Jordan Graen
Name: Jordan Graen
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-300-0774
Campaign Website: JordanForLakeElmo.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JordanForLakeElmo/
Candidate Bio
I bring a combination of municipal planning experience, professional analytical skills, and deep community investment. My wife and I have lived in Lake Elmo for 7 years. I like to joke that my family fell in love with this city so much that we moved here twice! Our family actively participates in community events, and I care deeply about our city's future.
Professionally, I work in IT as a Senior Portfolio Leader and Business Relationship Manager. In this role, I bridge the gap between technical operations and business strategy—managing complex budgets, prioritizing capital investments, evaluating risk, and aligning competing stakeholder priorities.
Civically, I served on the Lake Elmo Planning Commission, where I evaluated complex development applications, zoning amendments, and land-use proposals against city code and community goals. This gave me direct, hands-on experience with how municipal decisions affect residents and property owners.
Combined with my professional experience in portfolio management, I know how to evaluate multi-million-dollar infrastructure plans critically, ask tough questions, and ensure projects deliver long-term value. I offer voters a grounded, analytical approach rooted in fiscal responsibility, property rights, and thoughtful stewardship of Lake Elmo’s character.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I practice a thorough, analytical leadership style grounded in the framework of a democracy-driven republic. I deeply value direct constituent input, listening to neighbors, business owners, and community members is essential. However, I recognize that elected leaders are entrusted to do the heavy lifting: reading every page of the council packet, analyzing technical reports, and making informed decisions that serve the entire community over the long term.
I don't believe in soundbite governance or making knee-jerk decisions based on political pressure. My approach is to do the "homework," evaluate data objectively, weigh long-term fiscal impacts, and build consensus around sound, principle-based solutions.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities are:
What is the biggest challenge facing Lake Elmo right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
The Challenge: Balancing rapid growth and complex, high-stakes infrastructure needs: such as long-term water treatment and transportation capacity, without overburdening current taxpayers or losing Lake Elmo’s distinctive community character. These are complex issues that require careful analysis rather than simple campaign promises.
The Opportunity: Unlocking responsible, market-driven development through clear, predictable rules. By maintaining strict "developer-pays" infrastructure standards and streamlining approval processes, Lake Elmo can expand its tax base organically, support local business growth, and maintain its high quality of life without saddling residents with excessive municipal debt.
How would you characterize the business climate in Lake Elmo, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
Lake Elmo has strong potential, but the best business climate is built on low taxes, predictable regulations, and minimal bureaucratic red tape. City government should not attempt to act as a central planner or hand out taxpayer-funded subsidies to select commercial interests.
Instead, the city’s role is to provide stable infrastructure, efficient permitting, and transparent rules applied fairly to every business owner. When government removes unnecessary friction and provides reliable core services, entrepreneurs and local businesses naturally invest, innovate, and create jobs.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
As Lake Elmo grows, ensuring our emergency response capabilities keep pace with traffic volume and population density is critical. Public safety is a primary, non-negotiable core function of municipal government.
I will prioritize essential funding for local first responders, law enforcement partnerships, and fire protection in the city budget. Furthermore, I will ensure that major new residential or commercial developments are evaluated for their impact on emergency response times and local road safety before approvals are granted.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Housing affordability is driven by market supply and demand. Overly restrictive zoning, slow bureaucratic approval processes, and high development fees drive up the baseline cost of constructing new homes. The city can improve affordability by simplifying regulations, allowing flexible land use within reasonable guidelines, and letting homebuilders respond to consumer demand.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
As an frequent cyclist, I know firsthand why Lake Elmo is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Between the Gateway State Trail, the single-track at Sunfish Lake Park, and the scenic roads through Lake Elmo Park Reserve, our rolling hills and open spaces draw cyclists, runners, and families from all over the region. Safe, connected infrastructure is vital to protecting both residents and visitors.
My approach to transportation focuses on safety, smart connectivity, and fiscal responsibility:
Closing Trail Gaps: I support prioritizing "last-mile" trail connections that link our existing residential neighborhoods to our major regional trail networks, local parks, and downtown business hubs. Connecting disjointed paths ensures families and cyclists can ride safely without being forced onto high-speed shoulders.
Data-Driven Road Safety: For drivers and cyclists alike, intersection safety and road sightlines are critical. I advocate for evaluating road improvement projects through an engineering lens—improving wide shoulders, adding clear signage, and installing safe pedestrian crossings near schools and park access points.
Fiscal Stewardship & Developer Accountability: Trail connectivity shouldn't rely solely on property tax increases. As new developments are built, the city should ensure developers incorporate trail linkages into their site plans so our pedestrian and cycling network grows organically alongside our population.
By investing strategically in trail connectivity and road safety, we protect our residents, preserve our city’s active outdoor culture, and keep Lake Elmo a vibrant, beautiful place to live and ride.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
I approach the city budget through a disciplined "core services" lens. Every dollar collected from property owners must be justified. When setting the city levy, I will scrutinize non-essential spending, look for operational efficiencies, and ensure city growth actually pays for itself.
We must distinguish between "must-haves" (public safety, road maintenance, safe drinking water) and "nice-to-haves". By keeping the city levy focused strictly on municipal essentials, we can ease the tax burden on local families and seniors on fixed incomes.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
City government is best positioned to lead on:
Land Use & Zoning: Local leaders and residents understand the unique geography and rural-suburban character of Lake Elmo far better than regional or state agencies.
Local Road Maintenance & Capital Planning: Municipal public works departments are directly accountable for local street conditions and neighborhood infrastructure.
Local Parks & Community Preservation: Decisions regarding local parkland, open space, and trail connections are best made by the neighbors who live near and use them.
Local government is closest to the people. Unlike state or county bureaucracies that rely on broad, top-down mandates, city leaders live in the community and are directly accountable to their neighbors.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
Real taxpayer transparency means making municipal data clear, accessible, and understandable without requiring a degree in accounting.
I support:
Plain-Language Financial Summaries: Publishing concise, easy-to-read executive summaries of the annual budget, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and major development contracts online prior to council votes.
Early Public Input: Holding open, well-publicized budget workshops early in the levy process so residents can review proposed spending before decisions are finalized.
Clear Cost Breakdown: Clearly detailing how developer fees and city infrastructure dollars are allocated so taxpayers can see exactly where their money goes.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-300-0774
Campaign Website: JordanForLakeElmo.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JordanForLakeElmo/
Candidate Bio
I bring a combination of municipal planning experience, professional analytical skills, and deep community investment. My wife and I have lived in Lake Elmo for 7 years. I like to joke that my family fell in love with this city so much that we moved here twice! Our family actively participates in community events, and I care deeply about our city's future.
Professionally, I work in IT as a Senior Portfolio Leader and Business Relationship Manager. In this role, I bridge the gap between technical operations and business strategy—managing complex budgets, prioritizing capital investments, evaluating risk, and aligning competing stakeholder priorities.
Civically, I served on the Lake Elmo Planning Commission, where I evaluated complex development applications, zoning amendments, and land-use proposals against city code and community goals. This gave me direct, hands-on experience with how municipal decisions affect residents and property owners.
Combined with my professional experience in portfolio management, I know how to evaluate multi-million-dollar infrastructure plans critically, ask tough questions, and ensure projects deliver long-term value. I offer voters a grounded, analytical approach rooted in fiscal responsibility, property rights, and thoughtful stewardship of Lake Elmo’s character.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I practice a thorough, analytical leadership style grounded in the framework of a democracy-driven republic. I deeply value direct constituent input, listening to neighbors, business owners, and community members is essential. However, I recognize that elected leaders are entrusted to do the heavy lifting: reading every page of the council packet, analyzing technical reports, and making informed decisions that serve the entire community over the long term.
I don't believe in soundbite governance or making knee-jerk decisions based on political pressure. My approach is to do the "homework," evaluate data objectively, weigh long-term fiscal impacts, and build consensus around sound, principle-based solutions.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities are:
- Fiscal Responsibility & Core Infrastructure: Prioritizing essential services, roads, public safety, and clean water while strictly scrutinizing city spending.
- Respecting Property Rights & Smart Growth: Ensuring land-use rules are clear and predictable, while requiring new development to fund its own infrastructure footprint so existing taxpayers aren't burdened.
- Governing with Transparency & Analytical Rigor: Ensuring major capital projects receive thorough cost-benefit reviews before public dollars or long-term debt are committed.
What is the biggest challenge facing Lake Elmo right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
The Challenge: Balancing rapid growth and complex, high-stakes infrastructure needs: such as long-term water treatment and transportation capacity, without overburdening current taxpayers or losing Lake Elmo’s distinctive community character. These are complex issues that require careful analysis rather than simple campaign promises.
The Opportunity: Unlocking responsible, market-driven development through clear, predictable rules. By maintaining strict "developer-pays" infrastructure standards and streamlining approval processes, Lake Elmo can expand its tax base organically, support local business growth, and maintain its high quality of life without saddling residents with excessive municipal debt.
How would you characterize the business climate in Lake Elmo, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
Lake Elmo has strong potential, but the best business climate is built on low taxes, predictable regulations, and minimal bureaucratic red tape. City government should not attempt to act as a central planner or hand out taxpayer-funded subsidies to select commercial interests.
Instead, the city’s role is to provide stable infrastructure, efficient permitting, and transparent rules applied fairly to every business owner. When government removes unnecessary friction and provides reliable core services, entrepreneurs and local businesses naturally invest, innovate, and create jobs.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
As Lake Elmo grows, ensuring our emergency response capabilities keep pace with traffic volume and population density is critical. Public safety is a primary, non-negotiable core function of municipal government.
I will prioritize essential funding for local first responders, law enforcement partnerships, and fire protection in the city budget. Furthermore, I will ensure that major new residential or commercial developments are evaluated for their impact on emergency response times and local road safety before approvals are granted.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Housing affordability is driven by market supply and demand. Overly restrictive zoning, slow bureaucratic approval processes, and high development fees drive up the baseline cost of constructing new homes. The city can improve affordability by simplifying regulations, allowing flexible land use within reasonable guidelines, and letting homebuilders respond to consumer demand.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
As an frequent cyclist, I know firsthand why Lake Elmo is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Between the Gateway State Trail, the single-track at Sunfish Lake Park, and the scenic roads through Lake Elmo Park Reserve, our rolling hills and open spaces draw cyclists, runners, and families from all over the region. Safe, connected infrastructure is vital to protecting both residents and visitors.
My approach to transportation focuses on safety, smart connectivity, and fiscal responsibility:
Closing Trail Gaps: I support prioritizing "last-mile" trail connections that link our existing residential neighborhoods to our major regional trail networks, local parks, and downtown business hubs. Connecting disjointed paths ensures families and cyclists can ride safely without being forced onto high-speed shoulders.
Data-Driven Road Safety: For drivers and cyclists alike, intersection safety and road sightlines are critical. I advocate for evaluating road improvement projects through an engineering lens—improving wide shoulders, adding clear signage, and installing safe pedestrian crossings near schools and park access points.
Fiscal Stewardship & Developer Accountability: Trail connectivity shouldn't rely solely on property tax increases. As new developments are built, the city should ensure developers incorporate trail linkages into their site plans so our pedestrian and cycling network grows organically alongside our population.
By investing strategically in trail connectivity and road safety, we protect our residents, preserve our city’s active outdoor culture, and keep Lake Elmo a vibrant, beautiful place to live and ride.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
I approach the city budget through a disciplined "core services" lens. Every dollar collected from property owners must be justified. When setting the city levy, I will scrutinize non-essential spending, look for operational efficiencies, and ensure city growth actually pays for itself.
We must distinguish between "must-haves" (public safety, road maintenance, safe drinking water) and "nice-to-haves". By keeping the city levy focused strictly on municipal essentials, we can ease the tax burden on local families and seniors on fixed incomes.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
City government is best positioned to lead on:
Land Use & Zoning: Local leaders and residents understand the unique geography and rural-suburban character of Lake Elmo far better than regional or state agencies.
Local Road Maintenance & Capital Planning: Municipal public works departments are directly accountable for local street conditions and neighborhood infrastructure.
Local Parks & Community Preservation: Decisions regarding local parkland, open space, and trail connections are best made by the neighbors who live near and use them.
Local government is closest to the people. Unlike state or county bureaucracies that rely on broad, top-down mandates, city leaders live in the community and are directly accountable to their neighbors.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
Real taxpayer transparency means making municipal data clear, accessible, and understandable without requiring a degree in accounting.
I support:
Plain-Language Financial Summaries: Publishing concise, easy-to-read executive summaries of the annual budget, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and major development contracts online prior to council votes.
Early Public Input: Holding open, well-publicized budget workshops early in the levy process so residents can review proposed spending before decisions are finalized.
Clear Cost Breakdown: Clearly detailing how developer fees and city infrastructure dollars are allocated so taxpayers can see exactly where their money goes.