Hansen was born in Sioux City, Iowa on February 5, 1955.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, political science, and criminal justice from Morningside College and a Master of Arts political science from the University of South Dakota.

[1] After leaving the legislature, he worked as director of the Sioux City Public Museum.

He was re-elected to the Iowa House in November 2020 and assumed office on January 11, 2021.

[2][3] In the 2022 election cycle, Hansen was redistricted to House District 2,[4] and lost to Robert Henderson.