Don was born in Culver City, CA. on July 23, 1943. Don Gustavson graduated from Culver City High School in California in 1961. Don moved to Nevada in July 1967. Don now has two daughters, Kerry Saulnier & Donna Stoller and a son, Don. His two daughters have given him six beautiful grandchildren, five girls and one boy. His son's wife just gave him another beautiful granddaughter.

Don was general manager of a real estate investment company for 5 years. He also has over 25 years experience as a professional driver, first driving for Wonder Bread/Hostess Cake in 1971. He then went on into driving semi-trucks locally for many years delivering food products to restaurants. Don is now retired.

Don got interested in politics in the early 80's. He wanted to try to make a difference in the direction our country is going so he decided to run for the State Assembly in 1990. On his third campaign in 1996, Don was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. He served on the Judiciary, Education and Transportation Committees in the 1997 Session. He served on the same committees in the 1999 and 2001 Sessions in addition to the Constitutional Amendments Committee. Don served on the same committees in the 2003 Session except the Education Committee.

Don Gustavson is one of the "Fearless 14" who stood to protect our Nevada Constitution and to vote against the largest tax increase in Nevada's history. He also stopped the creation of a Nevada I.R.S.

Don worked on and voted for bills to increase the penalties for those who abuse, injure or defraud senior citizens. He consistently voted no to increase taxes and/or fees as well as introducing and gaining tremendous support in trying to pass a Constitutional Amendment change to put a cap on property taxes similar to Prop. 13 in Calif. Don and former assemblywoman Sharron Angle are currently continuing this effort this election year to put this issue on the Nov. 2008 ballot for all Nevada citizens to vote on.

In 1999, Don received an award for leadership in advocacy from the American Heart Association and in 2000 received a Hometown Hero Award from the American Red Cross for introducing and passing AB409 that extended limited immunity from liability regarding "Good Samaritan" emergency care.

Don Gustavson has been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment for as long as he can remember. The main reason Don first ran for the Assembly was to do every thing he could to protect ALL of our constitutional rights and freedoms. And he continues to do so.

In the 1999 Session, Don Gustavson was able to introduce and pass a law (AB543) that would prevent the cities and counties from filing lawsuits against the manufacturers or dealers of firearms or ammunition relating to the lawful design or manufacture of firearms or ammunition.

Don was also solely responsible for resurrecting a bill to protect law enforcement personnel from frivolous lawsuits. Don also voted no over 100 times in the 1999 session, mostly on bills to increase taxes, fees and increased cost of insurance premiums.

Don was instrumental in the formation of the Northern Nevada Teen Challenge home for teenage boys and was the founding chairman. He also served two terms as president of the Highland Ranch Homeowners Association.

While the Nevada Legislature only meets every other year for 120 days, Don also held down a full time position (when not in session) and in his spare time helps out with other community activities.