Dan Mitchell was born and raised in the Brainerd Lakes Area and is a proud graduate of Pequot Lakes High School. Growing up in Pequot Lakes, Dan learned the value of hard work early. As a kid, he collected golf balls from local courses and resold them to golfers, long before he was old enough to take on restaurant jobs waiting tables around the lakes area. Those early experiences shaped his strong work ethic and belief in earning your way.

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After high school, Dan answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Air Force. He spent 20 years on active duty, serving around the world including assignments in Japan, Germany, Italy, and Korea, along with multiple deployments to the Middle East.

His military career allowed him to work alongside allies, experience different cultures, and contribute to protecting the freedoms Americans enjoy. Dan retired from the Air Force in 2008 at Schriever Space Force Base (formerly Schriever Air Force Base).

 

After retiring from active duty, he continued serving the nation as a cybersecurity professional supporting United States Strategic Command in Omaha, Nebraska as a Department of Defense contractor.

 

Dan and his wife, Catherine, are raising their son Roland (11) in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Dan’s oldest son, Edgar (23), lives outside Minnesota and is scheduled to graduate from US Air Force Basic Training in June 2026. In 2021, Dan and Catherine returned home to the Brainerd Lakes Area because they believe there is no better place to live, work, and raise a family.

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Dan never expected to run for public office. But after a lifetime of service—to his country, his community, and his family—he believes it is time to step forward once again. Dan is running for the Minnesota House to bring common sense, integrity, and a strong work ethic to Saint Paul while standing up for the people of District 5A.