Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Cohasset City Council Election 2026
2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 3 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
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How to vote · 11 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council
Vote for up to 2- Andy HaarklauIncumbentCouncilor; seeking reelection10sourced
- Richard Lee Kortekaas Sr.Candidate for Cohasset City Council in November 2026.2sourced
- Samuel SouleEnvironment system operator at the Boswell Energy Center in Cohasset. He has lived in Cohasset all his life.4sourced
- Kevin TinquistIncumbentCouncilor; seeking reelection13sourced
Voters citywide choose two council members from four candidates; Mayor Josh Casper is the only candidate for mayor.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Amy Klobuchar · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Lisa Demuth · Republican
- Steven Young · Green
- U.S. Senate
- Peggy Flanagan · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Michele Tafoya · Republican
- Marisa Simonetti · Independent
- Rebecca Whiting · Libertarian
- Also statewideSecretary of State · State Auditor · Attorney General · Associate Justice - Supreme Court · Judge - Court of Appeals
- Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
012027 budget and property tax levy4 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set a preliminary levy after budget talks that leaned toward a 3.54% increase.
What's on the tableThe final levy, due to the county by Dec. 28, 2026; it can go down from the preliminary levy but not up.
- Projected 2027 expenditures were expected to increase 9.71% overall. City of Cohasset · Sep 8, 2026
- Of two levy scenarios, a 2.83% increase was found insufficient, and the participants reached consensus on a 3.54% target. City of Cohasset · Sep 8, 2026
- The Truth-in-Taxation public hearing was proposed for Dec. 14, 2026, and the final levy must be submitted by Dec. 28, 2026. City of Cohasset · Aug 19, 2026
- The levy collected in 2026 rose 1.91%. Grand Rapids Herald-Review · Jan 5, 2026
02Plowing private roads3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city plows five private roads for a flat fee; the council voted to keep plowing them this winter and stop as of March 31, 2027.
What's on the tableWhether to keep that end date or set a new policy or fees for private roads.
- The city contracts to plow five private roads, and the fully loaded cost was estimated at about $112.98 per hour. City of Cohasset · Sep 14, 2026
- Private contractors charge between $90 and $100 per plow, and the city's existing fee is $500 a year. City of Cohasset · Sep 28, 2026
- Residents of the affected roads voiced worries about short notice for changes as winter approaches. City of Cohasset · Sep 28, 2026
03New housing3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city has sought developers for multifamily housing on the old trailer park property and heard a concept for small homes on a city-owned lot.
What's on the tableWhich housing proposals to back, including zoning changes, tax increment financing and grant applications.
- The old trailer park property can hold up to two hundred units with its existing single entrance. City of Cohasset · May 11, 2026
- A developer proposed small single-family homes of about 1,000 square feet on a 5-acre city-owned lot behind the cemetery. City of Cohasset · Sep 28, 2026
- Current zoning requires lots of 0.67 acres with sewer connections, so that plan would need major zoning amendments. City of Cohasset · Sep 28, 2026
04Water fund and rates3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe water fund is running a deficit, and staff plan to propose small, phased rate increases.
What's on the tableWhether and how fast to raise water and sewer rates.
- The Water Fund has a negative operating position of $74,000 and a fund balance of about $155,000, which puts it at risk of insolvency. City of Cohasset · Sep 8, 2026
- Construction water rates of $20 per 1,000 gallons are considered too low. City of Cohasset · Sep 8, 2026
- The water tower needs maintenance in the next 3 to 5 years. City of Cohasset · Jun 22, 2026
05Jobs and business development2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city adopted a small business loan program in 2026 and is marketing its industrial park and Blackwater development site.
What's on the tableHow much city money and staff time to put into loans, grants and site work to attract business.
- The council approved the Cohasset Small Business Partnership Loan Program Policy and a $24,000 loan to Blackwater Equipment Rentals LLC in August 2026. City of Cohasset · Aug 24, 2026
- The council approved applying for a $174,400 Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation grant for the Industrial Park Dovetail Boulevard North Site. City of Cohasset · Jun 22, 2026
1 note on these statements
Andy Haarklau, Richard Lee Kortekaas Sr. and Kevin Tinquist did not respond to the KAXE candidate questionnaire. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
No sign-in · answers stay on your phone
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. Should the city keep plowing private roads?
2. Should Cohasset actively seek developers for new housing on city land?
3. Should the city lend money to local businesses?
Key dates
- Early voting by absentee ballot, by mail or in person beginsMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Sep 18, 2026
- Pre-registration deadline for the General ElectionMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
- Election DayMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Shannon Benolken, Josh Casper, Andy MacDonell2 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The council is made up of a mayor and four councilors, and the mayor votes on council motions. City of Cohasset · Sep 28, 2026
- Council members win four-year terms that begin in January. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
- Councilors have no individual authority and can act only as part of the council. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
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