Adding up the Independent Votes
If you’re looking for a shift in the direction of the City Council, electing Dan Orban in Ward 9 might be part of the equation. Unlike most other candidates for City Council, Dan is running as an Independent and will not be seeking the DFL endorsement.
According to the city’s website, “Ward 9 is one of the most densely populated wards as well as one of the most diverse. It includes the largest urban American Indian population, the largest Latino population, a strong East African community, and a progressive LGBTQ community.”
The incumbent, Jason Chavez, has been a strong advocate for further study of George Floyd Square, including the possibility of converting it into a pedestrian mall. For Orban to overcome Chavez’s incumbent advantage, he will need to build strong connections within this diverse community while addressing a range of complex and often controversial issues.
There are currently an estimated seven encampments in Ward 9—the highest number in the city. The ward frequently makes headlines due to violence, including the September 2024 shootings near encampments that left two people dead.
Ward 9 is also the proposed site of the East Phillips Urban Farm, a project that has faced repeated delays as the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) struggles to secure funding. Incumbent council member Jason Chavez has played a key role in keeping the project alive, granting multiple extensions to allow additional fundraising. In the meantime, the vacant property costs taxpayers $100,000 per month to maintain.
Dan emphasizes several times in the interview that he holds no personal animosity toward Chavez. His approach is one we’d like to see more often—where candidates can disagree without viewing each other as enemies. Progress doesn’t have to come at the expense of destroying one’s opponent. While it’s not always easy, it is possible to disagree while remaining respectful. Being heard often starts with listening.
Interview Summary
Dan is a lecturer in computer science at the University of Minnesota. In the interview, he shares that his candidacy stems from firsthand frustrations with public safety, including crime near his home that affected his family's quality of life. Orban previously ran in 2023, inspired by the lack of response from city officials to pressing neighborhood concerns.
Public safety is his top priority, citing ongoing crime, drug-related issues, and the presence of encampments. While he supports compassionate approaches, he is skeptical about the effectiveness of sanctioned outdoor spaces for encampments, arguing for more structured housing and treatment solutions. He also emphasizes the need for economic revitalization, stating that local businesses feel unsupported and that crime discourages investment.
Dan advocates for maintaining core city services, such as police funding, road maintenance, and emergency services. He supports hiring more police while also expanding behavioral crisis response teams. Running as an independent, he believes in bridging political divides and focusing on practical solutions rather than ideological battles. His campaign message centers on collaboration, common-sense governance, and restoring trust between the city and its residents.
You can learn more about Dan Orban at his website https://danorban.github.io/
Community Note
To hear about progress toward comprehensive safety in the Uptown neighborhood please attend “Uptown Safety Ambassadors. What is happening and when?” at the Uptown Theater on March 24th.
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