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Aaron Black (Golden Valley City Council Member, Minnesota, candidate 2025)

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Aaron Black
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Candidate, Golden Valley City Council Member
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 4, 2025
Education
Bachelor's
Mankato State University, 1997
Personal
Birthplace
St. Louis Park, MN
Profession
Sales manager
Contact

Aaron Black ran for election to the Golden Valley City Council Member in Minnesota. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]

Black completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

[1]

Biography

Aaron Black provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 29, 2025:

  • Birth place: St. Louis Park, Minnesota
  • High school: St. Louis Park High School
  • Bachelor's: Mankato State University, 1997
  • Gender: Male
  • Profession: Sales Manager
  • Incumbent officeholder: No
  • Campaign slogan: Vote Aaron Black he Has Your Back
  • Campaign website
  • Campaign endorsements
  • Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for Golden Valley City Council Member (2 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Golden Valley City Council Member on November 4, 2025.

Candidate
Aaron Black (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
Joanie Clausen (Nonpartisan)
Steve Dent (Nonpartisan)
Tracey Fussy (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
Andy Johnson (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
Jean Kidd (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
Chris Queitzsch (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Election results

Endorsements

To view Black's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Black in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Aaron Black completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Black's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

My Name is Aaron Black and I’ve called Golden Valley home for over 20 years, My wife and I have raised 3 kids that all attended Hopkins Schools. I’m running for City Council to help move golden valley forward and to help the city focus on the issues that matter the most to Golden Valley residents everyday life.

Professionally, I’ve spent my career building partnerships and helping organizations grow through business development, revenue generation and strategic planning. Locally, I’ve served as Chair of the Golden Valley Human Services Commission, volunteered on numerous civic initiatives that connect residents, support families, and strengthen our city’s sense of community and currently serve as Vice Chair of the Golden Valley Historical Society.

I’m proud to bring both professional leadership and years of hands-on civic experience to this role. I believe in listening first, respecting differing viewpoints, and finding practical solutions that serve everyone—from young families to longtime residents and seniors.

Golden Valley is a diverse, vibrant, and caring community. My goal is to ensure it remains that way by focusing on public safety, fiscal responsibility, and sustainable growth that supports current and future residents for generations to come.
  • Engaged Representation & Community Collaboration: I’m focused on practical solutions for our city. I believe being a responsive representative to all residents, working together with the community to find common ground to move Golden Valley forward.
  • Safe, Strong & Connected Neighborhoods: Making sure our police, fire, and emergency services have the tools and training they need while building trust and connection between residents and city leadership.
  • Fiscal Responsibility & Smart Growth: Using taxpayer dollars wisely, maintaining quality city services, and planning for a sustainable future that supports families, seniors, and local businesses alike.
I’m passionate policies that enhance community connection and improve quality of life. That includes supporting public safety, using taxpayer dollars responsibly, and investing in infrastructure that ensures long-term sustainability. I’m also committed to supporting seniors so they can age comfortably and stay engaged in our community. My focus is on practical, resident first solutions that make Golden Valley safer, more inclusive, and better prepared for the future.
Local municipality office plays a very direct and impactful role in individuals daily lives. As part of local government, the City Council shapes policies that influence public safety, infrastructure, housing, and quality of life . What makes this office unique is that the represenatives are also residents of the city and have a direct connection to the community — council members are accessible, accountable, and able to respond quickly to residents’ needs.
Both of my late parents mother- she was incredibly compassionate, a witty intellectual and historian. My father was devoted to his family, hilariouly funny and resourceful entrepreneur. I would like to follow the example of my Grandfather, George Black. He faced what would be to most an insurmountable amount adversity, with almost his entire family being murdered in a pogrom during the Russian Revolution he was forced to traveling across Europe as an orphan and emigrated to the United States. Here he raised a family, was drafted into WW2 and started a successful business and his legacy still lives on today.
Integrity, courage, and genuine concern for the well-being of others are essential qualities for any elected official. Leaders should approach every decision with honesty, fairness, and compassion. Intelligence and long-term vision are critical to understanding complex issues and planning for a sustainable future. Equally important are collaboration and practicality — the ability to listen, build consensus, and find workable solutions that serve the community rather than partisanship or ideology.
The core responsibility of a City Council member is to be a genuine voice for the people they represent — listening, engaging, and responding to the needs and concerns of residents. It requires the courage, experience, and judgment to make tough decisions that serve the long-term interests of the community. Elected officials must lead with dedication, integrity, and transparency, remaining accessible and accountable while working collaboratively to ensure Golden Valley continues to thrive for all who call it home.
The legacy I hope to leave are a couple of things: the happiness and success of my children, and the way I have made a positive impact in the lives of others. I want my children to know that they are genuinely supported and empowered to find their own fulfillment and purpose. I also want to be remembered as someone who cared a great deal—who consistently tried to help others in need and supported those who are less fortunate. Whether through community work, public service, or simple acts of kindness, my goal is to contribute in ways that make people’s lives a little brighter and our community stronger. I hope my legacy is measured by compassion, tangible impact, and the example I set for those around me.
Paper route at age 10 or 11.. I held it for a couple years.
Many people do not fully know to what extent of influence the City Council has on shaping the day-to-day experience of living in Golden Valley. Beyond passing policy the council members play a major role in setting long-term priorities, and influencing how taxpayer dollars are invested. The council helps determine policies around housing, development, sustainability, and public safety — all of which impact residents directly.
Another lesser-known responsibility is that the council hires the City Manager and their roll is to oversee and manage city staff.
Experience with civic service can be helpful and even desirable in a candidate but it’s not the only path to being effective. In addition to government experience it is also important is having a deep understanding of the community, a willingness to listen, and the ability to make thoughtful, balanced decisions.

In my own experience serving as chair and member of the Golden Valley Human Services Commission and working closely with city staff and community partners, I’ve seen firsthand how local government functions and how policy decisions directly affect residents. That perspective is invaluable.

However, local government also benefits from diversity of views and experience — business leaders, people with relevant work experience, volunteers, and community members all bring valuable viewpoints. What matters most is a candidate’s integrity, problem-solving ability, and commitment to serving the public good.
I believe this role benefits from a combination of city and civic experience along with business leadership. It is very important to understand how local government operates and how decisions impact residents, neighborhoods, and businesses. Equally essential is the ability to listen and work collaboratively with people who hold many different viewpoints. Effective representation comes from open-minded dialogue and respect for diverse perspectives. Finally, strong problem-solving and creative thinking skills are key — cities face complex challenges that require practical, forward-looking solutions. My experience as both a business owner and civic leader has shown me how collaboration, accountability, and creative problem-solving lead to meaningful results for the community.
What makes this office unique is its direct impact on the quality of life for people that live in our community. Serving on City Council provides the chance to have a voice in shaping the future direction of our community while working closely with the people you represent. It’s one of the few roles in government where decisions can be felt so immediately — from neighborhood improvements to city services that affect daily life. This office also helps cultivate a strong sense of shared community and common purpose, where council members and residents alike have a vested interest in making Golden Valley the best it can be. The ability to listen, engage, and act collaboratively makes this position both deeply personal and profoundly important to local government.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also


External links

Footnotes