Mark Van Oven
Mark Van Oven (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Minnesota State Senate to represent District 48. Van Oven declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on August 11, 2026.[source]
Van Oven completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2026
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on August 11, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 48
Mark Van Oven (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 48 on August 11, 2026.
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mark Van Oven completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Van Oven's responses.
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I've served on the Chanhassen City Council since 2022, where I've worked across political lines to tackle real issues: property taxes, infrastructure, water quality, and responsible growth. In my professional career, I lead analytics teams to help organizations make smarter, data-driven decisions — and I bring that same discipline to public service.
My father immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands, and his story shaped my belief that opportunity, fairness, and constitutional rights are worth protecting for everyone. I'm running for State Senate because District 48 deserves a representative who will show up with honesty, integrity and authenticity, and put people over politics.- Fiscal Responsibility and Affordability Minnesota families are being squeezed — by rising property taxes, high housing costs, and a state government that too often grows faster than the economy. As an analytics executive, I know how to cut through complexity and identify what's actually driving costs. In the Senate, I'll fight for structurally balanced budgets, meaningful property tax relief for families and seniors, and data-driven fraud prevention that protects taxpayer dollars without punishing the people programs are meant to serve.
- Principled Leadership That Puts People First Leadership means showing up when it's uncomfortable. When immigration enforcement officers detained workers on a Chanhassen rooftop in subzero temperatures, I was the only local elected official to publicly speak out — not about immigration policy, but about basic human dignity and emergency response. That's the kind of leadership I offer: grounded in facts, guided by principle, and willing to stand up regardless of political consequences. District 48 doesn't need more partisan noise — it needs someone who builds trust by doing what's right.
- Protecting What Makes District 48 Special Our district's lakes, schools, and safe neighborhoods are what draw families here. I'll fight to protect our water quality and natural resources, fund excellent public schools without burdening families with endless referendums, and support community-based public safety that keeps neighborhoods safe while maintaining trust. These aren't partisan issues — they're the foundation of a community where people can thrive. My record on City Council shows I know how to deliver results, not just promises.
Fiscal responsibility and combating fraud. My analytics background has shown me how waste drains resources from people who genuinely need help. We can do better.
Constitutional rights and transparency. My father immigrated from the Netherlands understanding that our freedoms are fragile and worth protecting. The Constitution isn't a menu — you don't get to pick and choose which rights to honor.
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Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
