My name is Dan Mitchell, and I’m running because I believe our children deserve a future, we can be proud to pass on. One that is affordable, secure, and full of opportunity. I was born and raised right here in Cass County, growing up on a small hobby farm just west of Pequot Lakes. My parents were working-class public servants in our local school district, and from them I learned the values of hard work, dependability, and service to others. Those values have guided me throughout my life. After high school, I joined the United States Air Force, where I served for 20 years as a computer/communications specialist. My service took me across the globe, from Germany and Japan to the Middle East, where I supported operations including Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and missions in the Balkans and Iraq. Those experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of global instability, national security, and the importance of strong, steady leadership. After retiring from the Air Force, I continued serving as a cybersecurity engineer in government contracting for nearly two decades. In that work, I saw how quickly threats evolve and how important it is to stay ahead of them. Today, I live just outside of Pequot Lakes with my wife, Catherine, and our youngest son, who attends Pequot Lakes Middle School. Like many families in our community, we’re thinking about grocery bills, energy costs, our mortgage, and what kind of future we’re building for our kids. My oldest son, 23, is preparing to join the United States Air Force later this month. Right now, too many families are struggling with the rising cost of housing, groceries, energy, and everyday life. Affordability isn’t just an economic issue, it’s about preserving the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If people can’t afford to live, work, and raise a family, that promise begins to slip away. We need to focus on the fundamentals: clean water, clean air, and clean food. These are not luxuries, but essentials. We must support affordable housing, fair-paying jobs, and strong local economies that give our children a chance to start their lives and our families the stability they deserve. We must also stand up for our small, local farms, who are the backbone of our communities. By strengthening farm-to-table opportunities and supporting local producers, we can improve food security, reduce supply chain risks, and create economic growth right here at home. Energy policy is not just about the environment, but also about national security. Our dependence on global oil markets puts American families at risk, driving up costs when conflicts or disruptions occur abroad. Investing in American-made energy like solar and wind strengthens our independence, protects our economy, and brings more stability to household budgets. We must also take data privacy and digital rights seriously. As technology advances, Minnesotans deserve protection that keeps their information safe and ensures accountability in an increasingly complex digital world of social media and AI. Additionally, data centers need to be studied and dissected for ACTUAL economic impact and any environmental concerns need to be fully mitigated prior to breaking ground. I’m not running to represent large corporations or private equity. I am running to represent the current and future citizens of district 5A. If elected I promise to be available, accountable for any vote I make while representing this district. This campaign is about building a future that works for all of us: one that is more affordable, more secure, and rooted in strong local communities. I’m ready to get to work and bring practical, service-driven leadership to St. Paul. I would be honored to earn your support.