Judge Nelson was appointed to serve Woodbury County in 1997 as a magistrate. He was appointed district associate judge in 2006. He attended the University of Iowa, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1987 and his law degree in 1991. He has worked at the Sioux City Legal Department, Woodbury County attorney's office and was in private practice. Nelson has served as a member of the Woodbury County Civil Service Commission.