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  Tinklenberg, Elwyn "El"
CANDIDATE DETAILS
AffiliationDemocratic-Farmer-Labor  
 
NameElwyn "El" Tinklenberg
Address
Blaine, Minnesota , United States
EmailNone
Website [Link]
Born February 26, 1950 (74 years)
ContributorEric
Last ModifedAshley
Jul 20, 2009 01:28pm
Tags Methodist -
InfoFormer Minnesota state transportation commissioner, mayor of Blaine, Minnesota, from 1986-1996, former Blaine city council member, 1982-1986. Former Medodist minister.

Elwyn Tinklenberg was born in a small town of Dutch immigrants in central Minnesota. He was educated in Duluth, Chicago, and Minneapolis, earning degrees in Philosophy and Theology, and was ordained as a minister in the United Methodist Church. In 1978, he was appointed to the United Methodist Church in Blaine, where he became involved in local economic development and job creation activities. And in 1986, he was elected Mayor and left the ordained ministry to continue his work in the community.

Tinklenberg served as Mayor of Blaine for ten years and during his tenure, helped guide the city’s rapid development (a population increase of almost 100% by 1996). He was also successful in attracting The National Sports Center to Blaine, where it is the site of the annual USA World Cup Soccer Tournament, attracting more than 20,000 participants from around the world. Tinklenberg also helped to secure construction of the PGA’s Tournament Players Club golf course in Blaine.

In 1991, Tinklenberg was chosen to head the North Metro Mayors Association, an organization of 21 north suburban communities and the City of Minneapolis, focused on improving the transportation systems and business opportunities of its member communities.

Beginning in 1986, Tinklenberg was also employed full time by Anoka County, and in 1991 his contribution to the county was recognized with his appointment as manager of the Divisions of Public Services. The Division included the departments of transportation, parks, solid waste, surveyor, and public relations.

In 1998, he was elected President of the Minnesota Transportation Alliance. Following the elections of Jesse Ventura, Tinklenberg was asked to serve as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. He held that position until November of 2002, when Governor Ventura announced that he would not seek re-election. As Commissioner, Tinklenberg is most well known for his role in developing and constructing the state’s first light rail line and for doubling the size of MN/DOT’s road construction program.

Tinklenberg is currently president of The Tinklenberg Group, a consultancy which specializes in transportation, marketing, and public relations.

As a respected businessman and public servant, Elwyn Tinklenberg’s background prepares him to run in an open seat race that will be targeted by both national parties. He will run a well-funded, sophisticated campaign that will appeal to the values and progressive instincts of the people in this district.


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  11/04/2008 MN - District 06 Lost 43.43% (-2.97%)
  04/26/2008 MN District 6 - DFL Convention Won 72.00% (+44.00%)
ENDORSEMENTS
MN Governor - DFL Primary - Aug 10, 2010 DFL Matthew "Matt" Entenza
MN District 6 - DFL Primary - Sep 12, 2006 DFL Patricia "Patty" Wetterling