Blooming Prairie Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Michael
Ressler
Michael Ressler, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Blooming Prairie in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Heath Lembke.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Heath Lembke
- 02Michael ResslerYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Mayor of Blooming Prairie, elected in November 2024 to a term that expires December 31, 2026.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
The official candidate list shows Heath Lembke and Michael Ressler for Mayor, and Charlie Heimerman, Trevor Kruckeberg, William B Newman, Paul Tollefson and Thomas Wanous for Council Member (Elect 2). Minnesota Secretary of State
On the record: Michael Ressler
12 sourced01Highway 218 utilities2 sourced positions
as reported by the Steele County Times; not a direct quote
Named the U.S. Highway 218 reconstruction project through Blooming Prairie as his highest priority for the city.
Forum answerSteele County Times · Oct 15, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 26-07-03 adopting the facility plan for Highway 218 sewer and water utility improvements (passed unanimously, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Jul 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Street assessments1 sourced position
as reported by the Steele County Times; not a direct quote
Suggested a hybrid form of cost-sharing for street repairs rather than assessing costs only to property owners on the street.
Forum answerSteele County Times · Oct 15, 2026Link
03Public safety services1 sourced position
as reported by the Steele County Times; not a direct quote
Supported maintaining local police, fire and ambulance services.
Forum answerSteele County Times · Oct 15, 2026Link
04Open government1 sourced position
as quoted by the Steele County Times
Said he would like more residents to attend city council meetings to hear what is being discussed.
would love it if more people would come to city council meetings and listen to what’s actually being talked about”
Forum answerSteele County Times · Oct 15, 2026Link
05Street repairs3 sourced positions
as quoted by the Steele County Times
Said adding $30,000 to the 2026 street repair budget was a step in the right direction, but not enough to fix the streets.
I don’t think we could get nearly enough to get the streets right now, honestly, even with $100,000.”
Own statementSteele County Times · Dec 3, 2025Link
Voted yes on accepting Ulland Brothers' low bids to mill and overlay Memorial Drive and 4th Ave SW (passed unanimously, April 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Apr 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on authorizing Stantec to draft a feasibility study for the 2027 street repair project (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Property tax levy3 sourced positions
Voted yes on the proposed 2026 budget and a 14.7% preliminary levy increase (passed unanimously, Sept. 2025).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Sep 8, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on adopting the 2026 budget and Resolution 25-12-02 certifying the 2026 tax levy, a 9.89% increase (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Dec 8, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the proposed 2027 budget and Resolution 26-09-01, a 14.88% preliminary levy increase (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Garbage collection1 sourced position
Voted yes on directing staff to notify trash haulers and draft a consolidated trash collection ordinance (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · May 11, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Michael Ressler: their words and their votes on the same issue
Highway 218 utilities
In their words
Named the U.S. Highway 218 reconstruction project through Blooming Prairie as his highest priority for the city.
Oct 15, 2026 ·as reported by the Steele County Times; not a direct quote ·Steele County Times · Oct 15, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 26-07-03 adopting the facility plan for Highway 218 sewer and water utility improvements (passed unanimously, July 2026).
Jul 13, 2026 ·City of Blooming Prairie · Jul 13, 2026
Street repairs
In their words
Said adding $30,000 to the 2026 street repair budget was a step in the right direction, but not enough to fix the streets.
Dec 3, 2025 ·as quoted by the Steele County Times ·Steele County Times · Dec 3, 2025
On the record
Voted yes on accepting Ulland Brothers' low bids to mill and overlay Memorial Drive and 4th Ave SW (passed unanimously, April 2026).
Apr 13, 2026 ·City of Blooming Prairie · Apr 13, 2026
Voted yes on authorizing Stantec to draft a feasibility study for the 2027 street repair project (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Sep 14, 2026 ·City of Blooming Prairie · Sep 14, 2026
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