He graduated from Whiting Senior High School and attended Buena Vista University.

[1] Following decennial redistricting in 2021, Carlson announced his intent to run for the open 13th district seat in Iowa House of Representatives in March 2022.

[2] He was challenged in the Republican primaries on June 7, 2022, by Mark Peters, a farmer and truck driver, whom he defeated by over 300 votes, and defeated Libertarian candidate Amy Janowski in the general election on November 8 by over 8,400 votes.

[3] Carlson is a member of the Agriculture, Economic Growth and Technology, Veterans Affairs, and Natural Resources committees, the lattermost of which he serves as vice chairman.

He is a retired farmer and a former math and science public school teacher, having taught for 12 years.