Dan McGrath

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Dan McGrath

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Minneapolis, Minn.

Profession

Communications director

Contact

Campaign website

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Dan McGrath ran for election to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners to represent District 2 in Minnesota. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

McGrath completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Dan McGrath was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His professional experience includes owning several small businesses and working in and around politics. He has worked as an executive director, president, and communications director for nonprofit organizations; the chairman of a ballot committee; a campaign manager; a registered lobbyist; and in fast food restaurants and gas stations.

Elections

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Ramsey County, Minnesota (2020)

General election

General election for Ramsey County Board of Commissioners District 2

Incumbent Mary Jo McGuire defeated Dan McGrath in the general election for Ramsey County Board of Commissioners District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mary Jo McGuire (Nonpartisan)	69.7	26,281
		Dan McGrath (Nonpartisan)	29.9	11,270
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	169

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 37,720
= 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.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Ramsey County Board of Commissioners District 2

Incumbent Mary Jo McGuire and Dan McGrath defeated Greg Ryan in the primary for Ramsey County Board of Commissioners District 2 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mary Jo McGuire (Nonpartisan)	76.8	10,792
✔		Dan McGrath (Nonpartisan)	12.5	1,753
		Greg Ryan (Nonpartisan)	10.7	1,505

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,050
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Dan McGrath completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McGrath's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born 1971 in Minneapolis and lived around the Twin Cities all my life. I've had a lot of jobs, owned a couple small businesses and worked in and around politics for many years. I've been an executive director, president and communications director for non-profit organizations, chairman of a ballot committee, campaign manager and a registered lobbyist. Some of my past professions included retail store owner, house painter, chauffeur and courier. I'm experienced in the political arena, but I know what real work is. I've worked in fast food restaurants and gas stations. I know how real life can kick a person around and I know how to get back up. I've been divorced. I've lost a home. I've been unemployed. I've overcome addiction. I've survived hard times - Just like most people have to do. I know what I want from government and I think it's what most people want.

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?

• I believe that government exists to serve the people and not the other way around! Every interaction citizens have with their government should be oriented to give the best level of service, quickly, painlessly and efficiently. If there's ever an obligation for a citizen to pay a fee, complete a form or otherwise deal with the county, the onus should be on the government to make it as smooth and simple as possible.
• Taxes are a necessary evil in civil society. We all know we have to pay them, but government is obligated to be a good steward of public dollars and only collect what is needed to provide the services the people expect. The taxpayers can't be viewed as a bottomless pot of money to fund every bureaucratic dream project!
• Core services that make everyone's quality of life, safety and living standards better should be the priority in county government. This is no place for grandstanding and pushing agendas. We need smooth roads with good transportation options, safe neighborhoods, healthy environments, pleasant parks and libraries to maintain communities we can be proud of.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Right now, the big challenge, everywhere is Covid-19. It's of supreme importance that as we work to mitigate the risks of the pandemic, we keep civil liberties in the front of mind and implement solutions that are respectful of individual rights, protect livelihoods and our way of life. We also need to place a higher priority on protecting the most vulnerable populations, like people living in long-term care facilities.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Though it's a little-noticed office (except when the board of commissioners is voting to raise your property taxes), it has a profound impact on one of the most densely populated parts of the state. There are many opportunities to improve the quality of our neighborhoods and the responsiveness of county government.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I had a mentor as a youth who lived with a passion for life and with the utmost integrity. That's the standard I try to live up to.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I subscribe to the ideals set forth in the United States Constitution. Government exists, primarily to protect our rights as citizens and as people.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity and transparency. We need to be able to trust and understand the people we choose to represent us.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I strive to live and conduct myself with honesty and integrity. I'm an experienced communicator and problem-solver.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Constituent services are the highest priority. County commissioners must be responsive to the citizens and be prepared to solve real problems.

What legacy would you like to leave?

An approachable county government that prioritizes top quality service to the People.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Star Wars was released in 1977. I was 6 and if you don't think that was a significant historical event, you might be extremely disconnected from our culture. I also remember Skylab crashing to Earth and the race to build a space shuttle - they were too late to save Skylab.

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

I worked a couple years doing customer service and then low-level management at KFC as a teen.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

The Doctor. The ability to travel through time to witness history first-hand would be almost as fascinating as being able to see where we end up in the distant future.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I know how real life can kick a person around and I know how to get back up. I've been divorced. I've lost a home. I've been unemployed. I've overcome addiction. I've survived hard times - Just like most people have to do.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The County Board of Commissioners are a small body of surprisingly powerful lawmakers. Their decisions have far more impact on a person's everyday life than the governor or the president of the United States, but their work goes largely unheralded.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Our government is for its citizens and ordinary citizens should participate in it. I dislike the notion of a political class.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Energy, optimism and communication.

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.

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