Blake Van Denburgh (Oak Park Heights City Council At-large, Minnesota, candidate 2024)
Blake Van Denburgh ran for election to the Oak Park Heights City Council At-large in Minnesota. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]
Van Denburgh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Blake Van Denburgh provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 27, 2024:
- Birth date: October 22, 1985
- Birth place: Coon Rapids, Minnesota
- High school: Aspen Ridge Academy
- Bachelor's: University of Minnesota, 2007
- Graduate: University of Wisconsin, 2007
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Baptist Christian
- Profession: Agriculture
- Prior offices held:
- Planning Commission Chair (2020)
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Help us campaign today for a better tomorrow!
- Campaign website
Elections
General election
General election for Oak Park Heights City Council At-large (2 seats)
Chuck Dougherty, Mike Runk, and Blake Van Denburgh ran in the general election for Oak Park Heights City Council At-large on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | Chuck Dougherty (Nonpartisan) | |
| Mike Runk (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Blake Van Denburgh (Nonpartisan)  | |
| ||||
| = 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
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Van Denburgh in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Blake Van Denburgh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Van Denburgh's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Blake Van Denburgh brings over 20 years of management experience, beginning with his education at the University of Minnesota. He spent 13+ years working in animal agriculture in Iowa, proudly saying he’s dedicated his career to feeding the world. In 2018, Blake moved to Oak Park Heights, where he and his partner Megan bought and remodeled a fixer-upper home themselves while he continued to advanced his career in sales and sales management. In 2024, Blake launched feliz inc, managing his own consulting company, continuing his commitment to both business, agriculture and community.
- Blake Van Denburgh's volunteer efforts have centered around nonprofits, with a special connection to the Minnesota State Fair, where he has been involved since 2000. His contributions span working with giant pumpkins, bonsai, flowers, and Minnesota Apples. Currently, he manages Turkey to Go, on behalf of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, demonstrating his deep-rooted commitment to the state and its agricultural traditions.
- Family is a core value for Blake Van Denburgh. Growing up in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities as the oldest of 10 children, including 7 special needs adopted siblings, Blake's upbringing reflects his strong connection to Midwestern family values and cultural diversity. His chosen family and godchildren in Mexico further demonstrate his dedication to building meaningful relationships and embracing diverse cultures.
PFAS and proper mitigation and protections for our water supply.
One of the most important qualities of this office is its responsiveness to local issues. Unlike state or federal positions, city council members have the ability to address concerns such as zoning, infrastructure, public safety, and community development in a way that is tailored to the specific needs of the local population. This ensures that city services, public projects, and community initiatives align with the vision and priorities of the people who live and work in the city.
Transparency: Clear, open communication with constituents ensures accountability. Citizens have the right to know how decisions are made and how public resources are used.
Empathy: Understanding and caring about the diverse needs and challenges of the community allows an official to advocate effectively for all people, regardless of background or status.
Leadership: A strong leader inspires confidence and brings people together to achieve common goals. They make decisions that reflect the long-term best interest of the community, even when difficult.
Collaboration: The ability to work well with others, including fellow officials, community members, and other stakeholders, is essential for effective governance.
Commitment to Service: A dedication to serving the public and improving the community should drive every action. An official should always prioritize the common good over personal or political interests.
Vision and Innovation: Forward-thinking officials who embrace change and innovation can lead a community toward progress and prepare for future challenges.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for decisions and their outcomes is crucial. An elected official should be willing to own their actions and correct course when necessary.
Adaptability: The ability to respond to changing circumstances and remain flexible in finding solutions is vital for addressing the evolving needs of a community.
Respect for Diversity: Recognizing and valuing the diverse perspectives and cultures within a community fosters unity and ensures that policies are inclusive.
Listening to Constituents: It is essential to be accessible and actively listen to the concerns, ideas, and feedback of the community. An elected official must ensure that every voice is heard, and that the policies and decisions reflect the diverse perspectives within the city.
Setting and Enforcing Policy: An official must help craft and support policies that enhance the quality of life for residents. This involves not only setting clear, practical goals but also ensuring that existing laws and regulations are fairly enforced.
Fiscal Responsibility: A key responsibility is to manage the city's budget prudently. This means ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and transparently, focusing on the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the community.
Promoting Economic and Community Development: Elected officials should focus on driving economic growth by supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and attracting new opportunities that benefit the community. Additionally, they should foster initiatives that build a strong, connected, and inclusive community.
Advocating for the City: Whether working with state officials or neighboring communities, advocating for the interests of Oak Park Heights is crucial. This involves ensuring that the city receives its fair share of resources and attention to improve infrastructure, safety, and services.
Fostering Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring that government actions and decisions are open to public scrutiny is critical. I believe it is the responsibility of an elected official to build trust through transparency, and to be accountable for their actions and decisions.
I hope to leave behind a legacy of collaboration, inclusivity, and a deep respect for diverse perspectives. I want people to remember that I cared about the collective wisdom of the community, and that I was willing to listen, ask questions, and lift up those who had the expertise or ideas to make a difference.
In every role I’ve had—whether in business, nonprofits, or community service—I’ve seen the value of bringing the right people together and ensuring everyone has a voice. My goal is to be remembered as someone who created opportunities for others to shine, someone who led by building connections and fostering a sense of shared purpose.
While I was still trying to comprehend what was happening, the unity that emerged in the days that followed stood out. It was a powerful lesson in how people, despite their differences, can come together in the face of tragedy. That sense of collective support and resilience has stayed with me and influences how I approach challenges even today. It underscored the importance of community, compassion, and standing up for one another—values that continue to guide my work and life.
Another important but often overlooked responsibility is the appointment of local boards and commissions. These bodies play a crucial role in areas like planning, parks and recreation, and public safety. The City Council helps select the individuals who serve on these boards, ensuring that there is diverse representation and that community interests are being addressed by local experts and volunteers.
Having experience in government can help an individual navigate processes, understand regulations, and make strategic decisions more quickly, but local government is often most effective when it includes a mix of perspectives. Fresh ideas, new approaches, and innovative thinking can come from individuals with backgrounds outside of politics—whether it’s in business, education, agriculture, or nonprofit work.
In fact, my own experience outside of government has helped me better understand the challenges that families, small businesses, and local organizations face on a daily basis. It has allowed me to approach issues with a real-world perspective and an open mind, focused on practical solutions.
Leadership and Decision-Making: A city council member must be able to make informed, balanced decisions that serve the best interest of the community. This requires strong leadership, as well as the ability to collaborate with others, listen to concerns, and find solutions that address the needs of different stakeholders.
Financial Management: Given the council’s role in budgeting and resource allocation, having a solid understanding of financial management is crucial. My experience in managing business operations has taught me the importance of fiscal responsibility and strategic planning—skills that can ensure city resources are used effectively and transparently.
Community Engagement: One of the most important qualities for this role is a deep connection to the community. Understanding the local issues, staying in touch with residents, and knowing how to advocate for their needs is key to being a successful council member. My long history of volunteering and working with nonprofits has helped me build strong relationships across different sectors, which is a valuable asset in this position.
Problem-Solving: A good city council member should be able to approach issues with a creative and solutions-oriented mindset. Whether it’s addressing local infrastructure challenges or improving city services, finding practical, long-term solutions is critical.
Government accountability goes hand-in-hand with transparency. It means that elected officials and public servants must be held to high ethical standards and take full responsibility for their actions. When decisions are made, they should be based on facts, community input, and a genuine desire to serve the public good—not personal or political gain. If mistakes are made, it's crucial that leaders own up to them, correct them, and learn from them.
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
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Oak Park Heights City Council At-large |
Footnotes
