Why Purpleprint?

(Hint: Neither a "red" nor a "blue"print)

Eden Prairie is built out — that's not a problem to fix, it's a fact to respect. Current City Hall priorities lean toward long-range redevelopment, more mixed-use density, and annual levy increases.

I see it differently.

Built out means we stop chasing a 20-year growth plan. We apply disciplined leadership by listening to Eden Prairie residents (not surveys), and manage what we have by 1.) holding the levy to inflation, protecting single-family neighborhoods, funding police and fire response times first, and requiring redevelopment to pay its own way instead of billing the homeowner.

Disciplined leadership isn't anti-growth — it's growth that earns its place before it's approved.

I'm Brad Canham, the independent change candidate for Eden Prairie City Council.

Minnesota and Purple go together. Look, I'm willing to listen, a bit, to objections to that. But, me, they do go together as Forrest Gump said "like peas and carrots," and Minnesota Purple means something important for Eden Prairie.

Because, at the end of the day, and whatever your political leanings may be, we all chose to live here. It is a choice and I deeply respect you for making it. The most important thing is to ensure that your excellent choice remains as excellent of a choice as the day you first made it, don't you think? That is why red and blue make Minnesota Purple and also why...

The focus is Move Eden Prairie Excellence Forward.

Eden Prairie's council-manager arrangement (referred to as a "Plan B" governance structure) thrives when the work of city departments is predictable, transparent, and endures. As a city council member I will focus on the policy and legislative decisions of city council municipal stewardship, which delegates daily and administrative and operatonal duties to the City Manager. The governance structure helps to ensure sound practical solutions, not politics, move Eden Prairie Excellence Forward.

It is an arrangement to ensure that you have a representative voice on the City Council to ensure the practical work of safe roads, fair taxes, sensible development, secure homes, and great neighborhoods. Commonsense, practical excellence is what Eden Prairie's 25,665 households want and serving as your voice on the City Council is what I will provide. Eden Prairie City Council members serve "At Large," they serve all Eden Prairie residents equally, regardless of personal background or location within the city limits.

In a time of partisan tension, "Purpleprint" is my attempt to say I am firmly committed to listening to and serving everyone - without exception.

Active Community Builder & Leader

Civic Builder

Affordability Problem-Solver

Community & Educational Leader

Brad's early career as Editor and news reporter honed his commitment to transparency in government. In 2020, Brad and other civic-minded leaders founded the Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) where he served as its Founding Editor. This background informs his focus on transparent municipal governance and building trust in the community .

Brad is a long time Mentor in the University of St. Thomas (UST) Community Entrepreneur Program (CEP) helping entrepreneurs from underinvested communities launch and scale their businesses. Providing support for "paying kitchen table bills" represents a practical application of Matthew 25:31-46: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

In 2025, he connected the CEP with Eden Prairie Schools resulting in the CEPs first-ever high school 7-week "entrepreneurship bootcamp" -it quickly filled with Eden Prairie students.

Next? A CEP for 30+ adults in Eden Prairie is scheduled for September 2026 .

In 2025, Brad is the Co-founder of a non-profit event, the Entrepreneur Jubilee, helping entrepreneurs and small businesses grown in Eden Priaire. Brad nestablished its fiscal fund with the Eden Prairie Community Foundation.

The 2025 event included leaders from various sectors of Eden Prairie who were asked to make presentations on the topic of "prosperity" as 1.) What we have, and importantly 2.) Who we become as we pursue it. it included approximately 50 vendors, non-profits, a venture firm, as well as eight local as well as corporate sponsors.

Now an annual event, (called "Celebrate Local" in 2026) the next event will be held at Purgatory Creek Park on September 26, 2026.

Deep roots in Eden Prairie drive his commitment. Brad understands that true leadership means preserving our foundations while actively building for the next generation's success.

Brad has a career in leadership technology firms, from telecom (ADC Telecommunications) to internet infrastructure, Internet of Things to artificial intelligence (AI). He received a Master of Business from and Doctor of Education (Ed.D) from the University of St. Thomas (UST). In addition to continued work and with private companies he began teaching parttime at the UST OPUS College of Business in 2023. In 2025, he successfuly completed UST's semester-long Inclusive Classroom Institute program.

In 2026, Brad was elected as the Chair of the Adjunct Faculty Council (a 22-member board) responsible for representing, supporting, and addressing the needs of UST's 450+ adjunct faculty.

Based on his experience in AI firms, Brad is also a member of the UST Institute for AI and the Common Good. Brad is a member of the Insititute's "Advising External Entities" group and, in that role, is bringing experts to Eden Prairie for a September 2026 AI event.

Brad continues to advocate for science-based climate and environmental protections, expansoin of renewable energy and public transportation infrastructure, protections from artificial intelligence (AI) overreach, clear seperation of religion and state at all levels of government; racial, ethnic, LGBTQ+ rights and justice. Brad also believes in sensible gun laws, affordable housing and home ownership, strong public education and job training, expanded access to affordable healthcare, and stable employment as well as fair living wages for workers.

Advocate & Champion

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