Stepping Up for Eden Prairie: Why I’m Running for City Council

If you had asked me a few months ago what my fall would look like, I wouldn't have told you I’d be launching a campaign for Eden Prairie City Council.

After the state Senate endorsement process wrapped up, I took a step back. I was ready to return my focus entirely to my day job as an executive leader for Eden Prairie Schools, to my husband Todd, and to the quiet, heavy lifting of parenting our two complex, wonderful boys. I thought my time on the ballot was behind me.

But, something humbling happened.

Over the last few months, neighbors, friends, and community leaders started reaching out. They asked how I was doing, but more than that, they started asking about the future of Eden Prairie. They shared their hopes for our city, their concerns about keeping our community affordable and welcoming, and their desire for collaborative, practical leadership. And they asked me to consider stepping up to serve.

As I sat with those conversations and listened, I realized how protecting our progress and building our future depends on people stepping up to make a direct, meaningful impact in the place they call home.

Eden Prairie is an extraordinary community. We enjoy top-ranked parks, outstanding public safety, thriving local businesses, and exceptional city services. That success didn't happen by chance; it was built by generations of dedicated local leaders who planned carefully for the future.

Now, our city is at an important inflection point. To preserve the high quality of life we all cherish, we must focus on long-term sustainability and succession planning. We need to build a strong pipeline of new, thoughtful leaders who are ready to carry forward the progress made so far while bringing fresh energy and new perspectives to local challenges.

I am ready to be one of those leaders.

For those who don't know me well yet, my path to public service has always been driven by listening rather than shouting. I’m a self-confessed wallflower who learned through my career—from reading letters in the Obama White House to managing communications and engagement for Eden Prairie Schools—that real leadership isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about doing the hard, quiet work of listening to people, understanding complex systems, and delivering practical results.

That same approach is what I bring to my personal life. Navigating specialized support and therapy schedules for my sons has taught me resilience, patience, and empathy. It’s reminded me that so many families in Eden Prairie are doing their best to keep their heads above water, looking for a local government that works efficiently, stays nonpartisan, and makes their daily lives just a little bit easier.

City Council is where national politics get left at the door and local solutions take center stage. It’s where we make decisions about smart land use, housing that allows families to move in and seniors to age in place, supporting local businesses, protecting our lakes and parks, and ensuring every resident feels safe and welcome.

I love this community deeply. Eden Prairie has given so much to my family, and I want to ensure it remains a place where future generations can root, grow, and thrive.

To everyone who reached out over the past few months: thank you for pushing me to see where I could serve best. I’m stepping up, and I’m ready to give back to the city we all care so much about.

I would be honored to earn your vote for Eden Prairie City Council. Let’s keep moving forward, together.

Dirk Tedmon is a candidate for Eden Prairie City Council. He serves as an executive leader for Eden Prairie Schools and lives in Eden Prairie with his husband, Todd, and their two sons.