Dan Kessler

Dan Kessler (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Minnesota State Senate to represent District 48. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. The Democratic primary for this office on August 11, 2026, was canceled.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm Dan Kessler, a psychologist, small business owner, and longtime Chaska resident. I'm also a public school parent, and like a lot of parents in Carver County, I worry that my kids' generation may not have it as good as mine did. Costs keep climbing, housing feels further out of reach, healthcare eats up more of every paycheck, and the people meant to be leading us often seem more focused on their own careers than on the families they serve.

I'm running for State Senate because I believe Carver County can build a future where residents can afford their lives, kids can thrive, and government actually works for the people it serves. I've spent my career helping people work through hard moments, listening first, finding what's actually true beyond the noise, and building commonsense solutions that hold up in real life. Those are exactly the skills Carver County needs in St. Paul right now: someone who shows up, listens honestly, and does the work instead of performing politics.

I've been a practicing psychologist for 30 years. Before starting my business, I spent 15 years in a primary care clinic and worked in hospital, community mental health, and private practice settings. Showing up for this community isn't new to me. I've been deeply engaged in my local community, because I believe being part of a community means doing the work, not just talking about it. Carver County has been my home for two decades, and it's where I intend to keep doing that work.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

AFFORDABILITY:

Lower costs for families: Every day, my neighbors tell me that everything is just too expensive these days. Health insurance premiums keep climbing and prescription drugs cost more every year, forcing families to choose between getting care and paying the bills. Finding affordable, reliable child care is its own full-time struggle for so many parents. Property taxes went up 10% or more last year for many families in Carver County. It's got to stop. I'm committed to bringing costs down and creating a community where we all can thrive.FRAUD:

People who commit fraud need to be held accountable. Fraud is fraud. Taking advantage of our state’s generosity and stealing from those in need is despicable. We must hold the criminals who defraud our state accountable. I’m also frustrated with politicians who have made their whole campaigns about fraud now, but did nothing when it was actually happening, and when they did find out, they spent more time blaming than acting to hold criminals accountable. Too many politicians would rather play political games than actually solve the problem. I will put people above partisan politics and vote for any good bill that protects our state from fraud, regardless of who proposed it or what party they’re from. We need to hold criminals accountCarver County doesn't need more political performance. It needs a senator who actually shows up. That's true for affording our lives, and it's true for keeping our families safe. Kids, parents, and teachers deserve real leadership on gun violence, not public statements and floor speeches. Every family deserves to send their kids to school without fear, and every resident deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhood. Government should protect our rights and freedoms, not take them away, and it should never intimidate the families who call Carver County home. When 4,000 federal agents took over the metro and neighbors stopped leaving their houses, I didn't issue a statement. I delivered food and stood watch in vulnerable neighborhoods and

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare is deeply personal to me. In 2002, a routine doctor’s visit led to two diagnoses in the same week: Stage 1 melanoma and a brain tumor. I was fortunate to have affordable insurance that made it easy to seek care and follow my doctor’s recommendations. Today, the cost of that same care might cause a family to delay it, with potentially devastating consequences. As a psychologist, I’ve also seen how access to mental healthcare can change lives. No one should avoid needed care because of cost. I want to make healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable and give Minnesotans access to reliable coverage they can count on.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Education Minnesota

Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation

SEIU Minnesota

Planned Parenthood Minnesota PAC

Pro-Choice Minnesota

Minnesota Nurses Association

AFSCME Council 5

Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota

Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters

IBEW Local 292

Jane Fonda Climate PAC

Friends of the Boundary Waters Action Network

Sierra Club

Everytown

Committee to Protect Health Care

InterFaculty Org

DFL Environmental Caucus

MN 50501

AFL-CIO

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a clinical psychologist, husband and father. I chose to run for Minnesota House because of concerns I had for healthcare affordability, the need to protect our precious natural resources and the value of supporting a strong school system for today and future generations.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Everyone should have access to high-quality and affordable healthcare. Nobody should have to choose between going to the doctor and paying their bills.We must fully fund our schools to provide for a world-class education for all students, from Pre-K to College and Technical Training.We need to grow the economy through a strong infrastructure, repairing our roads and bridges, and building out new clean energy technologies for the future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Quality and affordable healthcare and especially mental health care.

Strong schools.

Thriving and healthy environment.

Women's rights.

Affordable housing.

Gun safety.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a busboy at a pizza place at age 15. I worked there for a year, biking to work until I turned 16 and earned my license. I got a retail job at a drugstore, where I worked part time until my junior year in college, when I started interning at a local community mental health center.