Caledonia City Council · Nov 3, 2026
John
Rauk
John Rauk, the incumbent, is running for Caledonia City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 4 candidates are running for 2 seats.
Not sure who to vote for? Answer a few questions and see which Caledonia candidates agree with you, and why.
No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone. Report an error
The race · City Council
- 01David FitzpatrickIncumbent
- 02John RaukYou’re reading
- 03Shelley Sheehan
- 04Taylor Skauge
Background
- About
- Retired after about 30 years teaching at Michigan State; appointed to the City Council to fill a vacancy. He volunteers for the Houston County Historical Society.
On the record: John Rauk
15 sourced01Transmission line2 sourced positions
Said the city needs to take a stand against the Gopher to Badger Link transmission line, for residents and affected farms.
We need to take a stand against that, for ourselves and for the farms that are affected”
Own statementCaledonia Argus · Oct 6, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-14 opposing the Gopher to Badger Link transmission line (unanimous, October 2026).
Council voteCaledonia Argus · Oct 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Zoning1 sourced position
Made a motion to pursue a moratorium on accessory buildings (October 2026).
Council voteCaledonia Argus · Oct 14, 2026Link
03Property taxes2 sourced positions
Said the council set the preliminary levy at 9.98%, compared with last year's 12%, and welcomed that the city is not in significant debt.
One thing that I’m very happy to see coming in here is the city is not in any significant in debt, and that is very healthy.”
Own statementCaledonia Argus · Oct 6, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-13 setting a 9.98% preliminary levy increase for 2027 (passed 4-0, September 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, Sept. 28, 2026 · Sep 28, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Warrior Avenue2 sourced positions
Said he wants to keep contributing to Warrior Avenue, the Winnebago Street improvements and a possible Doering Estates Part Two.
There are a lot of things in motion right now”
Own statementCaledonia Argus · Oct 6, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-11 awarding the $1,024,205.72 North Warrior Avenue Extension contract to Griffin Construction (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, Aug. 10, 2026 · Aug 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Sewer and flooding2 sourced positions
Said the council will study an area heavily affected by flooded basements to see if sewer pipes are leaking.
A number of people are upset by flooded basements.”
Own statementCaledonia Argus · Oct 6, 2026Link
Voted yes on a $45,420 quote from Subsurface Inc. to line the sewer main under MN44 (passed 5-0, September 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, Sept. 14, 2026 · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Utility rates2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a water and sewer utility rate evaluation by SEH Inc., not to exceed $30,400 (passed 4-0, July 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Option 2.A residential and recommended commercial electric rate increases effective April 1 (passed 4-0, February 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, Feb. 9, 2026 · Feb 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Housing1 sourced position
Voted yes on a conditional use permit to convert the nursing home at 505 Badger St N into rental housing (passed 4-0, May 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Downtown1 sourced position
Voted yes on installing parking lines downtown (passed 4-0, May 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Public safety center1 sourced position
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-06 supporting a local option sales tax for a public safety center (passed 4-0, February 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, Feb. 23, 2026 · Feb 23, 2026LinkHow the council voted
10Library1 sourced position
Voted yes on accepting Chuck Schulte's proposal to donate $125,000 for a future library lot (passed 4-0, January 2026).
Council voteCaledonia City Council minutes, Jan. 12, 2026 · Jan 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
John Rauk: their words and their votes on the same issue
Transmission line
In their words
Said the city needs to take a stand against the Gopher to Badger Link transmission line, for residents and affected farms.
Oct 6, 2026 ·Caledonia Argus · Oct 6, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-14 opposing the Gopher to Badger Link transmission line (unanimous, October 2026).
Oct 14, 2026 ·Caledonia Argus · Oct 14, 2026
Sewer and flooding
In their words
Said the council will study an area heavily affected by flooded basements to see if sewer pipes are leaking.
Oct 6, 2026 ·Caledonia Argus · Oct 6, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on a $45,420 quote from Subsurface Inc. to line the sewer main under MN44 (passed 5-0, September 2026).
Sep 14, 2026 ·Caledonia City Council minutes, Sept. 14, 2026 · Sep 14, 2026
Match quiz · 2 minutes · no sign-in
See which Caledonia candidates match you
Also on your Caledonia ballot
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.