Blaine, MNVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Blaine City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

5 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council Ward 1 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 2 · Unopposed

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

Three of the seven council seats are on this ballot, one in each ward: Ward 1 (Tom Newland vs. Alex Tierney), Ward 2 (Jess Robertson, unopposed) and Ward 3 (Terra Fleming vs. Maia Gunderson). Voters choose only their own ward's seat; the mayor is not up.

3 notes on these statements

Jess Robertson is the only candidate on the Ward 2 ballot. City of Blaine · Sep 18, 2026

Alex Tierney did not respond to the ABC Newspapers general election questionnaire. ABC Newspapers · Oct 1, 2026

Former Council Member Richard Paul finished third in the Ward 1 primary and is not on the November ballot. ABC Newspapers

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Chris FordCouncilmember, Ward 1; term ends December 31, 20285sourcedLeslie LarsonCouncilmember, Ward 2; term ends December 31, 20285sourcedChris MassogliaCouncilmember, Ward 3; term ends December 31, 20285sourcedTim SandersMayor; term ends December 31, 20283sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesThe 105th Avenue district and its parking structure, Property taxes and the 2027 levy, License plate reader camerasKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

The 105th Avenue district and its parking structure

Where it standsThe council approved a term sheet, tax abatements and bond sales for a $15 million west parking structure by 4-3 votes in spring 2026; repayment sources are set by the council each year.

What's on the tableWhich revenue sources repay the parking structure debt each year, and how much city support the rest of the redevelopment district receives.

Property taxes and the 2027 levy

Where it standsThe preliminary 2027 levy is a 7.4% increase, down from a 9.7% June proposal; the council adopts the final levy and budget in December.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, and whether to trim the planned capital equipment levy increase.

License plate reader cameras

Where it standsBlaine police use Flock license plate reader cameras; residents asked the council to remove them in August 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, expand or remove the license plate reader network and how it is governed and funded.

Housing and development approvals

Where it standsThe council rejected a twinhome plan on 83 acres at 125th Avenue NE 2-5 in April and approved an 86-home subdivision 4-3 in June.

What's on the tableWhat housing types and lot sizes the city approves on its remaining undeveloped land.

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. In 2026 the council approved financing for a $15 million west parking structure in the 105th Avenue district. Where do you stand?

  2. 2. The preliminary 2027 levy is a 7.4% increase. What should the council do before the December vote?

  3. 3. Blaine police use Flock license plate reader cameras. What should the city do?

  4. 4. In April 2026 the council rejected a plan to allow twinhomes on 83 acres at 125th Avenue NE. Which position is closest to yours?

  5. 5. Blaine has manufactured home parks. What should the city do about private-equity purchases of them?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Chris Ford, Leslie Larson, Chris Massoglia, Tim Sanders3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

  • The council is six councilmembers and the mayor; the mayor votes equally with the councilmembers and presides at meetings. City of Blaine
  • Two councilmembers are elected from each of three wards on staggered four-year terms. City of Blaine
  • The mayor is elected citywide to a four-year term. City of Blaine
  • The council works through City Manager Erik Thorvig and does not perform day-to-day administrative work. City of Blaine
  • Three seats are on the 2026 ballot, one in each ward, each for a four-year term. City of Blaine · Sep 18, 2026
  • A Ward 1 primary was held Aug 11, 2026: Newland received 1,365 votes, Tierney 1,008 and former Council Member Richard Paul 351. ABC Newspapers

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