Meet Blake Stevens
Raised on Highway 14.
I grew up in Lamberton, Minnesota, just an hour and a half east of here, picking rocks in farm fields and pouring cement under the summer sun. I wasn't raised in a country club; I was raised to work.
Before I ever stepped into a political science classroom, I spent over a decade in the real workforce. I’ve installed satellite dishes on rooftops, bartended late nights, and worked the retail floor at big box stores—including right here at the Brookings Lowe's.
I know what it’s like to stand on your feet for an 8-hour shift and still worry about making rent. I’m running because Pierre needs fewer career politicians and more people who know how to use a hammer.
Why I Stopped Sitting on the Sidelines.
I came to Brookings for SDSU, but I stayed because I found a community worth fighting for. But in 2022, everything changed. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, I saw the government reaching into the private lives of my friends and neighbors. I realized that if regular people don't step up to defend our rights, no one will.
At the same time, I started seeing the economic toll right here on campus. As an RA, I watched brilliant students—future nurses, teachers, and engineers—pack their bags and leave for Minnesota simply because they couldn't afford the rent hikes. We are exporting our future because Pierre refuses to invest in it. I’m running to protect our personal freedom and our economic future.
Governance at 2:00 AM
My life in Brookings revolves around campus. For the last three years, I’ve served as a Resident Assistant (RA) at SDSU. Some people think that’s just "dorm monitoring." It isn't. It is 24/7 community governance.
I help manage a large community of residents. I mediate disputes between neighbors, enforce policy when it’s unpopular, handle mental health crises, and ensure safety in the middle of the night.
I don’t need a law degree to know how to listen to people and solve their problems. I’ve been doing it every single day. I’m running to bring that same "boots on the ground" service to the State House.
Send a Neighbor to Pierre.
The establishment has had their turn. It's time for common sense, affordability, and a representative who actually lives in the district.
Join the Campaign