Chris Carlson is one of the Founding Partners of Gallatin Public Affairs.

A native of Idaho, Chris brings a rich variety of experience in business, journalism and politics to the firm. A former press secretary to Idaho Governor Cecil D. Andrus, Chris directed the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Public Affairs during the governor’s four-year term as Secretary of the Interior under President Jimmy Carter.

Following his position in Washington, D.C., Chris was appointed to the Northwest Power Planning Council by Idaho Governor John V. Evans. In 1984, he became regional vice president of public affairs for Kaiser Aluminum in Spokane. In 1989, he opened the Spokane office of the firm and served as office managing partner until 2004. He also serves as an ex-officio member of the board of directors.

A graduate of Columbia University in New York, Chris earned a master's degree in English literature at Idaho State University before embarking on a career in journalism. Chris first worked as the political and education editor for the Idaho State Journal in Pocatello before moving to the Spokane Chronicle.  He later became a reporter for an independent news bureau in Washington, D.C., where he covered Alaska issues for the Anchorage Daily News, as well as writing a weekly political column for seven papers in Idaho.

You can reach Chris at (509) 624-7655.

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