Born in La Crosse, I moved back to the area in 2006 to attend Winona State University. I graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2009

Dan Wilson being held by his dad Keith Wilson in Postville IA where Dan lived as an infant.
Dan Wilson at Winona State during a fundraising event.
Dan Wilson with his Sister Anna graduating from high school in Worthington Minnesota where Dan lived during his childhood and high school.

After graduating, I moved into the Bethany House, providing housing and friendship to folks struggling with homelessness and addiction.

Dan Wilson and his spouse volunteering at Winona's Frozen River Film Fest.

Participated in the Frac Sand protests in 2012. Proudly defending our bluffs from oil and gas corporations who wanted to stripmine them. Participating in peaceful, nonviolent protests that raised national awareness around this issue which ultimately led to Winona County banning frac sand.

Dan Wilson leading a Frac Sand Protest in 2012 at the Port of Winona in Winona Minnesota.
Dan Wilson protesting frac sand mining in Winona County by blocking a truck carrying frac sand.

After another year of volunteering at the Bethany House, I biked to Tucson Arizona and volunteered in a shelter for families seeking asylum from violence in Central America.  

Dan Wilson moving back to Winona from Tucson in 2015.
Dan Wilson on his cross country bike trip in 2013.

In 2016 I moved back to the Winona area. Feeling called to address the climate crisis in a tangible way, I started grazing cows in 2017 as a way to sequester carbon deep into the soil.

Dan Wilson grazing cattle on his farm south of Winona Minnesota.
Dan Wilson with his pigs on his farm south of Winona Minnesota.

In 2022 I launched an improbable campaign against Minnesota's most powerful Republican, then Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, knocking on 21,000 doors and raising over $115,000.

Dan Wilson at a door knocking volunteer event in Winona Minnesota for his state senate campaign in 2022.
Dan Wilson filing to run for state senate in 2022 at the Winona County building.

For two years, I worked at Engage Winona, promoting housing and training formerly homeless individuals as advocates. In 2024, I launched a non-partisan voter outreach campaign across southern Minnesota with Minnesota Voice, successfully increasing general election turnout. Currently, I'm with Minnesota Voice, funding candidate trainings for local elections to equip rural communities with strong leaders.

Dan Wilson speaking at his campaign kick-off event in Winona Minnesota for his state senate campaign in 2022.
Dan Wilson at a community block party aimed at increasing civic engagement and registering people to vote in Winona Minnesota.

My spouse and I started our family in 2021 with the birth of our first child, and in 2023 with the birth of our second.

A family of four walking along a grassy trail in a wooded area, holding hands, with the father carrying a child in a backpack carrier.