shakopee Valley News, Prior Lake American, Chanhassen Villager, and Chaska Herald.
- Member: Board member for St. Gertrude’s Health Care Center, Shakopee; Chamber of Commerce; Jordan Commercial Club; Scott County Pheasants Forever; St. John’s Church, Jordan.
- Past activities: 4-H Club leader, youth coach, faith formation teacher.
Robling grew up on a dairy farm in Chanhassen, the daughter of Al and Mary Jane Klingelhutz. She got into journalism when she took an internship with a paper following her second year of college. From 1977 until 1996, she worked as both a reporter, editor, and photographer, covering local communities and their events for local newspapers. When she filed for office in 1996, Robling stepped down as editor of the Savage Pacer to avoid any conflict of interest. She credits her journalism career for teaching her about politics and making her a more effective legislator.
Robling notes that her district is one of the largest in the state. After the 2000 census, each state Senate district was home to about 73,500 people. Since then, more than 30,000 people have moved into her district in Scott County. As a result, she takes a special interest in finding the most effective ways to handle growth, expand public infrastructure, and improve the state’s economy without placing undue burdens on taxpayers. She has been an active member of the State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee, and she is the ranking Republican member on the State Government Budget Division. She continues to advocate for government accountability from her position on the Legislative Audit Commission. 
Though she has a strong interest in transportation, Robling’s main focus is on education issues, from early childhood through higher education. She was a founding co-chair of the Early Childhood Legislative Caucus and remains active with that group as it advocates to improve child care and ensure that families have the tools they need to protect their children and prepare them for school. Robling also sits on the E-12 Education Policy and Budget Committee.
As the ranking Republican member of the Higher Education Budget Division, she hopes to ensure that more students are prepared for and have access to post-secondary education and employment. She believes too many high school graduates waste time and money in remedial courses because they are not prepared for college, and she is working to improve the K-12 system and provide incentives to students so they take appropriate courses in high school to prepare themselves for jobs and college. She was the Senate author of the ACHIEVE program which provides financial incentives for many students who take college preparatory courses in high school.
Robling said she enjoys touring the state with the Capital Investment Committee. "You learn so much about our state’s communities and their needs and assets when you tour with this committee, plus you get to know the other members," said Robling. "With the busy schedules legislators have while we’re in
session, there isn’t much time to get well acquainted, and I believe good relationships are very important in the legislative process so I appreciate opportunities to spend time with colleagues away from the Capitol."
In her spare time, Robling’s first priority is family time. She is the proud grandmother of Julia, born in June 2010. She also helps her husband on their farm, especially during hay-making,and enjoys working in her expansive flower and vegetable gardens. In recent falls, Robling and her husband enjoyed traveling to Brookings, S.D. to watch their son, a recent graduate, play football for the South Dakota State University team. Robling also enjoys reading, the occasional fishing trip, visiting with the community, and tending to the family game farm.