Career
He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Troms in 1997, and has been re-elected on two occasions. He had previously served as a deputy representative during the terms 1989–1993 and 1993–1997. He chaired the municipal party chapter from 1980 to 1986 and the county chapter from 1990 to 1992.
He does not have higher education, but mainly worked on a boat before entering national politics.